Best Gaming iMac?

[Huntn]

My 1.8 G3 Tower died today. I've got a troubleshooting post over in the PPC Mac section. If there is no easy fix like a power supply replacement, my next move would be to upgrade to an iMac. Last I heard the $1999 27" iMac was the best gaming machine. I also see that it can be configured with an i7 processor. Just fishing for some opinions on the best gaming iMac. Thanks!

 

[TehFalcon]

My 1.8 G3 Tower died today. I've got a troubleshooting post over in the PPC Mac section. If there is no easy fix like a power supply replacement, my next move would be to upgrade to an iMac. Last I heard the $1999 27" iMac was the best gaming machine. I also see that it can be configured with an i7 processor. Just fishing for some opinions on the best gaming iMac. Thanks!

If your going to game dont get an iMac, or a Mac In general.

 

[savvos]

The high-end iMac is decent for gaming. Personally, I'm waiting until next month to pull the trigger since new ones with Ivy Bridge CPUs and Nvidea 680 GPUs are supposed to be coming out then.

 

[malman89]

Whatever has the best GPU, which is the 27". Even though a higher resolution may negate that increased GPU (do some research, not sure myself), you can always not run it at native res if that's the case.

Sounds like you won't be debating bang-for-buck, so buy whatever has the nicest GPU. I'd highly suggest waiting a month if you can to see if anything new is released since you can't upgrade the GPU, might as well make sure you have the latest and greatest.

 

[cluthz]

It's well over a year since the iMac was released, so it's bound to be updated soon.
Unless you really need it now, keep it calm and wait for the next release.
As others stated, if gaming is main goal, a pc would be better value for money, but the 6970M is fairly ok, but still slower than a similar priced PC.

 

[Huntn]

Thanks guys for the info! I will wait for the next generation iMac. As to the sage advice of avoiding a Mac for gaming, who exactly do you think I am? I've been using Windows for 15 years, gaming is only a small part of the things I do. I want a desktop that does both MacOS and Windows. Based on that requirement, what would you suggest?

 

[miles01110]

I want a desktop that does both MacOS and Windows. Based on that requirement, what would you suggest?

A hackintosh.

Also, it's usually better to state your requirements (e.g. for both Windows and OS X) up front.

 

[malman89]

Thanks guys for the info! I will wait for the next generation iMac. As to the sage advice of avoiding a Mac for gaming, who exactly do you think I am? I've been using Windows for 15 years, gaming is only a small part of the things I do. I want a desktop that does both MacOS and Windows. Based on that requirement, what would you suggest?

Unless your sig is dated, you have a modern 15/17" MBP aka desktop replacement. Use that solely for OS X and get a Windows gaming rig solely for gaming. There's infinitely more games for Windows anyway and then any random OS X only game you want you can run on your MBP. Even if you get a pre-built gaming rig you'll save plenty (or maybe cost the same if you upgrade it out), but get a much better machine.

 

[wazgilbert]

A hackintosh.

Also, it's usually better to state your requirements (e.g. for both Windows and OS X) up front.

I'd look at it this way - he asked which iMac was best, not which computer was best, so if you're going to go ahead and generalise, you could easily recommend to forget mac/pc and get ps3/xbox/whatever console you think's best, and it still wouldn't have helped the OP.

 

[Huntn]

I'd look at it this way - he asked which iMac was best, not which computer was best, so if you're going to go ahead and generalise, you could easily recommend to forget mac/pc and get ps3/xbox/whatever console you think's best, and it still wouldn't have helped the OP.

Asking which iMac was the best for gaming could be considered a good clue.

However I do appreciate the sincerity of the PC suggestions. I realize you guys are steering me at the fastest gaming machines, but I have more on my mind than just gaming.

 

[dr Dunkel]

Get the Mac with the best GPU, that is the most limiting factor. None out there today are really even close to good enough for what I call gaming, but the 6970M will run games at mid level settings and decent fps.

 

[Dr. McKay]

A hackintosh.

If a Hackintosh will give me the same worry-free operation of an iMac, I'm all for it, which basically means that OS X runs just as well on it as on a real Mac.
But that's not the case, I guess...

 

[Mackilroy]

If a Hackintosh will give me the same worry-free operation of an iMac, I'm all for it, which basically means that OS X runs just as well on it as on a real Mac.
But that's not the case, I guess...

Only if you're foolish about it. My hackintosh runs OS X just as well as as my Mac Pro or MacBook.

Agreed, definitely wait for Ivy Bridge and new GPUs. The current machines are nice, but there's nicer hardware ahead!

 

[wazgilbert]

Only if you're foolish about it. My hackintosh runs OS X just as well as as my Mac Pro or MacBook.

Agreed, definitely wait for Ivy Bridge and new GPUs. The current machines are nice, but there's nicer hardware ahead!

I've often wondered in the Intel hardware/Bootcamp world we now live in, could you just Bootcamp a mac pro, put in a fruity Windows supported graphics card in addition to the MacOSX compatible one and have OSX ignore it, but Windows use the bigger card for gaming? or would it be a horrible mess of swapping out cards on top of the inconvenience of rebooting?

If it worked, there's no way it would be under-par compared to a gaming rig. Expensive mind, but then it would be appealing to a power user of OSX I guess.

I look at it this way - if ^^ that worked, then I could combine a notional budget of replacing my 2007 iMac and a gaming machine into one box and have the best of both by a long shot. Or is Hackintosh really a valid option?

 

[Mackilroy]

<snip>

A hackintosh is definitely a valid option, though if you were using OS X for business I'd go with one of Apple's machines.

Otherwise, I've heard of people doing what you write above, but it was a kludge from what I remember. Could've improved, but it's been a while since I've looked.

 

[Huntn]

Only if you're foolish about it. My hackintosh runs OS X just as well as as my Mac Pro or MacBook.

Agreed, definitely wait for Ivy Bridge and new GPUs. The current machines are nice, but there's nicer hardware ahead!

I'm always up for saving money... Any good links appreciated! What's this about nicer hardware ahead? What about OSX only available from iTunes now. Any complications there I wonder? I did find this link and this. Looking over the hardware mentioned, I know I'd want a 1GB video card and of course I'd want Windows running on it too. If this is a sensitive subject, feel free to send me a PM.

 

[David085]

I'm always up for saving money... Any good links appreciated! What's this about nicer hardware ahead? What about OSX only available from iTunes now. Any complications there I wonder? If sensitive, feel free to send me a PM.

Notthing really supports the PPC now is time you upgrade to a intel one, OS X is available in the APP Store, is called a App Store, you don't download OS X from iTunes. *rolls eyes*.

 

[Mackilroy]

I'm always up for saving money... Any good links appreciated! What's this about nicer hardware ahead? What about OSX only available from iTunes now. Any complications there I wonder? I did find this link and this. Looking over the hardware mentioned, I know I'd want a 1GB video card and of course I'd want Windows running on it too. If this is a sensitive subject, feel free to send me a PM.

No, you can download Lion from the Mac App Store and then install it from a DMG. That's how I did so. I'd look at TonyMacx86 for more resources, it's a really good site for newbies.

 

[Erasmus]

I've often wondered in the Intel hardware/Bootcamp world we now live in, could you just Bootcamp a mac pro, put in a fruity Windows supported graphics card in addition to the MacOSX compatible one and have OSX ignore it, but Windows use the bigger card for gaming? or would it be a horrible mess of swapping out cards on top of the inconvenience of rebooting?

One would assume that this would be possible, but you would need some kind of switch to enable two graphics cards to output to the one monitor.

OP, surely the best gaming iMac will be the top-of-the-line iMac that will surely be released within a month or two. Otherwise, you need to determine if your MBP still pulls its own weight on the OSX side, and if you really only want a new computer to play new games at high res, as your quad MBP will still give even Ivy Bridge iMacs a run for their money in terms of CPU.

If you decide you really only want a new computer for games, a home built PC is the best way to go. If you build it right, it should be reasonably simple to hackintosh it later if you need to.

 

[0098386]

I'm running the high end 27" iMac and it's brilliant for gaming. Not sure why people are saying otherwise! Runs all my games (Just Cause 2, TF2, L4D2, Nexiuz, Portal 2, Street Fighter and SFxTekken, Rayman, CoD, Deus Ex HR etc) all at max settings, max resolution at 60fps. Under Windows of course.

Excellent machine for gaming. I'll be sticking with this for a good few years for both game playing and development.

Also: This display is incredible for games. Great colours, resolution and size.

Get the Mac with the best GPU, that is the most limiting factor. None out there today are really even close to good enough for what I call gaming, but the 6970M will run games at mid level settings and decent fps.

Massively confused by this and completely goes against my experience.

 

[mslide]

Based on that requirement, what would you suggest?

What's wrong with the MBP in your sig? Use that for your OSX needs and build a Windows PC for gaming.

Don't go out and buy a $2000 computer just because you want to have a Mac that can play games well... unless you have money to burn I guess.

 

[Huntn]

What's wrong with the MBP in your sig? Use that for your OSX needs and build a Windows PC for gaming.

Don't go out and buy a $2000 computer just because you want to have a Mac that can play games well... unless you have money to burn I guess.

Actually nothing. But I like having a desktop at home and now that Macs play Windows I see more utility in one box that does both OSs and the only thing I do on Windows is play games. However, as I said, I like to save money so this hackintosh has me interested.

For those with hackintosh knowledge, can a hackintosh be configured easily to run both the MacOS and Windows? Thanks!

 

[cluthz]

For those with hackintosh knowledge, can a hackintosh be configured easily to run both the MacOS and Windows? Thanks!

It's not much more difficult than installing linux.
But, you need to do some research before you start.
Get a mobo with good support (like a lan and audio that works out of the box (ootb).
It seems some new gigabyte has everything working ootb, even with sleep.
Most Nvidia 5xx cards work very well too and amd 68xx.
insanelymac.com or tonymacx86.com are good places to start.

I have an old Core 2 Duo with Asus P5Q Pro mobo, and GTX285, graphics worked ootb. Sound and LAN needed additional drivers same with sleep, but it was only a matter of searching the boards i talked about and installing the drivers.
THe machine has been running 100% stable.

You can run Mac OS on same drive as Windows, but it's easier to have them on separate drives, and if you build a desktop that is no issue at all.

 

[Mackilroy]

Indeed, I run both OS X and Windows on my hackintosh and I have each OS on a separate drive. The installation method I used meant I needed to disconnect the drive with OS X while installing Windows, but after that I hooked it back up and had no issues at all.

 

[edddeduck]

A hackintosh.

If you want to primarily use OS X and OS X applications I would avoid the hackintosh route. You can get them to work sure but day to day usage can sometimes be tricky with software updates requiring hacking and some software (like games) not working as the graphics card does not identify itself correctly.

If you want to use Windows mostly and revert to Mac OS X for the odd thing and are willing to wait on updates and have some issues with some products then by all means Hack away.

However for a daily machine a hackintosh is far from a "it just works" solution for your average user. If you are a bit of a hardware/software hacker already then a hackintosh will be fine. It depends on what you want and what kind of user you are.