IMac Gaming

I was curious how the gaming was on a Mac? All I really want is to play Call of Duty, which my system runs fine now. I was checking out iMac's at Bestbuy today and the sales man totally won me over with how amazing these computers are. The power and raw speed amazed me compared to my Dell. The computer I'm on now honestly is good and runs all new games just fine but when it comes to technology I tend to splurge even when I don't have the extra cash.
I noticed the 20" and everything looked great, which I don't really need anything bigger than 20", but when I saw the monitor on the 24" it killed me to think a few hundred more and I can have this beast. [Side note a 20" would be a downgrade in monitor size, I'm currently on a 22" Dell Monitor]
So, anyone own either one of these computers and have some opinions or anything they'd like to share on iMac's? This would be my first Apple computer, and I have very little background with playing with these systems so the hardware is all brand new to me.
24-inch : 2.66GHz
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
640GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
$1,499.00
20-inch : 2.66GHz
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
320GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
$1,199.00

My Dell's specs:
Dimension E510
Pentium 4 CPU 3.00GHz
2.99 GHz, 2.00GB of RAM
x850xt graphics card
Is my computer more powerful than these iMac's since it's 3.00GHz?

Similar Messages

Macbook VS '07 2.4 iMac Gaming

Hey, I was wondering how the 9400M would compare to the 2600 HD Pro in my iMac when it would come to gaming. I would usually be on the Orange Box or Civ IV. And lets say that both systems had maxed out RAM at 4 GB and are using XP in bootcamp. Thanks!

georgecoll wrote:
…Unfortunately you did not help me with my question…
I didn't presume to.
georgecoll wrote:
…My question is not whether the MacBook Pro machines are optimal, but rather, is there a particular one of these which would perform better than the other…
You must have missed this paragraph in my post:
Because MacBooks are far from optimal for doing Photoshop or other graphics work, relatively few forum users have MacBooks.
Finding one user who is familiar with both MacBooks you mention to the degree necessary to compare them won't be easy.
I stand by that.
Wo Tai Lao Le
我太老了

Is iMac 5K good for games !?

Hello, I want to ask you is the new iMac good for video games. By video games I mean games with very good graphics like Far Cry 4, GTA 5, CoD AW, Dying Light and other like them or I should get a cheeper gaming pc? Please, answer me if you can.

The only way to play high games with high response times on an IMac is to get an IMac with high end specs and that'll make it a very expensive gaming machine.
You need to check the sites for the games you play for the nominal (average) hardware specs as well as the higher end hardware specs.
None of the 21 inch screen IMacs will hack it for high end gaming as their GPUs top out at 1 GB VRAM and the i7 CPUs are NOT the fastest available.
The only 5K retina iMac is the 27 inch screen model that starts at $2500 U.S.D. and the 27 inch screen models are the only models to get all of the bells and whistles needed like maybe a top of the line i7 CPU(for games the i7 CPU is really needed over the more common i5 CPUs), top of the line GPU (or see if you can get away with the base (2 GB VRAM GPUs) and faster 7200 RPM hard drives (the 21 inch screen iMacs only come now with laptop standard 5400 RPM hard drives, now) or faster/larger Fusion or SSD/Flash based drives.
You'll be close to the $3000 mark or more if you go with both the fastest CPU (4.0 Ghz) AND the 4 GB VRAM GPU.
If you are trying to compare an iMac gaming machine to a cheap PC for gaming, it sounds as if to me you do not have the budget for a $2500 IMac???
Even the non-retina 27 inch iMacs will set you back, at least $2000 U.S.D. for the higher spec'd. model.
If you are really considering the cheap PC route (which won't be as cheap as you think for a comparable PC with good gaming hardware specs), maybe just stick to your PC for gaming.
It seems to me that the budget is not there or realistic for a IMac with the specs you are going to need.
Good Luck!

Buying an iMac (the 20-inch model with 2.0Ghz Processor)

Hello all, well, i need an iMac, because i like graphics design, so i can do better things on a Mac, but i'm a gamer, too, i play games like Call of Duty 2, Battlefield 2, etc, so that iMac must have a good video card for those 2 reasons: Graphics Design and Gaming performance. I dont have much money, which means i cant choose between the 3 models: just that one, and i need to know if the ATI HD 2400XT video card can do what i want: Play Games and Design in Programs like Photoshop, Premiere, etc.
Regards

Well, don't just take my word for it, the web is full of criticism of the iMac as a gaming platform. Personally, I couldn't care less, as I rarely game. However, there's no point being religious about it. There are better choices for gaming.
Try Googling for "iMac gaming" and see what the rest of the world thinks. Here's an example: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/08/imac-ad-up-also.html
And if you can't be bothered to read the article, the meat of the argument is in the following comparison of graphics cards at Toms Hardware. The comparison is actually for the 2600XT which is faster than the 2600 Pro in the iMac 24" - but it still ***** big time. Take a look:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=858&model2=859 &chart=318

Is a amd radeon 6490m good for games

hii i wanne buy macbook pro but dont now if i must take the one with intel hd 3000 or amd redeon 6490 can somone help me
i play games the new ones like dragon age 2 , world of warcraft and diablo 3
annyone can help me with this
tnx

The only way to play high games with high response times on an IMac is to get an IMac with high end specs and that'll make it a very expensive gaming machine.
You need to check the sites for the games you play for the nominal (average) hardware specs as well as the higher end hardware specs.
None of the 21 inch screen IMacs will hack it for high end gaming as their GPUs top out at 1 GB VRAM and the i7 CPUs are NOT the fastest available.
The only 5K retina iMac is the 27 inch screen model that starts at $2500 U.S.D. and the 27 inch screen models are the only models to get all of the bells and whistles needed like maybe a top of the line i7 CPU(for games the i7 CPU is really needed over the more common i5 CPUs), top of the line GPU (or see if you can get away with the base (2 GB VRAM GPUs) and faster 7200 RPM hard drives (the 21 inch screen iMacs only come now with laptop standard 5400 RPM hard drives, now) or faster/larger Fusion or SSD/Flash based drives.
You'll be close to the $3000 mark or more if you go with both the fastest CPU (4.0 Ghz) AND the 4 GB VRAM GPU.
If you are trying to compare an iMac gaming machine to a cheap PC for gaming, it sounds as if to me you do not have the budget for a $2500 IMac???
Even the non-retina 27 inch iMacs will set you back, at least $2000 U.S.D. for the higher spec'd. model.
If you are really considering the cheap PC route (which won't be as cheap as you think for a comparable PC with good gaming hardware specs), maybe just stick to your PC for gaming.
It seems to me that the budget is not there or realistic for a IMac with the specs you are going to need.
Good Luck!

Which Imac would be better for gaming?

So i've got a choice between these two models -
£1329.60
3.1GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz
TB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
8gb Ram
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1GB GDDR5
Apple care
27 inch model
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
Apple care
£1407.60
Basically, the decision is down to, do I want a slightly better graphics card and bigger screen, or a smaller screen and better processer?
I just want to gauge opinions, i'll be using it as my day to day computer as well, some video editing, but nothing too strenuous. How big is the difference in graphic and processing powers.
Thanks for your help

With all due respect the question was "which iMac would be better for gaming?". Key word here is 'better', not 'perfect', not 'ideal'; just 'better'. Unqualified answers and/or sweeping statements do very little to contribute to a discussion, let alone answer the question under consideration.

3 Monitors with 1 iMac and 2 Cinema Displays conected to Windows Gaming PC Help!

Hi
I want to set up a 3 monitor gaming set up with 1 iMac in the middle and 2 cinema displays either side. This would be a tripple monitor set up.
I am looking to set up a new computer and i want to have 3 monitors. I also want to have an iMac so i want the iMac in the middle and two cinima displays next to each other. i Want to also conect these monitors with a Windows 7 gaming PC.
I want to hook up my very powerfull windows 7 gaming computer wich has 3 SLI GTX 560 EVGA cards. These cards have a display port output.
So i want to run 3 monitors from my gaming machine and i also want to have my iMac use the 3 monitors aswell. I also want to take advantage of the full, maximum resolution. I would get the thunderbolt cinema display monitors.
Gaming comupter has 3 display ports so i need to connect each graphics card to one of the monitors. I then need to conect the two cinema displays to the middle iMac.
I have not bought anything yet i just need to know if i can do this. Need to know stuff like what adapers to buy and what compatabilties.
I need to know if this is posible and how i would do it.
Thanks

Could i use some of these cables?
It says they are thunderbolt conpatable.
http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=229
http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=2444

Looking for a gaming controller that will work with iMac

I'm not really into gaming, but I just bought a game and right now I have to use the keyboard keys and I'm finding it to be a not so enjoyable gaming experience. So I would like to purchase a gaming controller.... does anyone have any recommendations on ones that work for the IMac?
Thanks!

I second the logitech rumblepad 2. I have the cordless version. Works like a charm, I had a 3rd party system preference pane for changing the buttons, I used it once to set up, the buttons didn't really do what I said, could well have been me not doing it right.
I had the 3rd part pane because I couldn't get it set up in Need For Speed Carbon, but now it works perfectly on its own.
Regards

Configure a new 27" iMac for gaming help

My gaming computer right now is a first generation version 1.1 Mac Pro from 2006 That is more than a little long in the tooth despite having a video card upgrade to ATI 4870 in 2010 playing the beta of Elder Scrolls Online this month it chugs at just less than 30fps in to 1920x1200 it drops to under 10fps at times.
So it is time for a new computer as it is passing into the realm of no longer being able to keep up to date and due to its mother board design it is limited to osx 10.7 and under bootcamp win XP is the newest it will run
I am something of a mac diehard having bought my first Mac March of 1984 and though I no longer work on my PC (retired) I enjoy playing computer games for a few hours each day. Looking forward to Elder Scrolls Online in a few days and enjoying the improved flow of osx games seen over the last few years (but I do play games like skyrim and the fallouts under bootcamp and XP sp3.
So my target system seems to be a new iMac 27" at just under $3,000
Specifications
3.5GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X8GB
3TB Fusion Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4GB GDDR5
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
Accessory Kit and of course a few thunderbolt to FireWire 800 converters
while I doubt I will get the 8 years between systems that this old pro got me it should be fine for the next 3 to 5 years
A new Mac Pro no longer makes sense as I no longer do the solid modeling work that justified a pro back in 06 also the new pro uses workstation graphics cards that are not optimal for games
So run with the antique Mac Pro 1.1 at medium to high graphics ( low in crowded areas ) with most of the other graphics options turned off at best for the next year or blow the tax refund on a high optioned 27" iMac
I thought of trying to find a last version Mac Pro tower used on eBay as that would mean I could just swap over all my FireWire 800 stuff and not have buy the thunderbolt converters but I do not have a good feel as to how good the last version Mac Pro will be as a gaming computer hence my question here and I will also post this over in the Mac Pro forum if it is thought to be a good idea to go with the find a last years Mac Pro idea
Thoughts?

Of course! And XP is no longer supported after this spring this is what I am stuck running on my no longer upgradable Mac Pro. I will of course install the windows 7 pro 64 sp1 that I run on my 2009 mac book pro under boot camp.
Either I find a good last model Mac Pro (I think September 13 is the last version) or I go with the 27" iMac outlined above. But either way it is about a $3,000 spend, all I am seeing on the refurb list at the apple store here of late are 2012 vintage pros, so I guess if I want a last version pro it will be eBay.... That always bothers me as I have not had the best luck getting stuff there.
And that is why I am asking about the loaded iMac 27 as a gaming machine

IMac for Gaming using Win XP Pro

Early 2006 I purchased an iMac 2.0 w/ 2G RAM using x1600 ATI card w/ beta boot camp using XP Pro for gaming purposes.
Now I want to expand my horizons a bit to a new iMac with the same idea as above.
My gaming includes Battlefield 2, COD4, and soon Crysis. So here is the system I want:
iMac 3.06 w/ nvidia 8800 GS which I read is NOT the 8800 but some other nvidia card. I want to expand to 4G RAM, BUT replacing all the RAM with either Crucial or Kingston for Dual Channel. Will XP Pro be stable w/ 4G dual channel? Will this system utilize DX 10. w/ the nvidia card on this Mac? If I get Crysis, I want to be able to set everything on HIGH. Are there any Driver problems that I should be aware of?

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*Navigational Sounds: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1030/

Using 27" iMac as display for a gaming PC

Before anyone rips me to ribbons for wanting to use an iMac as a display for a windows PC, let me explain my situation: I need to upgrade my 2007 iMac and I was looking at the 27" iMac. I would like use it as a monitor for my gaming PC when I'm not using it as a Mac because I barely have enough room on my desk for my old iMac and gaming PC monitor as it is. A 27" iMac will take up my whole desk and won't fit with any other monitor. I'd just get a bigger desk, but my studio apartment is too small and cluttered for one.
I know there is the Atlona DVI to Mini DisplayPort Converter, but after hours of searching, I could only find articles saying "it should work with PC" not "I tested it and it does work with PC. Here are some pictures as proof". I'm not willing to spend that much on something that might work.
I was wondering if anyone knew of a site that gave proof that the Atlona DVI to Mini DisplayPort Converter worked the way I hope it does? or does someone know of something coming out in the near future that would allow what I need?

I have exactly the same problem and have been scouring the forums to find an answer. Hoping to use my shiny big iMac as a display for my gaming PC which only has a DVI output. From what I've read I get the impression the answer is currently no (some problem specific to the 27" iMacs from what I can make out), but out of interest have you had any luck with this??
The only answer I can find round this at the moment (if the converter you mention doesn't work) is to get a new graphics card with a DisplayPort output - still weighing up whether to splash out on a new one and what the chances are of me screwing up my PC if I try installing it myself!!

Late 2009 iMac 27" as display for gaming desktop?

I'm looking at buying a gaming desktop with a high end graphics card. I know that the late 2009 imac can use the "mini-displayport" to be used as a monitor for the pc, but the graphics card on my desktop will only have a "displayport." The card comes with a DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort cable, which would allow them to connect, but will it be compatible for Target Display mode? Some people have reported success online, but i could be missing information.

Hello CDeuschel,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924
Can I use the iMac in TDM as a display for my gaming console, DVD player, or other device?
The Mini DisplayPort port on a supported iMac can receive DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals. Converters not made by Apple may provide options to convert other electrical, video, and audio protocols to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt compliant signals.
Best of luck,
Mario

Trying to choose a gaming imac configuration--on a budget

I'm looking to get a gaming imac, and I'm on a budget. I enjoy RTS games, as well as Diablo-esque games, etc., but not shooters, and was thinking about going the bootcamp route. Initially, I thought about the 20" intel double core with 2 gb and 256 mb ATI video card, but it was a little too pricey for me, all told.
So my question is this, which do you think has a bigger impact on gaming performance, 1 gb vs 2 gb memory, or a 128 vs 256 video card?
And is there a substantial difference between these three configurations: 17" 1 Gb and 128 ATI, 17" 2 Gb and 128 ATI, or 20" 1 Gb and 256 ATI?
Thanks!

I dont know if Apple is the way you want to go if you want to do intense gaming currently. EA and Blizzard are however, moving games into the Apple realm now with Starcraft 2, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, (Diablo maybe, I dont remember). I can tell you now, that when later games will be coming out (even within this year), theres going to be a HUGE jump in system requirements, especially for games like SC2. The 256 vid card will be noticably faster and capable of handling more compared to the 128. As for memory, I like ot think of it as ram in a car, the amount of load it is capable of pulling without slowing effects. So, it would depend on the game. Something like Diablo and Starcraft/Brood War aren't too ram hungry, but when you go into the full on 3D, hardcore physics games, you will feel the need for it. There are a few things you should consider though before buying one. First, there are rumours that the iMac will undergo updates following the MacBook Pro hardware updates. This means, faster, stronger, more up-to-date stuff like Vid Cards may become available soon enough, if i recall correctly, they assumed anywhere from this month to october for it to happen. The rumours also state that the 17 inch iMac will be given up and will only be left with the other 20inch and up models. This will reduce the cost of the 20 inch. Also, memory can definitly be bought aftermarket to save you a lot of money. Of course it may not be the same speed settings as the memory sold with macs, but it can definitly save you $$. I got two 1G sticks for a total of 130$ canadian. which is about 50% differant than Apple's. If I had total absolute power over your buying descision (which I obviously dont :P) I would either go PC or simply wait to see if the iMac updates will occur. Both methods theoretically should save money. ^^

I want to get an iMac to learn Logic Pro primarily and gaming secondly

I am new to all this (computers, Logic Pro and video games) but I want to learn. Is an iMac a good computer to run Logic Pro (I am also considering Mac mini)? I am also wondering about the nvidia geforce gtx 780m with 4 gb dedicated ram. How many years down the road will this graphics card be good for. From what I hear pc gamers have to periodically be upgrading things like graphics cards on their computers to be able to play newer games in the future, but I don't have that option with say this graphics card on the 27 inch imac, so I guess my question is, for how long will this nvidia geforce gtx 780m with 4 gb dedicated ram be good for before it becomes obsolete, 3 years, 5 years ,maybe more or less I do not know. I was thinking about getting a Mac mini for the Logic Pro and getting a play station 4 for gaming or just getting thr iMac and use it for both Logic Pro and gaming and forget about the play station 4. I need some real help over here, so if anyone could please help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. P.S. I have also heard that the Mac mini is a good option for Logic Pro being that it has the integrated graphics card and Logic Pro is not a really graphic intensive app, so maybe I would be straight going the Mac mini and play station 4 route.

You are better off getting a dedicated gaming box for gaming than using a Mac for heavy gaming.
Unless you go with a top of the line iMac with just about all of the optional components, Macs do not make great heavy gaming machines. Plus, a gaming box is sooo much cheaper than a Mac for gaming.
For using Logic, I would just go for the 21 inch screen iMac and get it with the optional full 16 GBs of RAM and optional i7 CPU and, if you can afford all of the options, get this iMac with the optional Fusion drive, too!
The combination SSD and hard drive in the fusion drive will help make up for the slower 5400 RPM drives that they are putting into only the 21 inch screen models.
With this configuration, this iMac would last you, at least, 5 years.

Re: using the iMac i5 for gaming

I have recently purchased an iMac I5 which I'm delighted with. I realise that it will be anathema to many but my question is could you use it for gaming? I am thinking of downloading Dragon Age Origins but cannot get my mind around how I could operate the keyboard as it is the small Bluetooth one. Has anyone used their's for gaming and how did they get round the keyboard issue?

You can plug any USB keyboard into your Mac. F-keys typically are mapped as they should be. Some extra keys can also be mapped with Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse -> Keyboard -> Full keyboard access. Alt and Windows keys are in reverse locations from an Apple keyboard. Logitech, Kensington, and Microsoft all have Mac versions of their keyboards with the appropriate key mapping. As long as the GPU and processor and RAM meet the qualifications on the game's recommended system requirements on its box, you can run it on your iMac. I've not played the game in question.

IMac Gaming

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