x1c6-hackintosh/docs/1_README-HARDWAREandBIOS.md

Hardware and BIOS:

PM981:

For installation on the factory drive PM981, please refer to Issue #43. A note however, installation and upgrading on the PM981 can be problematic and troublesome. For a smoother experience, replace it with an aftermarket NVMe. For that, refer to dortania/Anti-Hackintosh-Buyers-Guide.

WiFi and Bluetooth:

Replace factory Intel WiFi module with a macOS compatible one. Make sure that the card is of M.2 form factor. I replaced it with the BCM94360CS2 card. This works out of the box without additional kexts and has been stable for me thus far.

If your laptop did not come with WWAN, you can purchase additional antennas to add to your laptop. This is useful when using WiFi/Bluetooth cards that have 3 antennas.

• The BCM94360CS2 module comes from the 2013 MacBook Air, supports BT 4.0 and 802.11a/g/n/ac. They run on eBay for <$15.
• For the BCM94360CS2 to work with the x1c6, you would also need a M.2 NGFF adapter. They run for <$10 on eBay under "BCM94360CS2 m2 adapter"
• Above is my current setup.

However, there exists other alternatives with better WiFi and Bluetooth standards, but additional kexts are required. See dortania/Wireless-Buyers-Guide.

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)

• You should also disable hardware devices 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 do want to use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug in macOS (at the expense of idle power consumption):

• NOTE: If you do have a modded BIOS firmware, please reset all settings relating to Thunderbolt 3 to default, all that's needed are settings detailed below or in 1_README-HARDWAREandBIOS.md

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:

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 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):

• Refer to http://paranoid.anal-slavery.com/biosmods/skylake.html
• Use xx_80_patches-v*.txt, I commented out WWAN patches since I do not need it.
• @notthebee also has a useful video to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7kqUEccUM
• Remember to dump the vanilla twice and use diff to make sure things were dumped properly, store this backup somewhere safe.
• Confirmed working BIOS-v1.45, I cannot be sure about other BIOS versions. Though they will most likely work as well.
• 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:
  
• 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
• Successfully modding your BIOS will reveal the Advance Menu tab:
  
• It goes without saying, after doing this, do not update your BIOS unless you want to do this again.

Finally, make sure to backup your pre-modded BIOS twice and compare the two to make sure that it was dumped properly. Furthermore, attempt this at your own risk, I am not responsible for any damages you may cause.

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