Doom 3 on a Powerbook... personal review by me

[JeDiBoYTJ]

i've noticed the lack of personal reviews out that, and the recent thread "has anyone PLAYED Doom 3 yet" has inspired to me write a short review...

Ok, so yeah I bit the bullet and went out and purchased Doom 3 for mac yesterday... knowing not to expect it to run on "ULTRA" graphics or anything.

My Powerbook satisfies the absolute minimum requirement for Doom 3, except that I have 1GB of RAM.

So I loaded it up. Installation was smooth (simple drag 'n drop). Then I launched it. It bounced a couple times in the dock before fading away into Doomsville. Menu Initialization took only a few seconds before the iD intro video played. the Menu then loaded and I selected New Game. being the wuss I am I selected 'Recruit' :p . It then proceeded to load the intro exposition videos. after that, I was fully launched into Doomsville. I started walking around. first couple steps it studdered a bit, but then it proceeded to smooth out. walking around the Mars Facility, I was seeing a constant 25fps or so. I then looked to see what settings it was on. 640x480, Low Quality. Those are the settings it automatticaly choose for my setup. I walked around some more and noticed that even though its on low settings, the game still looks beautiful... im sure its not as good as running it at 60fps on Ultra graphics, but its way more than good enough for me.

When I first encountered the Doom creatures, the fps dropped down to about 20fps, and it began to studder slightly. after that it was fairly smooth. So far im able to run around and shoot the monsters without too much of a drop of in fps.

I also decided to test the Multiplayer mode, which I found to be a little dull. not too many rooms out there to play in. But one good thing is the fact that its Mac - PC compatable, so I was playing with a bunch of PC users who didnt know they made Doom3 for the Mac :p

So theres my small review. Feel free to ask any questions. :)

[iriejedi]

Fianlly - a positive review with somone who can be objective and not complain that we do not get 413 fps - I'll give up 380 of those fps to not use windows!!!!

I'm fairly confident that I'm in a good position, but it is good to hear that 100% setting is not required 100% of the time to make the game enjoyable.

Thanks again

Irie

i've noticed the lack of personal reviews out that, and the recent thread "has anyone PLAYED Doom 3 yet" has inspired to me write a short review...

Ok, so yeah I bit the bullet and went out and purchased Doom 3 for mac yesterday... knowing not to expect it to run on "ULTRA" graphics or anything.

My Powerbook satisfies the absolute minimum requirement for Doom 3, except that I have 1GB of RAM.

So I loaded it up. Installation was smooth (simple drag 'n drop). Then I launched it. It bounced a couple times in the dock before fading away into Doomsville. Menu Initialization took only a few seconds before the iD intro video played. the Menu then loaded and I selected New Game. being the wuss I am I selected 'Recruit' :p . It then proceeded to load the intro exposition videos. after that, I was fully launched into Doomsville. I started walking around. first couple steps it studdered a bit, but then it proceeded to smooth out. walking around the Mars Facility, I was seeing a constant 25fps or so. I then looked to see what settings it was on. 640x480, Low Quality. Those are the settings it automatticaly choose for my setup. I walked around some more and noticed that even though its on low settings, the game still looks beautiful... im sure its not as good as running it at 60fps on Ultra graphics, but its way more than good enough for me.

When I first encountered the Doom creatures, the fps dropped down to about 20fps, and it began to studder slightly. after that it was fairly smooth. So far im able to run around and shoot the monsters without too much of a drop of in fps.

I also decided to test the Multiplayer mode, which I found to be a little dull. not too many rooms out there to play in. But one good thing is the fact that its Mac - PC compatable, so I was playing with a bunch of PC users who didnt know they made Doom3 for the Mac :p

So theres my small review. Feel free to ask any questions. :)

[TheGimp]

What happened to your fps once you got the shotgun? That's where it started really taxing my Nvidia 5200, even on a G5.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

What happened to your fps once you got the shotgun? That's where it started really taxing my Nvidia 5200, even on a G5.

when I take it out, its usually the first shot that chops things up a little, then it gets better from there

[Phat_Pat]

One thing that I have noticed is that the resolution doesn't seem to matter. I've got it at 1900 x 1200 and its no different from the lowest setting.

The only thing that ever slows my machine down is the opening of doors. (new textures to load.... doors with windows don't do anything) and thats only like 3 frames for like half a second. :D :cool:

[JeDiBoYTJ]

I decided to raise my resolution to 800x600, no performance hit at all.

I also unpacked the pak001-004.pk3 files, and it helped a little

I ran a timedemo just now, and it showed an average of 24fps and the only time it would get any lower is when a monster jumps out and attacks, or when a door is opened.

Overall, just walking around - constant 60fps
opening a door/loading new textures, drops to about 30fps
monster jumping out - goes down to about 12fps
attacking the monster - goes back up to about 25fps

overall, a very playable experience

[x86isslow]

Since my computer : RevC 12" pBook (1.33ghz, 768ram) was under the recommended specs, I tried a cracked copy of Doom that my friend gave me.
To my surprise, I was able to run the game rather well, so I think I might actually buy the game.
Its scary stuff, though- not be able to see what/where you're shooting.


one question- how are you guys getting framerates?
---
edit: Thanks, framerates have now been posted. Let me revise what I wrote above: I had arrived at the conclusion that it was playable at 1024x768 before I actually made it to the scientist. Once H e double L breaks loose, you can't play at that rez and expect it to be fun. :o

[JeDiBoYTJ]

Since my computer : RevC 12" pBook (1.33ghz, 768ram) was under the recommended specs, I tried a cracked copy of Doom that my friend gave me.
To my surprise, I was able to run the game rather well, so I think I might actually buy the game.
Its scary stuff, though- not be able to see what/where you're shooting.


one question- how are you guys getting framerates?

enter the console - hit Control Option ~

then type in com_showfps 1

and the fps will show in the upper right hand corner

or, if you want to do a benchmark, type in 'timedemo demo1' - which will then run a quick demo and see how long it takes your computer to go through it. my guess is that your machine will be somewhere in the 18-20fps, which is just an average.

[Eevee]

Thanks for the personal review!

Just wondering if you are playing on a 64 VRAM. My powerbook seems similar to yours, except I have a 128 VRAM. Does this help with the frame rate?

Have you finished the game yet? And is the multiplayer as fun as Halo?

Thanks!!! :D

[manicdvln]

i've noticed the lack of personal reviews out that, and the recent thread "has anyone PLAYED Doom 3 yet" has inspired to me write a short review...

Ok, so yeah I bit the bullet and went out and purchased Doom 3 for mac yesterday... knowing not to expect it to run on "ULTRA" graphics or anything.

My Powerbook satisfies the absolute minimum requirement for Doom 3, except that I have 1GB of RAM.

So I loaded it up. Installation was smooth (simple drag 'n drop). Then I launched it. It bounced a couple times in the dock before fading away into Doomsville. Menu Initialization took only a few seconds before the iD intro video played. the Menu then loaded and I selected New Game. being the wuss I am I selected 'Recruit' :p . It then proceeded to load the intro exposition videos. after that, I was fully launched into Doomsville. I started walking around. first couple steps it studdered a bit, but then it proceeded to smooth out. walking around the Mars Facility, I was seeing a constant 25fps or so. I then looked to see what settings it was on. 640x480, Low Quality. Those are the settings it automatticaly choose for my setup. I walked around some more and noticed that even though its on low settings, the game still looks beautiful... im sure its not as good as running it at 60fps on Ultra graphics, but its way more than good enough for me.

When I first encountered the Doom creatures, the fps dropped down to about 20fps, and it began to studder slightly. after that it was fairly smooth. So far im able to run around and shoot the monsters without too much of a drop of in fps.

I also decided to test the Multiplayer mode, which I found to be a little dull. not too many rooms out there to play in. But one good thing is the fact that its Mac - PC compatable, so I was playing with a bunch of PC users who didnt know they made Doom3 for the Mac :p

So theres my small review. Feel free to ask any questions. :)


I played this game on a PC with high quality gfx and 1280 rez around 40-50 fps. It don't matter, you know why?


THIS GAME SUCKS! Let me summarize game, a half life wannabe storyline with 1-2 enemies per room (usually one of them always comes behind of you) with boring logs, security numbers and try to find door keys.

Multiplayer: 1989 called, it wants its game back. What boring and unoriginal mulliplayer. 4 players deathmatch. Wowie!

Good thing I warez'ed it, games like these don't deserve your money.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

I played this game on a PC with high quality gfx and 1280 rez around 40-50 fps. It don't matter, you know why?


THIS GAME SUCKS! Let me summarize game, a half life wannabe storyline with 1-2 enemies per room (usually one of them always comes behind of you) with boring logs, security numbers and try to find door keys.

Multiplayer: 1989 called, it wants its game back. What boring and unoriginal mulliplayer. 4 players deathmatch. Wowie!

Good thing I warez'ed it, games like these don't deserve your money.

Im sorry you feel that way. I find it to be a very fun and creepy game. I dont tend to analyze every little thing about a video game, I just like to enjoy them.

I also didnt get this game for Multiplayer... thats why I have Xbox Live and Halo 2 :)

Half-Life wannabe game? guess what, the Mac doesnt have Half-Life 2, so Doom is doing just fine for me. Have a nice day, and dont let the door hit your A** on the way out :)

and Eevee, I only have the stock 64VRAM. I can only imagine what 128 will do, but I dont think its too much of a difference. maybe a few fps, or better detail at best.

[Mav451]

lol an HL2 fanboy on MR? Will wonders never cease. I've played both D3 and HL2, and to each his own. D3 definitely has the horror movie *jump* factor down though.

Remember to turn the volume up, and the lights down ;)

[Lacero]

Doom 3 can be really fun when you put yourself in the state of mind of the marine on the Mars facility. Especially at high resolutions and shadows turned on, the experience is unlike any other game. I take my time walking around as if I am really there. Doom 3 is not a run and gun type game. I believe it's more intimate and it allows you to experience the game in complete darkness, and especially fun if you have 5.1 surround.

I'll play Doom 3 again, when powerful video cards, updated patches and OpenGL updates and 5.1 sound cards are available for the Mac. Doom 3 is merely a showcase of the technological achievements in 3D programming.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

lol an HL2 fanboy on MR? Will wonders never cease. I've played both D3 and HL2, and to each his own. D3 definitely has the horror movie *jump* factor down though.

Remember to turn the volume up, and the lights down ;)


surely amazed me... lol. I have seen Half Life 2, and it looks like a damn good game... if only it was for mac too.

Doom 3 definatly has the horror movie feeling to it... I found myself being startled a few times... and I walk into rooms slowly. I also find myself taking out a shotgun and saving before I open a door, lol. of course, whenever I do that, there is no enemy there, but when I forget to take out my shotgun... BAM :eek: lol

[quackattack]

Thanks for the review. I have almost the same set up as you, so I was really wondering how it would do. I have the 128 video card, so maybe I can do a little better. ;) Either way, looks like my wallet may have just taken a hit!

[JzzTrump22]

I was really impressed by doom 3 when i saw it running on a pc on display at Microcenter. It looked amazing. I'm going to attempt to run it on my powerbook (specs in my sig). I know it will probably barely run. I'm thinking about adding a 1 gig stick of ram, giving me 1.2 gigs. I hope i can run it like that. Still probably not because i lack the prcessor power.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

I was really impressed by doom 3 when i saw it running on a pc on display at Microcenter. It looked amazing. I'm going to attempt to run it on my powerbook (specs in my sig). I know it will probably barely run. I'm thinking about adding a 1 gig stick of ram, giving me 1.2 gigs. I hope i can run it like that. Still probably not because i lack the prcessor power.

your setup is practically better than mine, minus the RAM.
You have 128VRAM, and a faster HD. So im sure you will get similar, if not better results than I did.

[x86isslow]

Okay, so I ran the timedemo with my settings at 1024 x 768, High, shadows, no AA. I got 2,148 frames in 231.8 seconds for an average 9.3 FPS! :eek:

:mad:

[markjones05]

Will I be able to run it on my Dual 1 ghz mdd G4? I have 1gig ram, Nvidia geforce 4 ti and 200gb of space. Does the game take advantage of dual processors?

[x86isslow]

Will I be able to run it on my Dual 1 ghz mdd G4? I have 1gig ram, Nvidia geforce 4 ti and 200gb of space. Does the game take advantage of dual processors?

The game does not take advantage of dual processors :(

I think the speed of your drives, will be more important than space available. I'm running the game on my Rev C Powerbook, so I'm crippled by the 4200rpm drive. :(

Your GeForce 4 Ti may be a bit of a laggard on the game. I hope it has at least 64 MB vRAM.

Let us know how you do. (Just not in this thread- powerbooks only ;) )

[x86isslow]

1024 x 768, Ultimate, FSAA 16x, Shadows, (that's right, everything )

Lets just say it was BRUTAL. My fans were the loudest I've ever heard them. I thought my computer would melt.



Ready? If you still believe Macs are top of the line gaming machines, don't read on!!

Enough with the warnings, though: 2, 148 Frames in 793.1 seconds, for an average of 2.7 FPS :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

----------

The good news is that the game is definitely still playable.

How, do you ask? No, not at those settings. I redid the demo at the following:

640 x 480, all settings OFF, low quality.

2,148 Frames in 97.5 seconds, for an average !! 22 FPS !!

Finally, we've hit playable. *whew* ;)

[JeDiBoYTJ]

1024 x 768, Ultimate, FSAA 16x, Shadows, (that's right, everything )

Enough with the warnings, though: 2, 148 Frames in 793.1 seconds, for an average of 2.7 FPS :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


but im sure those whole 2 frames you saw every second looked beautiful :p :p

[Santaduck]

nice mini review... I especially liked how you broke down the framerate fluctuations depending on the situation.

When you have some time, I'd love to add your benchmarks to our database. If you're up to it, I'll post exact requirements.

[takminator]

The game does not take advantage of dual processors :(

I think the speed of your drives, will be more important than space available. I'm running the game on my Rev C Powerbook, so I'm crippled by the 4200rpm drive. :(

Your GeForce 4 Ti may be a bit of a laggard on the game. I hope it has at least 64 MB vRAM.

Let us know how you do. (Just not in this thread- powerbooks only ;) )

Thanks for your benchmarks for the Powerbook. I have the same Powerbook as yours with 512 RAM only and 5400 HD. Why does the HD speed matter in this game s much? Does the FPS get affected by how fast the HD is accessed?

[Lacero]

Okay, so I ran the timedemo with my settings at 1024 x 768, High, shadows, no AA. I got 2,148 frames in 231.8 seconds for an average 9.3 FPS! :eek:

:mad:

Does this mean you have to change your name to ppcisslow?

[lhvide@oceandev]

Does this mean you have to change your name to ppcisslow?

Probably not... From what I have read, Macs are slow with games bcs they keep the OS running full tilt even while playing a game, leaving less processor available for gameplay, while the MS OS basically shuts down most of itself to devote all resources to the game.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

nice mini review... I especially liked how you broke down the framerate fluctuations depending on the situation.

When you have some time, I'd love to add your benchmarks to our database. If you're up to it, I'll post exact requirements.

ok, just tell me what I need to do

[AdamR01]

Thanks for your benchmarks for the Powerbook. I have the same Powerbook as yours with 512 RAM only and 5400 HD. Why does the HD speed matter in this game s much? Does the FPS get affected by how fast the HD is accessed?

Unless you don't have enough ram, the hd speed should only effect level loading times.

[ChrisBrightwell]

Who cares about FPS when all you see is a black screen, anyway?

[Eevee]

Cool reviews!! Thanks everyone!

Dunno if I'm going to get the game. Too creepy!!! Yikes! But maybe I will and scare the pants off me!!!!

:D

[Santaduck]

ok, just tell me what I need to do

This goes for anybody as well as Jediboy.

I'm looking for Doom3 Benchmarks for our followup piece at Macologist here (http://www.macologist.org/viewtopic.php?t=1104). I'm even looking for low-end machines so if you have an iBook or early PB or 1Ghz G4 or MM or wtvr, feel free to participate.

Instructions are as follows:

* In game, it is easiest to bind the benchmark command. You only need to do this once:

-open console with control-option-~ (tilde).
-type: bind "F1" "timedemo demo1 cache" <-- this is the benchmark command
-type: bind "F2" "r_skiprender 1" <-this is the way to disable 3D rendering entirely

Now to run a benchmark, you need only press F1. Always take the highest of two runs, as the first run caches information is usually slower. Subsequent runs are usually consistent to 0.1 fps.

_______________________________________
* Settings: I need Eight Benchmarks:

The first six of eight:

In System, there are three menus. 1) Quality (low med high), 2) Resolution, 3) Advanced Options.

- Advanced Options should remain at default. That means all the first four options are enabled EXCEPT for last two: vertical sync and antialiasing are disabled. In addition, I need an another benchmark with Shadows disabled as well.

- I need:
1024x768 + High Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)
800x600 + Medium Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)
640x480 + Low Quality(Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)

IMPORTANT NOTES: when you change Quality or Resolution, you *must* quit the game, then relaunch it before running a benchmark. Do not use ATIccelerator, ATI Display Utilities adjustments, manual CFG tweaks.

The last two of eight:

The last test is sort of a CPU test with 3D rendering disabled.

1024x768 + Medium Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with AND without Shadows)

To run this benchmark, press F2, then press F1.
_______________________________________

I will need the exact specs of your machine, including video card (list how many megs vram shown in System Profiler), RAM, and of course CPU.

NOTES:
* the benchmark command "timedemo demo1 cache" precaches content, so if you have time only to do one run at each setting on a slower machine, the result should be fairly accurate to within 0.2 fps ( as compared to a first-run of "timedemo demo1", which will be much slower).

* please restart your machine before running benchmarks. Close any background processes in Activity monitor, e.g. Kensington mouse driver, setiathome, diskwarrior daemon, iscrobbler, etc.

[Frozonecold]

Before more people complain about the amount of fps you should read this
http://www.cafemacs.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=560

[Phat_Pat]

Before more people complain about the amount of fps you should read this
http://www.cafemacs.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=560
Did you read on?

This news is apparently total BS.

FROM MACBIDOUILLE.COM:

- Doom 3 & Tiger - Lionel - 06:55:43 - Réactions

(Rough translation)
Cafemacs made headlines in claiming that DOOM 3 would double the framerate in Tiger (in latest A414 beta tests). Reactions were sceptical. We asked a Tiger beta tester to try the game for us. G5 Dual 2,5 GHz and a Radeon 9800 just like our own machine under 10.3.8:

(NOTE: sans ombres means without shadows. AVEC ombres means WITH shadows)

10.3.8:
- 800x600 sans Aniso sans Ombres : 50.9 FPS
- 800x600 sans Aniso avec Ombres : 38.3 FPS
- 800x600 avec Aniso 4x sans Ombres : 47.7 FPS
- 800x600 avec Aniso 4x avec Ombres : 37.1 FPS
- 1024x768 sans Aniso sans Ombres : 41.7 FPS
- 1024x768 sans Aniso avec Ombres : 29.6 FPS
- 1024x768 avec Aniso 4x sans Ombres : 38.2 FPS
- 1024x768 avec Aniso 4x avec Ombres : 28.1 FPS

Tiger A414 Beta:

- 800x600 sans Aniso sans Ombres : 52.2 FPS
- 800x600 sans Aniso avec Ombres : 40.2 FPS
- 800x600 avec Aniso 4x sans Ombres : 46.4 FPS
- 800x600 avec Aniso 4x avec Ombres : 35.4 FPS
- 1024x768 sans Aniso sans Ombres : 44.2 FPS
- 1024x768 sans Aniso avec Ombres : 31.6 FPS
- 1024x768 avec Aniso 4x sans Ombres : 37.4 FPS
- 1024x768 avec Aniso 4x avec Ombres : 27.9 FPS

The results are almost identical on both systems.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

This goes for anybody as well as Jediboy.

I'm looking for Doom3 Benchmarks for our followup piece at Macologist here (http://www.macologist.org/viewtopic.php?t=1104). I'm even looking for low-end machines so if you have an iBook or early PB or 1Ghz G4 or MM or wtvr, feel free to participate.

Instructions are as follows:

* In game, it is easiest to bind the benchmark command. You only need to do this once:

-open console with control-option-~ (tilde).
-type: bind "F1" "timedemo demo1 cache" <-- this is the benchmark command
-type: bind "F2" "r_skiprender 1" <-this is the way to disable 3D rendering entirely

Now to run a benchmark, you need only press F1. Always take the highest of two runs, as the first run caches information is usually slower. Subsequent runs are usually consistent to 0.1 fps.

_______________________________________
* Settings: I need Eight Benchmarks:

The first six of eight:

In System, there are three menus. 1) Quality (low med high), 2) Resolution, 3) Advanced Options.

- Advanced Options should remain at default. That means all the first four options are enabled EXCEPT for last two: vertical sync and antialiasing are disabled. In addition, I need an another benchmark with Shadows disabled as well.

- I need:
1024x768 + High Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)
800x600 + Medium Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)
640x480 + Low Quality(Advanced Settings as above, with Shadows AND without Shadows)

IMPORTANT NOTES: when you change Quality or Resolution, you *must* quit the game, then relaunch it before running a benchmark. Do not use ATIccelerator, ATI Display Utilities adjustments, manual CFG tweaks.

The last two of eight:

The last test is sort of a CPU test with 3D rendering disabled.

1024x768 + Medium Quality, (Advanced Settings as above, with AND without Shadows)

To run this benchmark, press F2, then press F1.
_______________________________________

I will need the exact specs of your machine, including video card (list how many megs vram shown in System Profiler), RAM, and of course CPU.

NOTES:
* the benchmark command "timedemo demo1 cache" precaches content, so if you have time only to do one run at each setting on a slower machine, the result should be fairly accurate to within 0.2 fps ( as compared to a first-run of "timedemo demo1", which will be much slower).

* please restart your machine before running benchmarks. Close any background processes in Activity monitor, e.g. Kensington mouse driver, setiathome, diskwarrior daemon, iscrobbler, etc.

seems like you already have a 1.5 PB...unless it has 128VRAM

[JordanNZ]

Playing on my Ti-Book (1GHz, 64 meg R9000 mob).... Will have benchmarks soon.

I'm finding I get quite bored with this game quickly.

[JordanNZ]

Ok, 19.1 fps @ 640x480 with Bump mapping, and Specular on.. Everything else off.

That was the first run, will try some tests with a second etc later.

Not bad for a 1GHz g4, and 512 megs of ram. I think having that L3 cache makes a difference

[Santaduck]

Not bad for a 1GHz g4, and 512 megs of ram. I think having that L3 cache makes a difference

We did a L3 cache test in the article above. I'd love to compare a powerlogix 7457 vs. 7447 at the same clockspeed though. I've heard the 1.5 Ghz 7457 is equivalent to a 1.9 Ghz 7447 in most tasks, but I don't know if that's promotional hyperbole or not.

Anyhow Jordan, if you ever get a strict full battery of tests I'll list your results as well.


PS Jedi our PB was: 1.5Ghz PowerBook X 1 G4 processor. 128MB ATI 9700. 512MB ram (2004)

[psycho bob]

Did you read on?

The only thing I can say is the G5 the beta tester was using had a ATI 9800 in it. As far as I am concerned the drivers for that are currently about as good as they'll get, we need to be looking at the next generation of cards such as the X800's and 6800's of this world. These cards (especially the 6800's) have really poor drivers at the moment, Tiger is supposed to have a decent set. On the PC side the 6800 is at least twice as fast as the 9800, it is there fore possible that the Tiger benchmarks with the NVIDIA card were correct for Doom 3 assuming apple pulled there finger out at long last.
Don't get me wrong I'm not making excuses just holding out some hope. The more benchmarks I see the more I wonder how in hell they actually tested and developed this game. They must know something we don't. Otherwise there could be all kinds of bugs when we are finally able to really explore the graphic capabilities of this game with future macs.

[JeDiBoYTJ]

PS Jedi our PB was: 1.5Ghz PowerBook X 1 G4 processor. 128MB ATI 9700. 512MB ram (2004)

ok. my specs are in my sig (64MB ATI 9700, 1GB RAM). i'll do real benchmarks later, if I have time. :)

[JzzTrump22]

Well i gave it a go and ran the game on the powerbook in my sig. I'd have to say i'm pretty impressed that machine handled it. I mean it was choppy on the default settings, but it did look pretty impressive. I turned the setting to lowest and it did get better. It's still a little laggy, but not much. I think if i added a 1 gig stick of ram then i could run the game pretty well.

[Santaduck]

So have either of you done a full set of benchmarks? I'd love to post your results!

[DrNeroCF]

Well I have the best 15 inch there is, 1.67 with a gig of ram and 128 vram. Does anyone think I would get any better results, or are all the powerbooks capped by the 9700?

I'll try to test it out maybe tomorrow, but don't hold me to that...

[JordanNZ]

So have either of you done a full set of benchmarks? I'd love to post your results!

Will do it tomorrow... Shall I post them here? Or email you?

[JeDiBoYTJ]

Well I have the best 15 inch there is, 1.67 with a gig of ram and 128 vram. Does anyone think I would get any better results, or are all the powerbooks capped by the 9700?

I'll try to test it out maybe tomorrow, but don't hold me to that...

it should most definatly be a little bit faster... i get about 24fps average on mine... im assuming you will probably get about 26-29fps average

[kelvinz]

Fianlly - a positive review with somone who can be objective and not complain that we do not get 413 fps - I'll give up 380 of those fps to not use windows!!!!



ignorance at its best :rolleyes:

[nightdweller25]

I can only imagine how good this game runs when I buyy my 12-inch PowerBook with 768 of RAm and Tiger preinstalled :rolleyes: :) :rolleyes: :)

[Phat_Pat]

On My system (See below)

Running 1920 x 1200, Ultra, 2x FSAA, Everythin in Advanced options on, got 19.1 FPS.

[Lacero]

On My system (See below)

Running 1920 x 1200, Ultra, 2x FSAA, Everythin in Advanced options on, got 19.1 FPS.

Are you able to go to 16xAA? The option is there but my video card doesn't support it. Perhaps this feature is reserved for future cards.

[Phat_Pat]

Are you able to go to 16xAA? The option is there but my video card doesn't support it. Perhaps this feature is reserved for future cards.
I see it but i haven't tried it. at 1920 x 1200 you can hardly notice AA. Well.... I can't :rolleyes:

[Santaduck]

Will do it tomorrow... Shall I post them here? Or email you?
Thank you!

posting here will be fine.

Remember: please do not use the ATI Displays control panel vsync tweak for these results.

[ericssonboi]

I'll also see if i can get my hands on the game... Hopefully it won't be too hard to find..

[Capt Underpants]

Probably not... From what I have read, Macs are slow with games bcs they keep the OS running full tilt even while playing a game, leaving less processor available for gameplay, while the MS OS basically shuts down most of itself to devote all resources to the game.

Um... no...

Maybe the games are slower on macs because of crappy processors and a lack of GPU power. Not to mention the fact that most of the decent games on the mac platform are poorly ported PC titles.

It's so weird how people can be happy with as little as 12.5 FPS! That is a freakin' slideshow! I will always have a PC for gaming and a mac for everything else. You have to use what's best for the job...

[Santaduck]

I'll also see if i can get my hands on the game... Hopefully it won't be too hard to find..

hm are we skirting close to violating the MR forums TOS, or are you saying brick & mortar stores are hard to find in your locale? If the latter, I suggest the revolutionary new world of online retailers.