Why do so many people buy iMacs for gaming?

[cirus]

To your response in:
Paragraph 2 and 3: This: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/2...-high-end-haswell-processors-for-macbook-pro/
Although the article here applies to the rMBPs only, I don't doubt that they're doing the same to the desktop Macs.

Paragraph 4: You don't have to frequently maintain your Mac and it still doesn't fail you. A Windows PC requires much more maintenance than OS X does. I've built a rig myself and two out of the four RAM slots on the motherboard shorted out within half a year (Gigabyte GA-Z87X). So now only two of the RAM slots are usable.

Paragraph 5: It always makes sense to have the latest OS for security's sake. Even with an antivirus. I know I can buy Office 2013 once for around a hundred bucks, but Microsoft will NOT make subsequent versions of Office that can be purchased one-off for lifetime usage. You can see that with Adobe already. They will not make CS7 and will only support Creative Cloud. Microsoft is following suit.

How is it limiting? You're limited if you use different brands of devices, because they all won't sync together (spare me the crap on Google's cloud services. Besides whatever you store in Google's services is the most easily available to the NSA). Perhaps you prefer an unintegrated and seamless user experience.

That is called iris which intel probably designed at apple's urging. However, any OEM can use chips with HD 5000-5200, the chips are not special made for apple and any HD 5000 series chips are the same within their SKU.

One piece of personal experience does not mean anything.

Why would you need a newer version of Office? The old one does pretty much everything that a basic to medium user would need. Likewise the OS upgrade is optional. There is nothing wrong with saying that you yourself would buy a newer version of office or windows but its incorrect to say that it is required.

Overclocked the iMac with 680MX/780MX in windows scores 5700 on passmark which is a very accurate benchmark for game performance.

There are only 7 video cards that money can buy that are better than that, 5 of which are recent releases. 2 of them are $1000+ cards that you cannot buy on any off the shelf computer.

Simply put the iMac is one of the best and in my opinion the best all around gaming machine you can get.

Yet you can overclock the desktop GPUs too.... (And passmark performs ridiculously good on nvidia hardware opposed to AMD; it is not a good performance comparison, 3dmark is better though still problematic). OC for OC the 780m will be close to or outperformed by 660Ti, 670, 680, 760, 780, titan, 780 Ti, 7950 Boost, 7970, R280X, R290, R290X, 7990, 690.

760, 660Ti, 7950, 7970, R280X are all very affordable cards when compared to the cost of an imac.

 

[reery]

Why would you spend all that money when you're just gonna run Windows on it anyway?

There is no comparable device which offers the same quality without any significant drawbacks. You get a silent (even under load), thin, lightweight (for a 27" all-in-one), powerful, highly efficient computer with good speakers and one of the best screens available.

Windows runs better on this thing than on any other PC I got before.

 

[MrGIS]

Why do so many people buy iMacs for gaming?

Because we are wealthy elitist who must have the best. We have a superior sense of what makes good design and what will look awesome on our desks. We can tell our friends we have a Mac.

And it gives us something to do when people ask ridiculous questions like this one....

 

[2Turbo]

My question is, how much would a custom gaming pc cost that is significantly better than the iMac? Because I can't see buying a dedicated gaming PC if it isn't that much better performance than the iMac. Then you have to look at the added price on top of your mac.

 

[carrpin]

Why do so many people buy iMacs for gaming?

To frustrate PC users and see how dorky they get in defence of their machines

 

[IA64]

My question is, how much would a custom gaming pc cost that is significantly better than the iMac? Because I can't see buying a dedicated gaming PC if it isn't that much better performance than the iMac. Then you have to look at the added price on top of your mac.

I'd say $2000-$2250 PC > BTO core i7 iMac for gaming ~ $3000

Mind you, still have to buy a screen.

 

[Arfdog]

Honestly, the amount of gaming-related questions I see on this site is phenomenal.

Because it's a better gaming system than a PC. Not to mention a better overall computer than a PC with OS X.

Massive specs are for crap OS's that are inefficient with resources.

 

[2Turbo]

Because it's a better gaming system than a PC. Not to mention a better overall computer than a PC with OS X.

Massive specs are for crap OS's that are inefficient with resources.

Yep, I *need* OS X. So if I wanted a gaming PC, that's another 1,200-2200 on top of the iMac + I need another monitor. Which is redundant/space consuming. Still seems to me the best option is the iMac 780m.

 

[RichardC300]

This whole discussion is a total waste of time. We don't buy iMacs for gaming primarily, but for occasional gaming, and doing mainly OSX work.

Well put. Something the TS does not realize.

 

[IA64]

People also don't realize that Apple had to introduce Intel based iMacs with bootcamp to boost its sales.

To be dead honest, for the price tag, I expect the iMac to do almost anything I want or need. Without Windows, I would have bought another machine; probably a Dell XPS one 27 with touch screen or Asus transformer.

 

[omeletpants]

What did we learn from this thread?

That it's a Free Country!!!!!!!

 

[edfoo]

Because it's a better gaming system than a PC.

LOL, one of the funniest things I have ever read.

 

[kansei]

I'd say $2000-$2250 PC > BTO core i7 iMac for gaming ~ $3000

Mind you, still have to buy a screen.

$320 - i7-4771 (same CPU as iMac)
$260 - GTX 760 (lets face it, the 780m is an "m")
$100 - some watercooling-in-a-box closed loop solution for quiet cpu cooling
$200 - a quality motherboard
$170 - a quality 800ish watt psu
$200 - a quality case
$190 - 2x8GB DDR3 1866
$235 - samsung 840 pro 256GB (a downgrade from the PCIe SSD in the iMac)
$100 - ASUS 802.11ac PCIe. (bet this isn't super defective like the 802.11ac broadcom in the imac and macbook pro)
$28 - bluetooth 4.0 adapter
$650 - dell U2713HM
$199 - windows 8.1 pro
----------
$2652

$2689 - equivalent iMac, and that includes a $140 ram upgrade from amazon taking it up to 24GB from the base 8. The iMac is more compact, much more energy efficient, much quieter, higher resale value if that matters to you, one warranty to cover all the parts, and is effectively the same price.

I won't factor in keyboard and mouse, even though we get 'free' ones with the iMac, since gamers will tend to replace those with more 'hardcore' parts.

 

[Siderz]

$260 - GTX 760 (lets face it, the 780m is an "m")

• http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+760
• http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+780M

higher resale value

You can replace the parts in a custom PC.

 

[Tjosansa]

I tell you why I buy a iMac for gaming.
First. i do not ONLY play games on it.. Somehow ppl think when i say that i play games on my computer, that is it.. thats all i do.. But that is not the case..

I dont know another all in one computer with such good build quality.
Ive been a pc user for over 20 years and after a time something is always getting anoying.. it may be its noisy..
iMac got everything i feel important in one machine.. its great build quality. its silent.. its fast. it may run both osx and Windows. its good looking.
all components in it is good.. you just know that the mic is good.. you dont need to worry about it.. all parts is good parts.. When buying a pc it may have a great cpu and graphic card.. but always there is one annoying bit about the machine.. something they cut costs on it. and one day you need that feature and painfully get aware about some flaw on that machine.

As Steve jobs once said.. We dont ship junk.

 

[Siderz]

i do not ONLY play games on it.. Somehow ppl think when i say that i play games on my computer, that is it.. thats all i do.. But that is not the case..

No s***, we might as well rule this out, loads of people have already mentioned this and I don't know why people have the idea that I think people are buying iMacs for one thing.

 

[IA64]

$320 - i7-4771 (same CPU as iMac)
$260 - GTX 760 (lets face it, the 780m is an "m")
$100 - some watercooling-in-a-box closed loop solution for quiet cpu cooling
$200 - a quality motherboard
$170 - a quality 800ish watt psu
$200 - a quality case
$190 - 2x8GB DDR3 1866
$235 - samsung 840 pro 256GB (a downgrade from the PCIe SSD in the iMac)
$100 - ASUS 802.11ac PCIe. (bet this isn't super defective like the 802.11ac broadcom in the imac and macbook pro)
$28 - bluetooth 4.0 adapter
$650 - dell U2713HM
$199 - windows 8.1 pro
----------
$2652

$2689 - equivalent iMac, and that includes a $140 ram upgrade from amazon taking it up to 24GB from the base 8. The iMac is more compact, much more energy efficient, much quieter, higher resale value if that matters to you, one warranty to cover all the parts, and is effectively the same price.

I won't factor in keyboard and mouse, even though we get 'free' ones with the iMac, since gamers will tend to replace those with more 'hardcore' parts.

You forgot the webcam and mic

 

[MythicFrost]

$320 - i7-4771 (same CPU as iMac)
$260 - GTX 760 (lets face it, the 780m is an "m")
$100 - some watercooling-in-a-box closed loop solution for quiet cpu cooling
$200 - a quality motherboard
$170 - a quality 800ish watt psu
$200 - a quality case
$190 - 2x8GB DDR3 1866
$235 - samsung 840 pro 256GB (a downgrade from the PCIe SSD in the iMac)
$100 - ASUS 802.11ac PCIe. (bet this isn't super defective like the 802.11ac broadcom in the imac and macbook pro)
$28 - bluetooth 4.0 adapter
$650 - dell U2713HM
$199 - windows 8.1 pro
----------
$2652

$2689 - equivalent iMac, and that includes a $140 ram upgrade from amazon taking it up to 24GB from the base 8. The iMac is more compact, much more energy efficient, much quieter, higher resale value if that matters to you, one warranty to cover all the parts, and is effectively the same price.

I won't factor in keyboard and mouse, even though we get 'free' ones with the iMac, since gamers will tend to replace those with more 'hardcore' parts.

But much of what you've listed there can be picked up for less.

A good case, motherboard and PSU can be had for ~$100 each; you can pick up the NH-D14 for ~$80 which will run circles around the iMac's cooling; 4x4GB of RAM can be picked up for $140 and Windows 8.1 OEM for $100.

And don't forget you'd need to buy that same copy of Windows 8 for the iMac, otherwise you're stuck with less performance and less titles.

You could cut costs even a bit more without sacrificing any performance, too. All up that would shave off about $400 and in terms of thermals, noise, expandability and upgradability, the PC wins out.

Ultimately I think the iMac is great value, and it offers a form factor which you can't ever build. But if you're buying a rig just for gaming and form factor doesn't matter to you, then building your own is probably best.

 

[IA64]

...and in terms of thermals, noise, expandability and upgradability, the PC wins out.

Sorry but the iMac in terms of thermal dissipation and noise wins hands down.

The machine is dead silent even when running intensive tasks ( late 2013 ). I have yet to see a gaming desktop running as cool and silent as the iMac ( excluding water cooled systems )

 

[MythicFrost]

Sorry but the iMac in terms of thermal dissipation and noise wins hands down.

The machine is dead silent even when running intensive tasks ( late 2013 ). I have yet to see a gaming desktop running as cool and silent as the iMac ( excluding water cooled systems )

No it most certainly doesn't. The iMac sacrifices good thermal dissipation for less noise -- it gets incredibly hot. The Noctua NH-D14 on the other hand would not only keep the CPU much cooler, but also do so quieter. The Noctua NH-D14 beats most water coolers.

Also usually one put's a desktop underneath the desktop not on top like you do with the iMac, so there's more distance between you and the computer which helps to reduce noise.

However I can't comment on the 760's fan noise, but a "low" fan setting will allow it to get quite hot (like the iMac) for increased silence.

 

[IA64]

No it most certainly doesn't. The iMac sacrifices good thermal dissipation for less noise -- it gets incredibly hot.

We're talking about the iMac 2013 ? I feel surprised to read this. Mine doesn't get hot at all. I'd exaggerate and say it gets occasionally warm after an hour of video rendering or so, but nothing close to hot.

 

[Tanax]

• http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+760
• http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+780M

You can replace the parts in a custom PC.

Except most people don't. And when they do, the parts are so old so if you want to replace - say the CPU or GPU - you'll need to replace the motherboard as well.

 

[Jesla]

No s***, we might as well rule this out, loads of people have already mentioned this and I don't know why people have the idea that I think people are buying iMacs for one thing.

Because your opening post suggest that this is indeed how you think.

Do you play games?......no?.... then why should it bother you that others do like to play games on their machine of choice and talk about it?

You don't have to read the post about gaming.

Now that you've had your hat handed to you by Mac gammers, why don't you go annoy the PC community for awhile....

 

[richard13]

But much of what you've listed there can be picked up for less.

A good case, motherboard and PSU can be had for ~$100 each; you can pick up the NH-D14 for ~$80 which will run circles around the iMac's cooling; 4x4GB of RAM can be picked up for $140 and Windows 8.1 OEM for $100.

And don't forget you'd need to buy that same copy of Windows 8 for the iMac, otherwise you're stuck with less performance and less titles.

You could cut costs even a bit more without sacrificing any performance, too. All up that would shave off about $400 and in terms of thermals, noise, expandability and upgradability, the PC wins out.

Ultimately I think the iMac is great value, and it offers a form factor which you can't ever build. But if you're buying a rig just for gaming and form factor doesn't matter to you, then building your own is probably best.

I think you're missing the point… somewhat.

It costs about the same for a self built PC as it does to purchase an iMac. People love to throw around this price comparison and it's a myth that PCs are less expensive. The biggest mistake they make is usually leaving out the a good quality monitor. That's close to $1000 right there. Sure one could buy these cheaper and use less expensive parts but then it's not the same as the iMac.

Is it possible to build a better gaming PC than an iMac? Absolutely! But that better performance comes at a cost.

The other point that almost nobody will own up to is residual value. That home-brew PC will fetch close to nothing at the end of 3 years. Nobody knows or cares about how you put some PC geek name brand power supply in there. However, the Mac is a known quantity and built by a company that people trust. You can easily get 25%-33% of the iMac cost back by selling it.

So in summary, no, PCs are not better or more cost effective than Macs. If you want a PC go get/build one. If you prefer a Mac get that instead.

 

[faneos]

Because their daddy pay the bills.When they grow up and pay their own bills i doubt that anyone of them would pay this amount of money for games and not for semi pro creative business.