680MX Benchmarks please

[marzer]

That may be, but assuming most people over-clock, doesn't that make your point somewhat moot?

No offense but your assumption would be way off. "Most" people have never even heard of over-clocking, and of the minority of that has, many only know of it but never attempted it.

I think a more accurate assumption would be: of the people who overclock, the majority are probably overclocking higher end desktop GPU's.

 

[dogbone66]

No offense but your assumption would be way off. "Most" people have never even heard of over-clocking, and of the minority of that has, many only know of it but never attempted it.

I think a more accurate assumption would be: of the people who overclock, the majority are probably overclocking higher end desktop GPU's.

Fair enough, and that is really what I meant of course. So let me put it another way. It's equal to a 660ti that's not over-clocked, but then again if you had a 660ti you would over-clock it. It would be another story if you couldn't over-clock a 660ti, so then an over-clocked 680mx would be equal, but assuming you can over-clock these other cards, they're still the same percentage better than the 680mx. So making these comparisons seems a little moot to me. But I meant no offense, sorry if it sounded that way.

When I over-clocked my card I wasn't impressed but that's probably the game I was playing and the difference may be much more apparent in other games. So i'll try again.

 

[ppd8472]

Fair enough, and that is really what I meant of course. So let me put it another way. It's equal to a 660ti that's not over-clocked, but then again if you had a 660ti you would over-clock it. It would be another story if you couldn't over-clock a 660ti, so then an over-clocked 680mx would be equal, but assuming you can over-clock these other cards, they're still the same percentage better than the 680mx. So making these comparisons seems a little moot to me. But I meant no offense, sorry if it sounded that way.

When I over-clocked my card I wasn't impressed but that's probably the game I was playing and the difference may be much more apparent in other games. So i'll try again.

Yeah, I completely understand your point. I was just pleasantly surprised at the 680MX's amount of power, considering it truly is a mobile GPU. Also, I over-clocked it, and it now is hitting a bit over 16,000. So yeah, it's not too shabby if you're a casual gamer - which most iMac users are. We all know if all you love to do is game, it's substantially more cost effective to just build a "desktop" gaming system. However, there are caveats to that - as I used to do just that. From excessive heat & power consumption, to the constant driver problems that can arise, to the simple fact that if something goes wrong you have to pull apart the system and pray that the manufacturer will help you out - which of course most do. It is a bit of a pain, and that's why I opted for the iMac.

Now, your link about the Mac Pro "Gaming Edition" seems bad ass, no lie. However, even with the base Mac Pro costing upwards of $2,500 - without the quality monitor that the iMac possesses, I can see a base "gamer" Mac Pro costing at least $2-3K - especially considering it has the costly Titan included, plus another $1K for a monitor. But again, I am excited to see if the rumors are true. It may make me a little bit jealous.

 

[Mac32]

Yep, we can overclock our 680MX, but so can people with desktop cards. However, since the 680MX is a downclocked GTX680 card (without the turbo function I would assume), the card has a very powerful chip that benefits greatly from overclocking. However there are limits to the overclocking where increased heat output starts to cancel out the positive effects of increased performance. Around +250/+375 is near that limit I think, I've stopped using +285/+425 because it's basically more heat, but no real noticable performance increase in the games I've tested so far.
Having said all that for a hardcare gamer the 680MX is a bit anemic for 1440p with great visuals AND framerates, though it's a great card for 1080p. I must say I've started to game way more than I should after I got the iMac, and I'm really frustrated that the iMac won't work as an external display for a PC. A PC with GFX Titan + the iMac screen would have been pretty awesome for more serious gaming sessions.

 

[ppd8472]

Yep, we can overclock our 680MX, but so can people with desktop cards. However, since the 680MX is in reality a downclocked GTX680 card (without the turbo function I would assume), the card has a very powerful chip that benefits greatly from overclocking. However there are limits to the overclocking where increased heat output start to cancel out the positive effects of increased performance. Around +250/+375 is near that limit I think, I've stopped using +285/+425 because it's basically more heat, but no noticable real-life performance increase in the games I've tested so far.
Having said all that for a hardcare gamer the 680MX is a bit anemic for 1440p with great visuals AND framerates, though it's a great card for 1080p. I must say I've started to game way more than I should after I got the iMac, and I'm really frustrated that the iMac won't work as an external display for a PC. A PC gaming rig with GFX Titan + the iMac screen would have been pretty awesome for more serious gaming sessions.

I can't agree more. And wow, I will have to try that over clock because as of right now the max I've done is around +130/+180. But the heat hasn't been an issue, and is actually rather cool IMO. I will try to up it a bit next time I'm in Windows. The cool thing about the iMac is that it CAN be an external display, but with one caveat...the computer must be Thunderbolt enabled. I hooked up a Mac Mini to my iMac, pressed Command-F2, and bam, it was showing the Mac Mini on the screen - I believe Apple calls it "Target Display Mode." Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

 

[dogbone66]

We all know if all you love to do is game, it's substantially more cost effective to just build a "desktop" gaming system. However, there are caveats to that - as I used to do just that.

I almost did just that because my 5770 couldn't cut it on some three year old games, let alone more recent games, and I was waiting for the new mac pro to be announced but didn't know if any better GPU would be available for it, but I couldn't wait any longer and ultimately I just couldn't justify dropping around $1000 (i7 and a 680) for a computer only for games. Plus I needed a new display and my computer was almost 7 years old, so the imac was the compromise.

I must say I've started to game way more than I should after I got the iMac,

Yea, me too and I'm kicking myself for it, I need to get more work done.

 

[Mac32]

.
Yea, me too and I'm kicking myself for it, I need to get more work done.

Sounds familiar...lol.. I've recently gotten completely lost in the STALKER games, incredible atmosphere and gameplay..spending way too much time on that. I just love gaming with that beautiful 27'' 1440p iMac screen.

 

[ppd8472]

I almost did just that because my 5770 couldn't cut it on some three year old games, let alone more recent games, and I was waiting for the new mac pro to be announced but didn't know if any better GPU would be available for it, but I couldn't wait any longer and ultimately I just couldn't justify dropping around $1000 (i7 and a 680) for a computer only for games. Plus I needed a new display and my computer was almost 7 years old, so the imac was the compromise.

I feel you entirely. I calculate that to build an i7 and a 680 gaming rig - without the awesome OSX - would bring me up to at least $1-1.5K, plus another $800 just for a decent display that somewhat rivals the iMac's. I don't mind Windows, but OSX is powers better IMO. In the end the customer service, plus OSX, plus the awesome display convinced me that the iMac was the desktop for me.

 

[talisabt]

hey guys... I'm a bit confused with people's memory overclock...

I'm running +225/+600 in afterburner..

Most people I see are running +xxx/+425.. am I the only one who can get memory up to +600?

+225/+600 has been rock stable in gaming with Mechwarrior Online for up to 8+ hours solid.. (Pushing the core to +250 gave me a reboot on a warm day after 3-4 hours..)

I'm curious what people think of this and the huge memory overclock possible.

 

[WilliamG]

I feel you entirely. I calculate that to build an i7 and a 680 gaming rig - without the awesome OSX - would bring me up to at least $1-1.5K, plus another $800 just for a decent display that somewhat rivals the iMac's. I don't mind Windows, but OSX is powers better IMO. In the end the customer service, plus OSX, plus the awesome display convinced me that the iMac was the desktop for me.

Bear in mind when you're gaming you're not even using the awesome OS X.

I've probably spent more time in Windows than OS X since getting my new iMac! Darn those awesome games...!

 

[ppd8472]

Bear in mind when you're gaming you're not even using the awesome OS X.

I've probably spent more time in Windows than OS X since getting my new iMac! Darn those awesome games...!

I know! I feel you here. I have a month of from classes, and I've spent a good bit of time in Windows just playing games. It really blows me away how powerful the 680MX truly is.

But once I need to do something constructive comes up, OSX is booted

What games are you playing? Personally I am playing Metro: Last Light, and Nvidia's GeForce Experience software has me gaming with really great settings at 1440p.

 

[WilliamG]

I know! I feel you here. I have a month of from classes, and I've spent a good bit of time in Windows just playing games. It really blows me away how powerful the 680MX truly is.

But once I need to do something constructive comes up, OSX is booted

What games are you playing? Personally I am playing Metro: Last Light, and Nvidia's GeForce Experience software has me gaming with really great settings at 1440p.

Where do I start? Torchlight 2 (which actually runs very well in Parallels, but still..), Dishonored, Need for Speed Most Wanted (absolutely astonishing-looking game) etc. Lots of stuff. I'm a Steam addict.

 

[loki101]

Where do I start? Torchlight 2 (which actually runs very well in Parallels, but still..), Dishonored, Need for Speed Most Wanted (absolutely astonishing-looking game) etc. Lots of stuff. I'm a Steam addict.

Where do I start...

Games I've completed since getting my iMac:

Sleeping Dogs
Battlefield 3
Tomb Raider
Crysis 2
Max Payne 3
Metro: Last Light

Games I'm playing/still need to get to:

Farcry 3
DmC (Devil May Cry)
Need For Speed Most Wanted
Assasin's Creed 3
Bioshock Infinite
Crysis 3
Batman: Arkham City
Darksiders 2
Starcraft 2
Deadspace 3
The Darkness II
Spec Ops: The Line
Deadlight
Gemini Rue
Resonance
Bastion
Torchlight 2
Mark of the Ninja
To The Moon
Hotline Miami

Suffice to say, I've been spending a lot of time playing games since I got my iMac, it's freaking awesome!

 

[Mac32]

I recommend the STALKER games. These games are my all time favourites. Best ever atmosphere, and with the right mods the graphics are stunning. Playing Clear Sky now, and it has probably my favourite graphics so far in a computer game. (Crysis 3 might have more bells and whistles, but STALKER has such a open, dynamic and detailed world with a full day/night cycle, all kinds of different weather, unpredictable NPC interactions and battles. This is how a great shooter should be, not like the usual linear, scripted game on rails with a hand holding HUD.) The STALKER games are quite cheap on Steam, great value.

 

[Hakiroto]

I recommend the STALKER games. These games are my all time favourites. Best ever atmosphere, and with the right mods the graphics are stunning. Playing Clear Sky now, and it has probably my favourite graphics so far in a computer game. (Crysis 3 might have more bells and whistles, but STALKER has such a open, dynamic and detailed world with a full day/night cycle, all kinds of different weather, unpredictable NPC interactions and battles. This is how a great shooter should be, not like the usual linear, scripted game on rails with a hand holding HUD.) The STALKER games are quite cheap on Steam, great value.

Thanks for reminding me about STALKER. I used to own the original but I've not played it for a long time. Out of interest, what mods are you using? I might have to take another look...

 

[Mac32]

Thanks for reminding me about STALKER. I used to own the original but I've not played it for a long time. Out of interest, what mods are you using? I might have to take another look...

Oh, finding the right mods for STALKER is a whole science of its own.
IMO the right mods are absolutely necessary to get the best gaming experience with STALKER. OK, here are my favourites in correct installation order for a (more or less) vanilla playthrough:

SoC: Complete incl. realistic gun mod, Photorealistic Zone 2 + shader addon, Absolute Nature

CS: Complete incl. realistic gun mod, Absolute Structures, Absolute Nature

CoP: Absolute Structures, Absolute Nature, Darius6 sound overhaul, Atmosfear, FOV Switcher (choose 67.5)

For all games: Install 3gb enabler (found via Complete mod page) and use xrpatch (install ActivePerl) for increasing the vegetation/grass draw line. 125 meters is a good value. (In SoC you might get some flickering when using the xrpatch.) All these mods blends very well with the original game and game art. Choose the highest resolution textures when installing the mods.

 

[dogbone66]

Where do I start...

Games I've completed since getting my iMac:

Sleeping Dogs
Battlefield 3
Tomb Raider
Crysis 2
Max Payne 3
Metro: Last Light

Games I'm playing/still need to get to:

Farcry 3
DmC (Devil May Cry)
Need For Speed Most Wanted
Assasin's Creed 3
Bioshock Infinite
Crysis 3
Batman: Arkham City
Darksiders 2
Starcraft 2
Deadspace 3
The Darkness II
Spec Ops: The Line
Deadlight
Gemini Rue
Resonance
Bastion
Torchlight 2
Mark of the Ninja
To The Moon
Hotline Miami

Suffice to say, I've been spending a lot of time playing games since I got my iMac, it's freaking awesome!

Jeesh, sounds like me. I've bought a bunch of games on Steam that I haven't played yet. I've been meaning to get to them but I got addicted to a couple games and ended up spending way more time on them than I should have. Plus, I really beat myself up if I spend more than an hour or two a day playing games, I feel so unproductive.

Regarding Stalker, I bought the Shadow of Chernobyl and Call of Pripyat and started to play the first one, but the graphics were just to dated (2007) for me to be able to get into the game. I know that shouldn't matter, but it does. For me It's like trying to watch an old Dr. Who episode, the story might be great but the special effects, or lack thereof, stop me from being able to suspending disbelief. I want to like the old show, but I cant watch it. Call of Pripyat should be visually much better so hopefully I can get into that game. Mods, that is something I haven't played around with, need to look into that. Mac32, you once mentioned mods for Crysis, any other particularly good mods for various games you would recommend?

 

[WilliamG]

Regarding Stalker, I bought the Shadow of Chernobyl and Call of Pripyat and started to play the first one, but the graphics were just to dated (2007) for me to be able to get into the game. I know that shouldn't matter, but it does.

It really, REALLY matters. If you played the game when it first came out, it's much easier (though still not always simple) to go back and play an older title you loved. If you NEVER played it when it came out...? Boy..., it's painful going back. Some games people loved I simply cannot play today because they feel so dated.

 

[Mac32]

It really, REALLY matters. If you played the game when it first came out, it's much easier (though still not always simple) to go back and play an older title you loved. If you NEVER played it when it came out...? Boy..., it's painful going back. Some games people loved I simply cannot play today because they feel so dated.

I disagree. First of all, STALKER was flawed when released, but a huge mod community took it upon themselves to fix the game. So now we have STALKER with better graphics, shaders, AI, almost no bugs etc. IMO the STALKER games represent how action shooters should be, unpredictable, deep, immersive, very atmospheric and open-ended, and an interactive world with stunning visuals and proper weather and day/night cycle.

Secondly, I really dislike how consolitis has taken over PC games. Just look at almost any recent AAA title. The games are just too easy, the user is handheld through the entire experience with an intrusive hud, the game is dumbed down with poor AI, very linear gameplay, pointing arrows (look here 100m to next level) etc. iMO there is a lot more to games than graphics, though the STALKER games have great visuals. The big game companies spend so much money and efforts on graphics, that gameplay and other parts of the game often suffer/are dumbed down.

 

[dogbone66]

Secondly, I really dislike how consolitis has taken over PC games. Just look at almost any recent AAA title. The games are just too easy, the user is handheld through the entre experience with an intrusive hud, the game is dumbed down with poor AI, very linear gameplay, pointing arrows (look here 100m to next level) etc. iMO there is a lot more to games than graphics, though the STALKER games have great visuals. The big game companies spend so much money and effort on graphics, that gameplay and other parts of the game often suffer/are dumbed down.

I couldn't agree more, hence trying Stalker. But 10 minutes into the game and the disappointment with the visuals was too much for me. But modding the game, which I wasn't aware of, may be the answer. I remember the original Deus Ex was great and last year I played Human revolution which I thought was pretty good. I played about 20 minutes of the Black Ops campaign and had to stop, totally mindless. Same with the Battlefield 3 campaign, ugh.

 

[Mac32]

I couldn't agree more, hence trying Stalker. But 10 minutes into the game and the disappointment with the visuals was too much for me. But modding the game, which I wasn't aware of, may be the answer. I remember the original Deus Ex was great and last year I played Human revolution which I thought was pretty good. I played about 20 minutes of the Black Ops campaign and had to stop, totally mindless. Same with the Battlefield 3 campaign, ugh.

Well, STALKER starts off a bit underwhelming. You're thrown into this world with a lot of questions, and have weak weapons/armor in the beginning. I recommend to stay with it though, the payoff is huge. With the mods I mentioned the game will look much better, but the visual style and identity of the game is retained... only better/higher resolution textures and more advanced shaders/effects.

 

[Hakiroto]

I think some screenshots of the updated STALKER would go down well right about now...

 

[WilliamG]

I think some screenshots of the updated STALKER would go down well right about now...

Was thinking the same thing. Original STALKER is as dated as it comes (well.. OK I just played the original Shadow Warrior - free on Steam right now, and that's more dated...)

 

[Mac32]

You can check out video clips on youtube...

 

[WilliamG]

Well, Nvidia just announced new mobile GPUs, so I wonder how long it will be till the GTX 780MX-refreshed iMac is announced.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/30/4375572/nvidia-geforce-gtx-laptop-graphics-launch-specs

Note the laptops are only GTX 780M, not GTX 780MX. Interestingly, the GTX 780M looks be the same speed/clock/cores/bandwidth as the GTX 680MX, but available with up to 4GB memory. That would be one heck of a gaming laptop!