Alu Macbook - COD4 Settings?

[nope7308]

I've heard that COD 4 is demanding from a hardware perspective, so what are the best settings for optimal play? That is, where is the balance between good FPS and 'eye candy' (for lack of a better term)? My configuration is in my sig and COD 4 should be arriving today in the mail.

Keep in mind that I'm a complete noob with gaming... this is my first game in over 5(ish) years. I'm really excited in a nerdy kind of way!

Thanks for the help!

[Scuall]

New to Macs, but I've been a competitive PC gamer for years. The specs for COD4 were really not that demanding as it was developed in DirectX 9. Gaming is much, much more GPU dependent, do you happen to know what that is for your rig?

FWIW, I always detract from recommended settings in order to get more frames per second. In competitive play, it's quite the norm to run at lowest settings even on high end rigs. Kinda cheap, especially when game designed "dark areas" are bright as day. If you're going to play single player, and COD4 does have an excellent one at that, play at a resolution that makes you happy. Adjust the AA if your computer can handle it. You'll prolly need to tone it down if you're going to play online.

[ChrisN]

First try medium settings with AA off, if it isn't smooth then go low but if it does feel smooth turn AA on at 2x. Also, put the res on the 2nd lowest one.

ChrisN

[nope7308]

Thanks for the replies, but I have a few follow-up questions.

First, I'm running the nVidia 9400 in the new Aluminum MB. Now, I realize that this is not a gaming machine (bought it for other reasons), but it sounds like you two are recommending that I keep the settings extremely low. Is this just for improved MP gaming (i.e. higher FPS), or is this because my machine can't handle the detail at medium/high settings?

Finally, what is AA?

[nope7308]

Sorry to ramble, but I have two very simple questions.

1) Is there a no-cd patch for COD4 Mac? I want to avoid the torrent-crack because I had problems with MP when I tried it.
2) Is there a copy of Return to Castle Wolfenstein (RTCW) for Mac floating around anywhere? I have a legit copy for Windows, but I can't find a working rip for the OS X version. The one available via torrents crashes in MP.

Thanks again for the help.

[killasapo]

nope7308: yes you have to insert the CD (and yes i know that sucks) but that's how it's been in the gaming world for quiet some time now....

I to have the new macbook unibody model (Aluminum) and let me just say no matter what settings HIGH or LOW game play (both single player or multi player) is choppy :mad:

so choppy that i can't bare to play it it's like every 7 or 8 secs it jerks

i'm hoping for a patch to fix this because i really wanted to play this game on a mac

i think the problem is the HD on these models, they come stock with 5400 RPM drives..... which would explain the choppiness in game play maybe a 7200 rpm would do the trick.....

[overcast]

You're trying to play Call of Duty 4 on a laptop on a 9400M, what do you honestly expect?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-2008.aspx?page=3

At 1280x800 with everything off they were only getting 18.5fps, with frequent drops to 11fps.

The hard drive is not helping but it's certainly not the cause. Laptops are not for gaming. No patch is going to fix that, a faster graphics card will.

http://optimitza.cat/news/2008/10/16/nvidia-geforce-9400m-benchmarks/

[ChrisN]

You're trying to play Call of Duty 4 on a laptop on a 9400M, what do you honestly expect?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-2008.aspx?page=3

At 1280x800 with everything off they were only getting 18.5fps, with frequent drops to 11fps.

The hard drive is not helping but it's certainly not the cause. Laptops are not for gaming. No patch is going to fix that, a faster graphics card will.

http://optimitza.cat/news/2008/10/16/nvidia-geforce-9400m-benchmarks/
The MacBook isn't a hardcore gaming machine and it's not intended to be one, the 9400M will do alright with old and some new but I can't see the MacBook playing many new first person shooters but the MacBook Pro is a different story.

ChrisN

[dona83]

I've heard that COD 4 is demanding from a hardware perspective, so what are the best settings for optimal play? That is, where is the balance between good FPS and 'eye candy' (for lack of a better term)? My configuration is in my sig and COD 4 should be arriving today in the mail.

Keep in mind that I'm a complete noob with gaming... this is my first game in over 5(ish) years. I'm really excited in a nerdy kind of way!

Thanks for the help!

The Alu MacBook will handle COD4 just fine. My Asus N10J netbook with Intel Atom 1.6Ghz and NVidia 9300m plays it at low-medium details and AA off no problems. Beautiful game. You won't be disappointed.

[Scuall]

First, I'm running the nVidia 9400 in the new Aluminum MB. Now, I realize that this is not a gaming machine (bought it for other reasons), but it sounds like you two are recommending that I keep the settings extremely low. Is this just for improved MP gaming (i.e. higher FPS), or is this because my machine can't handle the detail at medium/high settings?

Someone listed the laptop review with COD4 at OPTIMAL (you'd have to research what these are for the site; for PCs, it's usually set on highest settings).

What I was saying is that for Single Player, start with the recommended settings and work from there. Game running slow/lags? Tone down the settings. Online play - set your settings as low as possible, with discretion for your "eye candy." You'll get more frames this way, very important.

Finally, what is AA?

Anti-Aliasing. Basically a smoothing of the edges. At high settings it greatly slows the game down. If you ever want to see true eye candy, get to know someone with a very high end PC gaming rig. Crysis on max settings and AA maxed is an unbelievably beautiful game.

[killasapo]

You're trying to play Call of Duty 4 on a laptop on a 9400M, what do you honestly expect?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-2008.aspx?page=3

At 1280x800 with everything off they were only getting 18.5fps, with frequent drops to 11fps.

The hard drive is not helping but it's certainly not the cause. Laptops are not for gaming. No patch is going to fix that, a faster graphics card will.

http://optimitza.cat/news/2008/10/16/nvidia-geforce-9400m-benchmarks/

Just to let you guys know installing it on XP via bootcamp makes it playable on the same system.... it doesn't jerk as much, almost unnoticeable!!! ;)

looks like a sloppy job porting it over to the mac native side :mad:

i guess i'll have to boot in XP mode in order to enjoy this game

hopefully future releases won't have these problems

[Scuall]

nope7308: yes you have to insert the CD (and yes i know that sucks) but that's how it's been in the gaming world for quiet some time now....

I to have the new macbook unibody model (Aluminum) and let me just say no matter what settings HIGH or LOW game play (both single player or multi player) is choppy :mad:

so choppy that i can't bare to play it it's like every 7 or 8 secs it jerks

i'm hoping for a patch to fix this because i really wanted to play this game on a mac

i think the problem is the HD on these models, they come stock with 5400 RPM drives..... which would explain the choppiness in game play maybe a 7200 rpm would do the trick.....

I assumed you turned off the AA? Also, NVidia just released new drivers for their mobile GPUs 8000 series and up, these may help. Kinda ticks me off because I have an Alienware laptop with dual 7950s in SLI.

[killasapo]

I assumed you turned off the AA? Also, NVidia just released new drivers for their mobile GPUs 8000 series and up, these may help. Kinda ticks me off because I have an Alienware laptop with dual 7950s in SLI.

do you have a link to these new drivers.....

looking on the nvidia web site all i see is a 9400M G drivers which to my understanding isn't what we have in the new macbook unibody systems


thank you for your time

P.S. Yes AA is off as well as any other settings that i could have lowered

[iOrlando]

cod4 works fine on my macbook alum.


you guys went out and actually bought the game right... just making sure you arnt using a bootleg version or free version...because all bets are off the table with those.

[Scuall]

do you have a link to these new drivers.....

looking on the nvidia web site all i see is a 9400M G drivers which to my understanding isn't what we have in the new macbook unibody systems


thank you for your time

P.S. Yes AA is off as well as any other settings that i could have lowered

What is the exact GPU you have in the macbook?

[MowingDevil]

You're trying to play Call of Duty 4 on a laptop on a 9400M, what do you honestly expect?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-2008.aspx?page=3

At 1280x800 with everything off they were only getting 18.5fps, with frequent drops to 11fps.

The hard drive is not helping but it's certainly not the cause. Laptops are not for gaming. No patch is going to fix that, a faster graphics card will.

http://optimitza.cat/news/2008/10/16/nvidia-geforce-9400m-benchmarks/

Thats nonsense, ;) CoD4 isn't *that* high end that it shouldn't work. Granted I'm on a MBP but I've run the game on the 9400 and its fine...unless other factors (L2 cache, processor etc) are at play here it should be fine on the new MBs.

[killasapo]

What is the exact GPU you have in the macbook?

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Type: Display
Bus: PCI
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0863
Revision ID: 0x00b1
ROM Revision: 3343

[killasapo]

cod4 works fine on my macbook alum.


you guys went out and actually bought the game right... just making sure you arnt using a bootleg version or free version...because all bets are off the table with those.


please don't insult me


but that wouldn't matter "retail" or "bootleg" 9 times out of 10 they are one to one images


please post your spec's as to see why your Legit version works better then my legit version please

[Mackilroy]

You shouldn't need the DVD in the drive if you're only playing Multiplayer - I don't under Windows, at least. Anyone corroborate this?

[ChrisN]

You shouldn't need the DVD in the drive if you're only playing Multiplayer - I don't under Windows, at least. Anyone corroborate this?

Ye you dont need a DVD in while playing MP.

ChrisN

[Scuall]

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Type: Display
Bus: PCI
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0863
Revision ID: 0x00b1
ROM Revision: 3343

You're correct, only saw Windows drivers for that card. One other option (at your own risk and discretion) is to go to Insanely Mac and see if an updated and converted driver is available there. It's a pretty common card, so I wouldn't be surprised if its available.

[nope7308]

I had a feeling that this thread might degenerate into a debate about the gaming capabilities of the MB...

I know the MB is not designed for gaming; that is not why I purchased the machine. I bought the game because I wanted to kill some free time whenever I had the chance. In all likelihood, I will buy a desktop Mac in the next 3/4 years, so I will be able to run the game at full settings then.

ANYWAY

If someone could answer the two questions that I posted, it would be greatly appreciated. The questions were:
1) Is there a no-cd patch for the Mac version of COD4? The cracked version works without a CD, so how do I get the legit version to do the same?
2) Is there a working copy of RTCW for Mac floating around anywhere? I have a legit key, so I just need a proper rip. Currently, the only one available via torrents doesn't work in MP.

Thanks!

P.S. I've tinkered with the settings and I max at about 40-45 fps in MP. Is that acceptable given my hardware config? Some people are WAY too good at COD4!

[ChrisN]

P.S. I've tinkered with the settings and I max at about 40-45 fps in MP. Is that acceptable given my hardware config? Some people are WAY too good at COD4!

40-45 is great for the MB, what settings are you playing on? Lowest res and low everything else?

ChrisN

[nope7308]

40-45 is great for the MB, what settings are you playing on? Lowest res and low everything else?

ChrisN

Resolution is set to 1024x768 and I have AA and shadows off.

I also did some of the following:
http://cod4boards.com/cod4-pc/6039-cod4-fps-tips.html

[KillJoy?]

There is a game review for CoD4: MW at macgamers.tk
It should tell you pretty much everything you want to know.

[ChrisN]

" Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Hey. Well, if you are reading this review you are probably considering purchasing CoD4: Modern Warfare. After receiving it for christmas, I must say, it is a waste of money. It cost $50 and was certainly not worth it. I have a MacBook G5 with 144mb of Video-Ram (which is pretty fair because the old G4 had 32mb of Video-Ram) and a fairly fast hard drive.

The first major problem is the LAG. At an average rate of 9 fps (frames-per-second) I skipped around campaign with no chance at actually getting to hit anything. The lag unfortunately ruined the experience with all the cool new weapons and gadgets to fool around with. Want to play multiplayer with a good rate of over 50 fps? Dream on. "

From Macgamers.tk

What a joke, trying to play the game on a computer with 144mb of video memory? Of course your not gonna get 50 fps or even 30, terrible review.

ChrisN

[rimbdizz]

what are the requirements/recommendations on keyboard/mouse for playing this game. i have the unibody 2.4. with 2gb. I mean, do I have to go all out on one of those gaming mouses and a seperate keyboard?
thanks,
ryan:apple::apple:

[Joerigoesmac]

what are the requirements/recommendations on keyboard/mouse for playing this game. i have the unibody 2.4. with 2gb. I mean, do I have to go all out on one of those gaming mouses and a seperate keyboard?
thanks,
ryan:apple::apple:

Your mouse is your personal choice, you find the perfect mouse by trying many, not by buying the most expensive one.
The keyboard of a macbook is quite nice for gaming, and as mouse i use a Logitech G9, Logitech 'oem' (the cheapest mouse ever) or an Logitech LS1 laser. Wich mouse i use depends on the game i play, for shooters like COD4 i use the cheap mouse, playing with that kind of mous for more than 6 years now =D

try out mice, and than you will find 'THE ONE'

i hope my post was usefull in some way, cause i wrote a lot of nonsence, man i <3 mac keyboards haha

[lewdvig]

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=337067

1280*800 most settings low (maybe a couple on medium) = playable frame rate in Boot Camp

[MowingDevil]

Your mouse is your personal choice, you find the perfect mouse by trying many, not by buying the most expensive one.
The keyboard of a macbook is quite nice for gaming, and as mouse i use a Logitech G9, Logitech 'oem' (the cheapest mouse ever) or an Logitech LS1 laser. Wich mouse i use depends on the game i play, for shooters like COD4 i use the cheap mouse, playing with that kind of mous for more than 6 years now =D

try out mice, and than you will find 'THE ONE'

i hope my post was usefull in some way, cause i wrote a lot of nonsence, man i <3 mac keyboards haha

I received a Vancouver Canucks mouse with a floating NHL puck in it for Christmas one year....I actually prefer it over the wireless Mighty Mouse I have to be honest. Its not fancy or expensive but solid for COD4 as its 2 button and has center scroller that is convenient for my grenade button. All I need is a better key for stun grenades. Anyone have any recommendations for that? The default "4" key doesn't cut it for me when you need it quickly w/o looking.