Looking at a new iMac for gaming

[Haleiwa Salt]

Hey guys,

I've recently decided that I want a new iMac for gaming purposes but don't know exactly which way to go about doing so. I already own a 2009 13" 2.53GHz MBP but I'd like a more powerful desktop for gaming (WoW, SC2, mainly Blizzard games), Photoshop, and watching movies (the tiny screen gets kind of exhausting to use). Anyway, I was wondering how you guys feel about the current line of iMacs and if it would be even worth it to, say, go for the lower end model given the specs of the MBP I already own. Would the difference in framerates be significant? Or should I hold out for a higher end model?

The entire specs for my MBP are:

  Model Name:    MacBook Pro
  Model Identifier:    MacBookPro5,5
  Processor Name:    Intel Core 2 Duo
  Processor Speed:    2.53 GHz
  Memory:    4 GB
  Chipset Model:	NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
  VRAM (Total):	256 MB

 

[miles01110]

If you are wanting a gaming computer, either shell out the money to buy a decent iMac or build your own (Windows/hackintosh) gaming rig for 3/4 the price or less. In my opinion, buying an iMac for "gaming" severely limits your ability to make necessary upgrades in the future if you're serious about performance.

 

[Haleiwa Salt]

If you are wanting a gaming computer, either shell out the money to buy a decent iMac or build your own (Windows/hackintosh) gaming rig for 3/4 the price or less. In my opinion, buying an iMac for "gaming" severely limits your ability to make necessary upgrades in the future if you're serious about performance.

I was considering hackintoshing but I don't know if that would be a smart decision given my inexperience with the subject. I definitely can work towards getting a higher end iMac, though. I just don't know what would supply the most bang for the buck/what would be necessary for my needs.

 

[upaymeifixit]

I was considering hackintoshing but I don't know if that would be a smart decision given my inexperience with the subject. I definitely can work towards getting a higher end iMac, though. I just don't know what would supply the most bang for the buck/what would be necessary for my needs.

I wouldn't worry too much about your lack of experience with hackint0shes. I'm 16 and didn't know much about building computers, much less building a hackint0sh. It wasn't terribly easy, but it was doable. I would highly recommend it.

 

[Haleiwa Salt]

I wouldn't worry too much about your lack of experience with hackint0shes. I'm 16 and didn't know much about building computers, much less building a hackint0sh. It wasn't terribly easy, but it was doable. I would highly recommend it.

As long as you're not some 16 year old wiz kid nah, I'm kidding. On a serious note, though, what was your set up like? how long did it take you to build it and install the software? how much did it cost, etc?

 

[upaymeifixit]

As long as you're not some 16 year old wiz kid nah, I'm kidding. On a serious note, though, what was your set up like? how long did it take you to build it and install the software? how much did it cost, etc?

Putting it together was the easy part. It's like LEGOs . I ran into a few problems, so the whole thing took about six hours spread over 3 days. However, if you don't run into any problems, and everything goes well, it should only take you an hour to build and another hour or two to install.

I bought all the parts from Newegg.

GA-P55M-UD2 - $105
PNY GTX260 - $180
OCZ 600W PSU - $70
i5-750 CPU - $195
2x2GB GSKILL - $92
AD-7260S DVD - $19
500GB Seagate - $55
DBT-120 Bluetooth - $20
Total - $809

I didn't buy a case because I thought I might be getting one for christmas. The one I want though is a RAIDMAX Typhoon Mid ATX - $40. I don't really regret buying the parts I did, but I think if I were to do it again I could get a little more for my money.

Instructions for installing and a help can be found at http://tonymacx86.com
Let me know if you need any more info about it. Sorry, I keep on finding things to add. In case you didn't know, it would probably be best to see what Apple does on Wednesday before you make any big moves.

 

[Haleiwa Salt]

Putting it together was the easy part. It's like LEGOs . I ran into a few problems, so the whole thing took about six hours spread over 3 days. However, if you don't run into any problems, and everything goes well, it should only take you an hour to build and another hour or two to install.

I bought all the parts from Newegg.

GA-P55M-UD2 - $105
PNY GTX260 - $180
OCZ 600W PSU - $70
i5-750 CPU - $195
2x2GB GSKILL - $92
AD-7260S DVD - $19
500GB Seagate - $55
DBT-120 Bluetooth - $20
Total - $809

I didn't buy a case because I thought I might be getting one for christmas. The one I want though is a RAIDMAX Typhoon Mid ATX - $40. I don't really regret buying the parts I did, but I think if I were to do it again I could get a little more for my money.

Instructions for installing and a help can be found at http://tonymacx86.com
Let me know if you need any more info about it. Sorry, I keep on finding things to add. In case you didn't know, it would probably be best to see what Apple does on Wednesday before you make any big moves.

Thanks for all the information, it is much appreciated! If you built your rig for gaming purposes, could I ask how your fps is on your games? I'm considering going for a ~$800 budget build my self.

 

[upaymeifixit]

Thanks for all the information, it is much appreciated! If you built your rig for gaming purposes, could I ask how your fps is on your games? I'm considering going for a ~$800 budget build my self.

I didn't completely build it for gaming, but if does run most games well. These are all in Windows, but they shouldn't run much slower in Mac: Modern Warfare 2 I get about 90FPS with max settings (including 4XAA @ 1920x1080), Portal I think I get about 130FPS max settings (16XAA @ 1920x1080), Counter Strike: Source 190FPS (16XAA @ 1920x1080), Crysis 70FPS on medium or something settings. My monitor is only 60HTz anyway, so as long as I get at least 60FPS I'm fine.

 

[alent1234]

I was considering hackintoshing but I don't know if that would be a smart decision given my inexperience with the subject. I definitely can work towards getting a higher end iMac, though. I just don't know what would supply the most bang for the buck/what would be necessary for my needs.

i've been building PC's for years and thought about a hackintosh. i wouldn't do it just to save money since i always read about issues like waiting to install the latest update because it can brick your computer.

if you want a fun hobby/project then go for it

 

[C. Alan]

At least apple gives you the option of not installing upgrades when they come along. Windows just loads them up anyway.