Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Resolved mac mini server graphics chip

E

etsi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 23, 2011
248
1
The mac mini server seems more powerful it comes with 7200rpm HD's and it has already the second cable to replace one of them with a SSD. My only concern is about the graphic card. I would like to be able to play even on low settings diablo 3 but other than that I am not a gamer I have a PS3 for other games. Do you think Intel HD3000 is enough for diablo 3? I am also thinking if I buy the server I could upgrade the graphic card through thunderbolt in the future ? Does anyone has more information about that?

Also if I install 8GB or 16GB of memory the HD3000 will use more than 256GB that the AMD GPU support? What if I change the memories with higher than 1333Mhz does the server support that kind of memories ? Will it boost HD 3000 graphic performance?


Thanks
 
Last edited:
Higher speed memory will not increase the amount of graphics that the Mac Mini Server uses to my knowledge. The max amount of memory that the Mini and Mini Server will use from 8 or 16 GB is 512 MB (source being philipma1957 on that).

I am honestly not sure, since Blizzard keeps delaying the damn game, what the system requirements even are. I would like to think that the mid-range Mac Mini is sufficient enough to play low to medium settings for Diablo III though by the time Blizzard releases the game, I bet the Ivy Bridge mini will either be out or close to being out.

You're probably better off with an iMac if you can afford it.
 
The server seems much more powerful maybe better choice to have it for longer time. However I doubt the dual core is not enough. The only trouble will be to find that cable to install two HDs. I already have an Intel 80GB SSD disk. I have an excellent EIZO monitor and imac monitor will be useless for me. If I buy the server it will already have two cables I'll just keep the one 7200rpm and add the SSD. On the other hand if buy the dual core the AMD GPU will be perfect for some gaming but I will have to buy the cable for the second hard disk and replace the slow 5400rpm hd with a 7200rpm hd.

I am confused :eek:

A thunderbolt graphic card would be a nice addition for the server but when is going to be available ?

Currently I am using a amd cpu 5050e with passmark score 1406, the i5-2520M @ 2.50GHz scores 3583 and the i7-2635QM @ 2.00GHz scores 6332.
 
Last edited:
Higher speed memory will increase the IGP performance. I've tested Kingston Hyper X 1866MHz to be stable in the Mac Mini Server. FWIW, Windows Experience Index scores 3D Graphics and Gaming are the same for the Intel HD 3000 with 1866MHz and the AMD 6630M. this probably doesn't mean much for real world use. However, you can search the MacBook Pro forums for tests and stories on how faster memory improves the IGP performance.

OSX will limit the memory to 512 MB. I believe Windows 7 will do 1.3GB.
 
etsi said:
The mac mini server seems more powerful it comes with 7200rpm HD's and it has already the second cable to replace one of them with a SSD. My only concern is about the graphic card. I would like to be able to play even on low settings diablo 3 but other than that I am not a gamer I have a PS3 for other games. Do you think Intel HD3000 is enough for diablo 3? I am also thinking if I buy the server I could upgrade the graphic card through thunderbolt in the future ? Does anyone has more information about that?

Also if I install 8GB or 16GB of memory the HD3000 will use more than 256GB that the AMD GPU support? What if I change the memories with higher than 1333Mhz does the server support that kind of memories ? Will it boost HD 3000 graphic performance?


Thanks
Click to expand...

Don't listen to anyone telling you it will be fine. The Mini Server is not a decent gaming machine.

Buy an iMac ... I mean, the Mini is cute and all, but don't kid yourself, it's not meant to play serious games.

You can go ahead and buy it if you don't mind playing D3 on the lowest settings though.
 
Adamantoise said:
Don't listen to anyone telling you it will be fine. The Mini Server is not a decent gaming machine.

Buy an iMac ... I mean, the Mini is cute and all, but don't kid yourself, it's not meant to play serious games.

You can go ahead and buy it if you don't mind playing D3 on the lowest settings though.
Click to expand...

have to agree, just played SC2 on a new mini. Not what i was expecting. A iMac is a better option. You can play at lower settings but you will notice a difference.
 
W1MRK said:
have to agree, just played SC2 on a new mini. Not what i was expecting. A iMac is a better option. You can play at lower settings but you will notice a difference.
Click to expand...

Which mini ? Using the amd or intel ?

I do not intend to use it for a gaming machine just to be able to play a couple of games like diablo3. For the rest I will use a PS3. I have seen somewhere a video someone is playing diablo3 beta on mac air.

Here it is:

http://kotaku.com/5842300/this-is-diablo-iii-running-on-my-macbook-air-without-breaking-a-sweat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back