iMac Question. - PC Forums

2401PT · 03-13-2008, 06:07 AM

I was looking at buying a new Apple iMac aluminum - 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD. All the specs look nice, good screen, basically a powerful machine. The only thing that bothers me is the video card - 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO GDDR3 (Desktop). How will it perform in next-gen games - Crysis, COD4, etc - (w/ the maxed iMac specs) on medium-high + settings?
Thanks.

Xirurg · 03-13-2008, 06:42 AM

i think pretty well!

2401PT · 03-13-2008, 06:49 AM

Is the HD 2600 PRO better than the Nvidia 8600 GT (Desktop)?

Iceman0124 · 03-13-2008, 07:12 AM

http://xbitlabs.com/articles/video/d...6t256h_19.html

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3023&p=12

It will perform poorly in modern games. If gaming is a priority I suggest you look at the 3850 512/9600GT or higher.

Budding · 03-13-2008, 07:42 AM

If you want to play games, then an iMac is a bad choice. In fact, all Macs are bad choices in terms of value for money when it comes to games. Unless you are willing to spends $$$$ on a Macbook Pro or $$$$+ on a Mac Pro, you will not get a decent gaming machine.

If you are looking to use OS X for your simple daily chores, then consider getting a cheaper iMac or even a Mac Mini. You could then spend the money left over on a cost efficient gaming machine.

lixuelai · 03-13-2008, 10:36 AM

QFT. Only feasible reason to game on a Mac is if your workstation already demands powerful graphics specs. If for just a work computer then a cheaper Mac will be more than sufficient. I think a MacBook with a 24in external LCD and a windows desktop combo will be perfect.

ClockedRodent · 03-13-2008, 12:47 PM

macs are terrible value for money, an imac setting you back £1200+, can cost a PC £450ish, and i basically tell people to steer clear, unless they particularly like spending over £300 or $600 on an operating system. I'd rather spend £50 on a windows OS, suffer some intermittent problems, be able to use almost every software program on earth, and save £500 on the hardware, then getting a mac.

Budding · 03-13-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClockedRodent

macs are terrible value for money, an imac setting you back £1200+, can cost a PC £450ish, and i basically tell people to steer clear, unless they particularly like spending over £300 or $600 on an operating system. I'd rather spend £50 on a windows OS, suffer some intermittent problems, be able to use almost every software program on earth, and save £500 on the hardware, then getting a mac.

You are generalising a bit too much here. iMacs and Mac Pros and sometimes MBPs are overpriced for their specs. However, Macbooks are generally good value for money, as are Mac Minis at certain times. Especially if you can get student discount on them.

ClockedRodent · 03-13-2008, 02:52 PM

Different products, have different margins, though i think all mac products, are really overcharging people for what they get. The basic macs really are the only exception, since their prices are similar to Dell and other resellers for the same spec. However:

Macbook pro costing £1300, you can get a similar specced Dell m1530, with a blu-ray drive for £200 less.
IMac costing £800, could build a PC with similar/better specs for £450 or less, gets even worse with higher priced models
Mac Pro costing £1500, could build a PC with similar/better specs for around £800
Mac Mini I never really got.. since its a laptop in a very small case, and you could buy a similar specced laptop for less from Dell

I really love Apple products, they're great to use however, no matter how good something is, it isn't worth paying £200 or more extra then the competitors to basically buy into less compatibility (unless you buy another OS) and a few less problems

2401PT · 03-13-2008, 06:21 PM

I am looking for an iMac as my main computer - at home. But if it's gaming performance is really that low, then I will have to look else ware as I like to play next-gen games. I just really wanted OS X, and the iMac form factor.