iMac and gaming

[i0Nic]

Hey guys, deciding between an Imac/macbook setup or a macbook pro/external lcd setup. I want to be able to play some games such as Age of Conan and the upcoming starcraft 2. So games that are not too 'hardcore' when it comes to graphics but still I'd like to run them fairly well.

Would the iMac with a 2600 pro 256mb card be alright? I don't think I can justify the expense of the 8800. Or the 256mb card on the macbook pro even. Trying to decide between the 2 options.

 

[italiano40]

I would go with the imac because it has a better graphic card, and you want to be on the safe side with that

 

[luffytubby]

Hey guys, deciding between an Imac/macbook setup or a macbook pro/external lcd setup. I want to be able to play some games such as Age of Conan and the upcoming starcraft 2. So games that are not too 'hardcore' when it comes to graphics but still I'd like to run them fairly well.

Would the iMac with a 2600 pro 256mb card be alright? I don't think I can justify the expense of the 8800. Or the 256mb card on the macbook pro even. Trying to decide between the 2 options.

You get what you pay for mate. Go with 8800, or if you absolutely have to... MBP.


For gaming 2600 is finished, and from this point out I think you will kick yourself because the only thing that was not up to date in your Imac was your GFX card and that cant be changed.

You have to think of it as a long term investment. Not save a few bucks now, so you can just be so dissapointed with it, that you will have thrown it out or sold it within a year.


Thats my opinion. Take note that I dont got an Imac(yet)... But Imac cant be upgraded. Better start out strong.

 

[QCassidy352]

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Hey guys, deciding between an Imac/macbook setup or a macbook pro/external lcd setup. I want to be able to play some games such as Age of Conan and the upcoming starcraft 2. So games that are not too 'hardcore' when it comes to graphics but still I'd like to run them fairly well.

Would the iMac with a 2600 pro 256mb card be alright? I don't think I can justify the expense of the 8800. Or the 256mb card on the macbook pro even. Trying to decide between the 2 options.

You get what you pay for mate. Go with 8800, or if you absolutely have to... MBP.


For gaming 2600 is finished, and from this point out I think you will kick yourself because the only thing that was not up to date in your Imac was your GFX card and that cant be changed.

You have to think of it as a long term investment. Not save a few bucks now, so you can just be so dissapointed with it, that you will have thrown it out or sold it within a year.


Thats my opinion. Take note that I dont got an Imac(yet)... But Imac cant be upgraded. Better start out strong.

the 2600 is still a good card that will run the games he wants to play. And how do you recommend a mbp if you think the 2600 is "finished for gaming?" the card in the mbp is no better.

 

[i0Nic]

Guys the reason I dont' want to go with the 8800 is because those two games will probably be the only I will play. I have an xbox 360 for gaming purposes but I'd still like to play the above PC games.

I realise that the 2600 will date quicker but honestly I'll probably only be playing starcraft 2 over the next few years, computer wise. (Big starcraft fan )

How about the iMac vs Macbook Pro (with same specs, 256mb card). Would I be losing out going with the macbook pro for any unforeseen reason?

 

[Prometheus2000]

Guys the reason I dont' want to go with the 8800 is because those two games will probably be the only I will play. I have an xbox 360 for gaming purposes but I'd still like to play the above PC games.

I realise that the 2600 will date quicker but honestly I'll probably only be playing starcraft 2 over the next few years, computer wise. (Big starcraft fan )

How about the iMac vs Macbook Pro (with same specs, 256mb card). Would I be losing out going with the macbook pro for any unforeseen reason?

As from reviews elsewhere I read that a Macbook Pro with 256 MB Nvidia 8600 has a 3Dmark06 score of around 4500 and the new iMac with Nvidia 8800 512 MB of around 8000, maybe more. Don't know about the ATI 2600.

I own the current Macbook Pro with 256 MB video card and gaming works fine so far, Crysis runs on middle setting, Company of Heroes runs with everything on high, I am looking forward to Dawn of War 2 and Starcraft....

If you want to replace your desktop and laptop, the Macbook Pro is realy great for that, you can also select the display of your choice and take your work/games anywhere....

It realy is a little beast

 

[nick9191]

Will you be playing the Mac version of starcraft 2, if you are then the 8800 will barely beat the 2600, because of terrible drivers on Nvidia's part for OS X.

 

[i0Nic]

Will you be playing the Mac version of starcraft 2, if you are then the 8800 will barely beat the 2600, because of terrible drivers on Nvidia's part for OS X.

Probably the mac version of sc2.

 

[luffytubby]

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the 2600 is still a good card that will run the games he wants to play. And how do you recommend a mbp if you think the 2600 is "finished for gaming?" the card in the mbp is no better.

okay fine...


Good luck with age of conan:/

 

[Foxile]

I don't know about Conan, but my iMac will happily play MTW2, CS:S and C&C3. Okay I can't ramp all the settings to max, but it's perfectly adequate.

But none of these get a look in these days, thanks to WoW

 

[04texag]

Age of Conan!

Good news for you, you can definitely play AoC with the Imac with the ATI 2600, as that's what I've been doing since Early Access. I have had no problems, whatsoever. True, the game could look better on a better custom PC, but I have no crashing issues which tons of people with hardcore systems have been griping about.

Just this weekend, by following OC'n advice on this forum, I've been able to succesfully update to the latest ATI drivers, the CCC, which both helped tremendously. I have also OC'd the GPU just a little, not much.

You can definitely game with it, as I can attest. Mine's a little 07 model, 24" with the 2600.

I did upgrade about a month ago to 4 GB of memory, which helps. Memory is so cheap today, just order some online.