Which Hackintosh CPU to Buy in 2023?

Selecting the right CPU is essential if you’re looking to build a Hackintosh. While there are a variety of CPUs on the market, not all are suitable for use in a Hackintosh. In this article, we’ll cover the best CPUs for Hackintosh builds and provide some tips to help you make the right choice.

Intel or AMD

Regarding CPUs for Hackintosh builds, Intel CPUs are generally preferred. They are known to cause fewer issues and work reliably across all systems. However, this doesn’t mean AMD CPUs can’t work with Hackintosh builds. With the appropriate patches, some AMD CPUs can be used. But if you want to minimize the potential for issues, an Intel CPU is the safer choice.

Integrated GPU

Another essential factor to consider is the integrated graphics of the CPU. If you’re using a CPU with integrated graphics, it can make it easier to set up your Hackintosh. However, it’s worth noting that integrated graphics of the 11, 12, and 13 generations can only be utilized in Linux and Windows. Suppose you’re choosing a CPU without integrated graphics or with an iGPU of these generations. In that case, you’ll need a compatible dedicated graphics card.

Cores and threads

In addition to integrated graphics, you should consider the CPU’s number of cores and threads. More can be helpful if you run multiple applications simultaneously or use your Hackintosh for video editing, 3D rendering, or other CPU-intensive tasks. However, it’s important to note that some systems can utilize up to 32 cores / 16 threads. So if you’re choosing a powerful CPU with more than 32 cores, some of those cores will have to be disabled.

Other factors

When selecting a CPU for your Hackintosh build, it’s also essential to check the compatibility with the motherboard socket type, chipset, RAM type and BIOS version. It is also important to know what version of the operating system you are planning to run. This can help ensure you choose a CPU that works well. Additionally, you can reach out to us directly for a consultation.

In conclusion, when selecting a CPU for your Hackintosh build, it’s essential to consider factors such as the manufacturer, integrated graphics, number of cores and threads, compatibility with macOS, and your use case for the machine. Considering these factors, you can choose a CPU that will work well with your Hackintosh build and provide the needed performance.

Our Recommended Hackintosh Processors

ImageTitleSummaryCategoriesLink
Core i7-9700F
Core i7-9700F

3.0 Ghz / 8 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-9700KF
Core i7-9700KF

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 95W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-9700K
Core i7-9700K

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 95W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-9700
Core i7-9700

3.0 Ghz / 8 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-9900KS
Core i9-9900KS

4.0 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 127W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-9900KF
Core i9-9900KF

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 8MB L3 Cache / 95W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-9900K
Core i9-9900K

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 8MB L3 Cache / 95W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-9900
Core i9-9900

3.1 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 8MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1151 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-9980XE
Core i9-9980XE

3.0 Ghz / 18 Cores / 36 Threads / 24.75MB L3 Cache / 165W Max TDP / FCLGA2066 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10100F
Core i3-10100F

3.6 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 6MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10100
Core i3-10100

3.6 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 6MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10105F
Core i3-10105F

3.7 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 6MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10105
Core i3-10105

3.7 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 6MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10300
Core i3-10300

3.7 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 8MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-10305
Core i3-10305

3.8 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 8MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10400F
Core i5-10400F

2.9 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10400
Core i5-10400

2.9 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10500
Core i5-10500

3.1 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10600KF
Core i5-10600KF

4.1 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10600K
Core i5-10600K

4.1 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-10600
Core i5-10600

3.3 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2666 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-10700K
Core i7-10700K

3.8 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-10700KF
Core i7-10700KF

3.8 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-10700F
Core i7-10700F

2.9 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-10700
Core i7-10700

2.9 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-10900K
Core i9-10900K

3.7 Ghz / 10 Cores / 20 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-10900KF
Core i9-10900KF

3.7 Ghz / 10 Cores / 20 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-10900F
Core i9-10900F

2.8 Ghz / 10 Cores / 20 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-10900
Core i9-10900

2.8 Ghz / 10 Cores / 20 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 2933 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-11400
Core i5-11400

2.6 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-11500
Core i5-11500

2.7 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-11600KF
Core i5-11600KF

3.9 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-11600K
Core i5-11600K

3.9 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-11600
Core i5-11600

2.8 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-11700KF
Core i7-11700KF

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-11700K
Core i7-11700K

3.6 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-11700F
Core i7-11700F

2.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-11700
Core i7-11700

2.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-11900KF
Core i9-11900KF

3.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-11900K
Core i9-11900K

3.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-11900F
Core i9-11900F

2.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-11900
Core i9-11900

2.5 Ghz / 8 Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1200 / DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-12100F
Core i3-12100F

3.3 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 58W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i3-12100
Core i3-12100

3.3 Ghz / 4 Cores / 8 Threads / 12MB L3 Cache / 60W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-12600KF
Core i5-12600KF

3.7 Ghz / 10 Cores / 16 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-12600K
Core i5-12600K

3.7 Ghz / 10 Cores / 16 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-12600
Core i5-12600

3.3 Ghz / 6 Cores / 12 Threads / 18MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-12700KF
Core i7-12700KF

3.6 Ghz / 12(8+4) Cores / 20 Threads / 35MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-12700K
Core i7-12700K

3.6 Ghz / 12(8+4) Cores / 20 Threads / 35MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-12700F
Core i7-12700F

2.1 Ghz / 12(8+4) Cores / 20 Threads / 35MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-12700
Core i7-12700

2.1 Ghz / 12(8+4) Cores / 20 Threads / 35MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-12900F
Core i9-12900F

2.4 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 30 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-12900KF
Core i9-12900KF

3.2 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 30 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-12900KS
Core i9-12900KS

3.4 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 30 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 150W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K

3.2 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 30 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-12900
Core i9-12900

2.4 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 30 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-13400F
Core i5-13400F

2.5 Ghz / 10(6+4) Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-13400
Core i5-13400

2.5 Ghz / 10(6+4) Cores / 16 Threads / 16MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-13500
Core i5-13500

2.5 Ghz / 14(6+8) Cores / 20 Threads / 20MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-13600KF
Core i5-13600KF

3.5 Ghz / 14(6+8) Cores / 20 Threads / 24MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i5-13600K
Core i5-13600K

3.5 Ghz / 14(6+8) Cores / 20 Threads / 24MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-13700KF
Core i7-13700KF

3.4 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 24 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-13700K
Core i7-13700K

3.4 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 24 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-13700F
Core i7-13700F

2.1 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 24 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i7-13700
Core i7-13700

2.1 Ghz / 16(8+8) Cores / 24 Threads / 30MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-13900KS
Core i9-13900KS

3.2 Ghz / 24(8+16) Cores / 32 Threads / 36MB L3 Cache / 150W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-13900KF
Core i9-13900KF

3.0 Ghz / 24(8+16) Cores / 32 Threads / 36MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-13900
Core i9-13900

2.0 Ghz / 24(8+16) Cores / 32 Threads / 36MB L3 Cache / 65W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs
Core i9-13900K
Core i9-13900K

3.0 Ghz / 24(8+16) Cores / 32 Threads / 36MB L3 Cache / 125W Max TDP / FCLGA1700 / Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

CPUs

Anti-Hackintosh CPUs

The AMD CPUs can work, however, we don’t recommend getting them for your Hackintosh build as they may cause issues with software, and require extensive patching.
The CPUs that are too old or too new may not be supported. If you are not sure whether your CPU can work, contact us for a free build compatibility check.

Building Hackintosh in 2023? Check out our other in-depth recommendations: