# BIOS ## Vanilla BIOS Settings At the minimum, these BIOS settings must be made to install and run macOS without any problems: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | | --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | >> Security | >> Security Chip | Security Chip `DISABLED` | | | | >> Fingerprint | Predesktop Authentication `DISABLED` | | | | >> Secure Boot Configuration | Secure Boot `DISABLED` | | | | | Press `Clear All Secure Boot Keys` | | | | >> Intel SGX | Intel SGX Control `DISABLED` | | | >> Config | >> Network | Wake on Lan `DISABLED` | | | | | Wake on Lan from Dock `DISABLED` | | | | | UEFI IPv4 Network Stack `DISABLED` | | | | | UEFI IPv6 Network Stack `DISABLED` | | | >> Startup | UEFI/Legacy Boot `UEFI Only` | | | | | CSM Support `No` (per OpenCore Documentation) | | !!! tip You can also disable hardware/features you do not need to save power, some examples are: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | | --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | >> Security | >> I/O Port Access | Wireless WAN `DISABLED` | | | | | Fingerprint Reader `DISABLED` | | | | | Memory Card Slot `DISABLED` | | | >> Config | >> USB | Always On USB `DISABLED` | * If you **DO NOT use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug** in macOS (don't mind shutting down the machine to connect TB3 devices), this will drastically lower power consumption: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | | --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | >> Config | >> Thunderbolt (TM) 3 | Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode `Enabled` | | | | | Thunderbolt(TM) Device `Enabled` | * If you **DO use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug in macOS** (at the expense of idle power consumption): | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | | --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | >> Config | >> Thunderbolt (TM) 3 | Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode `Disabled` | | | | | Security Level `No Security` | | | | | Support in Pre Boot Environment: Thunderbolt(TM) Device `Disabled` | ## Modding the BIOS !!! danger As of of July 16th, 2021: the BIOS mod will break TPM. Hence, Windows 11 will not work. Consider this if you wish to proceed. A modded BIOS will allow for more optimizations to be made for macOS and will overall make your hackintosh better. I am a BIOS modding novice myself, but with these instructions, I was able to mod my x1c6 BIOS in less than one hour. I fully recommend doing this for all who think themselves capable. Furthermore, the default `config.plist` for this repository is meant to accommodate a modded BIOS with appropriate settings. If you cannot mod your BIOS or is unwilling to do so, use `config_unmoddedBIOS.plist`. SPI_Programmer_CH341a.jpg [SPI Programmer CH341a and SOIC8 connector](https://www.amazon.com/Organizer-Socket-Adpter-Programmer-CH341A/dp/B07R5LPTYM) are needed. Here are the steps to mod your BIOS (credits to paranoidbashthot and \x). Attempt this at your own risk. 1. Refer to [digmorepaka/thinkpad-firnware-patches](https://github.com/digmorepaka/thinkpad-firmware-patches). 2. Use `xx_80_patches-v*.txt`, I commented out WWAN patches since I do not need it. 3. [@notthebee](https://github.com/notthebee) also has a useful video to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7kqUEccUM 4. Remember to **dump the vanilla twice and use `diff` to make sure things were dumped properly**, store this backup somewhere safe. 5. Confirmed working `BIOS-v1.45`, I cannot be sure about other BIOS versions. Though they will most likely work as well. 6. The modded BIOS does not need to be signed by `thinkpad-eufi-sign`. Just **remember to replace 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FB with 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FF on the patched BIOS.** - The BIOS chip is located above the CPU, under the sticker shield:

BIOS Chip

7. Your BIOS chip may not be made by Winbond, but by Macronix instead. In that case, add the argument `-c MX25L12835F/MX25L12845E/MX25L12865E` to `flashrom`. See [Issue #116](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh/issues/116#issuecomment-778654320) - Successfully modding your BIOS will reveal the `Advance Menu` tab.

BIOS Advance Menu

8. It goes without saying, after doing this, do not update your BIOS unless you want to do this again. ## Modded BIOS Settings The following are further optimization settings that can be figured once your BIOS is modded. * These settings are universally recommended optimizations for your hackintosh: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 | |--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------| | Advanced Tab | >> Intel Advanced Menu | >> System Agent (SA) Configuration | >> Graphics Configuration | DVMT Pre-Allocated `64M` | | | | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | >> CPU Lock Configuration (Last item, scroll up/down until you see it) CFG Lock `Disabled`| * I also recommend undervolting your machine regarless of your usage, the following are stable settings for my x1c6 with `i7-8650U`, verified by stress testing with `Prime95` and `Heaven Benchmark`, your may be worse or better, please do your own testing. In addition, I suggest you repaste your machine with an aftermarket thermal paste for lower temps and a better undervolt. | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 | |--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | Advanced Tab | >> Intel Advanced Menu | >> OverClocking Performance Menu | OverClocking Feature `Enabled` | | | | | | >> Processor | Voltage Offset `100` | | | | | | Offset Prefix `-` | | | | | >> GT | GT Voltage Offset `80` | | | | | | Offset Prefix `-` | | | | | | GTU Voltage Offset `80` | | | | | | Offset Prefix `-` | | | | | >> Uncore | Uncore Voltage Offset `80`| | | | | | Offset Prefix `-` | | | | | | | * The following settings depend on your own personal preference: * If you want to optimize CPU **performance** at the cost of battery: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 | |--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Advanced Tab | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | Boot performance mode `Turbo Performance` | | | | | | >> Config TDP Configurations | `Up` | | | | | | | * If you want to optimize **battery time** at the cost of performance: | Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 | |--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Advanced Tab | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | Boot performance mode `Max Battery` | | | | | | >> Config TDP Configurations | `Down` | | | | | | |