Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
It’s alive! 💀⚡️ In this video I resurrect a 2009 Mac Pro 5,1 into the ultimate 2025 *budget gaming rig* with SteamOS and a RX 6800 XT or cheaper GPU. Don't sell or even worse trash that old Mac Pro just yet!
This install breaths new life into a your old Mac Pro turning it into a FrankenMac dedicated gaming rig Monster! Ahhahahaha!!!
⚙️ Build Highlights: What I use in the video and links.
• Mac Pro 5,1 2009 Xeon 5690s 12 core (must have Mojave firmware update for bootable NVMe)
• AMD RX 6800 XT GPU with Pixlas Mod or cheaper options RX6800 non XT, (no pixlas mod needed) RX6600, RX5700XT
house of moth pixals mod video youtu.be/VhFg1Xcv9E4?si=cvuAEXNGjeldu85w
You can go full power to RX6950XT with Pixlas Mod only. (make sure it fits in lenght 306mm max
but it is overkill for the old CPUs you may see a 7 to 10 percent boots.
• SteamOS (HoloISO) install links below (use at your own risk) in directions section 👇
Amazon links for buils
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive (cheaper options out there
as this will not run more than 1500MBs with generic PCIe NVMe card
amzn.to/4dRh06d
Basic PCIe NVMe card
amzn.to/4ktMoKj
27inch KTC 1440p 100Hz cheap gaming monitor $124
amzn.to/3HutTa2
🔥 Whether you're a retro Mac fan or just want a killer gaming machine without breaking the bank, this build is shockingly good.
👇 Chapters
0:00 Intro FrankenMac Ressurection
0:57 Start of main video
02:08 Boot into Steam OS
IMPORTANT!
Don’t install it on the same drive as opencore if you are thinking about it
This will erase the drive, put it on a separate drive and remove open core
Drive during the install process. Opencore is not needed you can run SteamOS
All on it’s own but you can install it with opencore if you make sure not to install it onto
a different drive, best to not risk it.
🔧How to install STEAM OS Links and basics I will most likely make a follow up video.
STEAM OS LINK HOLOiso USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
✅1. Download HOLOiso file
cd2.holoiso.ru.eu.org/holoiso-installer/rel
Holoiso on Github
github.com/HoloISO/releases/releases/tag/1.3
✅2. Download BalenaEtcher. Flash ISO to USB thumb drive:
Use this app, select the ios file and flash it to the thumb drive
etcher.balena.io
3. Prep Mac Pro 5,1:
• Installed NVMe SSD in slot 3
• I Kept Titan Ridge in slot 4 9have not tested it yet)
• Used RX 580 for install but didn’t need to could have been rx6800xt
• Plugged in USB stick, wired mouse/keyboard, monitor via DisplayPort or hdmi, plugin
ethernet, wifi should also work.
4. Boot to USB Installer:
• Held Option at boot
• Selected EFI Boot (if you don't have a boot screen let go of option after 30 seconds post boot chime hit enter and the Mac should find the OS and start to boot.
• Saw verbose Linux boot messages (normal)
• Reached KDE Plasma live session
5. Connected to Internet:
• Network recognized, SteamOS environment loaded
6. Install HoloISO:
• Selected “Install HoloISO on this Device”
• Chose only NVMe SSD (no dual-boot)
• Created new username, user password, and root password
⚠️ Note: Don’t use Steam credentials here
7. First Boot:
• Removed USB drive
• System booted into SteamOS successfully
• Entered Steam Deck interface (Big Picture Mode)
• Set up Steam login using QR code download a game and play!
🧪 Subscribe for more weird & wonderful Mac stuff:
👉 youtube.com/@MacSoundSolutions
#MacPro #SteamOS #GamingPC #BudgetBuild #MacGaming #RX6800XT #2025Gaming Check out all my links and storefronts! beacons.ai/macsoundsolutions
Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thanks for supporting the channel!
It’s alive! 💀⚡️ In this video I resurrect a 2009 Mac Pro 5,1 into the ultimate 2025 *budget gaming rig* with SteamOS and a RX 6800 XT or cheaper GPU. Don't sell or even worse trash that old Mac Pro just yet!
This install breaths new life into a your old Mac Pro turning it into a FrankenMac dedicated gaming rig Monster! Ahhahahaha!!!
⚙️ Build Highlights: What I use in the video and links.
• Mac Pro 5,1 2009 Xeon 5690s 12 core (must have Mojave firmware update for bootable NVMe)
• AMD RX 6800 XT GPU with Pixlas Mod or cheaper options RX6800 non XT, (no pixlas mod needed) RX6600, RX5700XT
house of moth pixals mod video youtu.be/VhFg1Xcv9E4?si=cvuAEXNGjeldu85w
You can go full power to RX6950XT with Pixlas Mod only. (make sure it fits in lenght 306mm max
but it is overkill for the old CPUs you may see a 7 to 10 percent boots.
• SteamOS (HoloISO) install links below (use at your own risk) in directions section 👇
Amazon links for buils
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive (cheaper options out there
as this will not run more than 1500MBs with generic PCIe NVMe card
amzn.to/4dRh06d
Basic PCIe NVMe card
amzn.to/4ktMoKj
27inch KTC 1440p 100Hz cheap gaming monitor $124
amzn.to/3HutTa2
🔥 Whether you're a retro Mac fan or just want a killer gaming machine without breaking the bank, this build is shockingly good.
👇 Chapters
0:00 Intro FrankenMac Ressurection
0:57 Start of main video
02:08 Boot into Steam OS
IMPORTANT!
Don’t install it on the same drive as opencore if you are thinking about it
This will erase the drive, put it on a separate drive and remove open core
Drive during the install process. Opencore is not needed you can run SteamOS
All on it’s own but you can install it with opencore if you make sure not to install it onto
a different drive, best to not risk it.
🔧How to install STEAM OS Links and basics I will most likely make a follow up video.
STEAM OS LINK HOLOiso USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
✅1. Download HOLOiso file
cd2.holoiso.ru.eu.org/holoiso-installer/rel
Holoiso on Github
github.com/HoloISO/releases/releases/tag/1.3
✅2. Download BalenaEtcher. Flash ISO to USB thumb drive:
Use this app, select the ios file and flash it to the thumb drive
etcher.balena.io
3. Prep Mac Pro 5,1:
• Installed NVMe SSD in slot 3
• I Kept Titan Ridge in slot 4 9have not tested it yet)
• Used RX 580 for install but didn’t need to could have been rx6800xt
• Plugged in USB stick, wired mouse/keyboard, monitor via DisplayPort or hdmi, plugin
ethernet, wifi should also work.
4. Boot to USB Installer:
• Held Option at boot
• Selected EFI Boot (if you don't have a boot screen let go of option after 30 seconds post boot chime hit enter and the Mac should find the OS and start to boot.
• Saw verbose Linux boot messages (normal)
• Reached KDE Plasma live session
5. Connected to Internet:
• Network recognized, SteamOS environment loaded
6. Install HoloISO:
• Selected “Install HoloISO on this Device”
• Chose only NVMe SSD (no dual-boot)
• Created new username, user password, and root password
⚠️ Note: Don’t use Steam credentials here
7. First Boot:
• Removed USB drive
• System booted into SteamOS successfully
• Entered Steam Deck interface (Big Picture Mode)
• Set up Steam login using QR code download a game and play!
🧪 Subscribe for more weird & wonderful Mac stuff:
👉 youtube.com/@MacSoundSolutions
#MacPro #SteamOS #GamingPC #BudgetBuild #MacGaming #RX6800XT #2025Gaming Check out all my links and storefronts! beacons.ai/macsoundsolutions
Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thanks for supporting the channel!
