New EA Games on MB with GMA X3100?

[supertramp2k]

any one know if the New Macbooks will run the EA games (i.e. Tigerwood 08, madden 08, NFS, C&C3...)? I think the previous generation couldn't with the older GMA graphics card.

[kaltsasa]

The new X1300 is supposed to have some new shaders and things to make it more game friendly. I remember seeing Intel demo it with like FEAR running at like 25 FPS. I suspect they will run well, albit on lower settings.

[twoodcc]

i sure hope that it will. i don't think apple has updated their site to confirm this yet though

[Eidorian]

Enjoy! (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=344093)

[twoodcc]

Enjoy! (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=344093)

yes, but that still doesn't mean the new EA games will run on it, does it?

[Eidorian]

yes, but that still doesn't mean the new EA games will run on it, does it?No not really.

[socamx]

Not to be mister-negative or whatever, but new fancy shaders doesn't make it a performer. It is still only marginally better than a GMA 950 in terms of FPS output in real-world gaming tests. The GMA series really is scraping the bottom of the barrel of current graphics cards in terms of 3D performance.

So just take the upgrade with a grain of salt and don't expect wonders from it. If you set your expectations too high you'll be sorely disappointed in the GMA X3100's performance.

[twoodcc]

Not to be mister-negative or whatever, but new fancy shaders doesn't make it a performer. It is still only marginally better than a GMA 950 in terms of FPS output in real-world gaming tests. The GMA series really is scraping the bottom of the barrel of current graphics cards in terms of 3D performance.

So just take the upgrade with a grain of salt and don't expect wonders from it. If you set your expectations too high you'll be sorely disappointed in the GMA X3100's performance.

i really don't think many have very high expectations of this card. (if it's even a card :p ) i think if it plays the EA games at all is a big deal though

[Spikeanator6982]

in the video he mentions it being able to play BF2142 and bf2 along with many,3-7 others at least. but..apple drivers need to come soon to really help it out.

[cube]

I read this graphics is only twice as fast as the previous one.

[bobber205]

I read this graphics is only twice as fast as the previous one.

I have the 3000 one on my motherboard and it's alot better than the 950 imho.

[Eidorian]

Once I get my Macbook, I'll do comprehensive benchmarks and try to take requests.

[triobot]

Once I get my Macbook, I'll do comprehensive benchmarks and try to take requests.

what you gonna use to benchmark? wanna see it myself :)

[Eidorian]

what you gonna use to benchmark? wanna see it myself :)


http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=4451937&postcount=66

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=4452067&postcount=69

[twoodcc]

Once I get my Macbook, I'll do comprehensive benchmarks and try to take requests.

cool, i didn't realize you took the plunge :)

[Eidorian]

cool, i didn't realize you took the plunge :)I missed having my personal Mac.

[gojaromeiginla]

Why don't they put out an Nvidia chip for the MacBook? They have it on the Mac Pro. It's logical for gaming. Heck, why don't the have Nvidia chips on all Macs. Kinda like what they're doing with Intel Processors. That would almost certainly allow the EA Sports series to work, just to get back on topic.

[Eidorian]

Why don't they put out an Nvidia chip for the MacBook? They have it on the Mac Pro. It's logical for gaming. Heck, why don't the have Nvidia chips on all Macs. Kinda like what they're doing with Intel Processors. That would almost certainly allow the EA Sports series to work, just to get back on topic.Apple more then likely gets a better deal if they use the 'G' chipsets from Intel.

[twoodcc]

I missed having my personal Mac.

i see. looks like you bought it at the right time. ;)

have you gotten the macbook yet? do you have any of the EA games?

[Eidorian]

i see. looks like you bought it at the right time. ;)

have you gotten the macbook yet? do you have any of the EA games?I have the MacBook right now but I don't have any plans on buying those EA games.

[gojaromeiginla]

Apple more then likely gets a better deal if they use the 'G' chipsets from Intel.

They would get the better deal, but they wouldn't get the better chips, which is unfortunate.

[fblack]

Once I get my Macbook, I'll do comprehensive benchmarks and try to take requests.

That would be great. :cool:

In the meantime barefeats posted some preliminary gaming bench marks with non-EA titles. It doesn't look pretty at 1280x800 HQ. However, I'd like to have an idea of what the results might look like at medium quality and lower rez. Halo and UT2004 might be acceptable then.


http://barefeats.com/mbook.html

[nyprimus4]

If they throw a dedicated GPU in a Macbook, MBP sales would decrease.

[Carrot007]

If they throw a dedicated GPU in a Macbook, MBP sales would decrease.

Indeed, unless of course it was so low spec that it made no difference.

I would however like a dedicated GPU in a 13.3 form factor like the macbook. Yes it would cost more than the macbook. The model in the MBP range are too large for my liking.

[twoodcc]

I have the MacBook right now but I don't have any plans on buying those EA games.

i see. well, enjoy your new macbook :cool:

[fblack]

If they throw a dedicated GPU in a Macbook, MBP sales would decrease.

Not necessarily. It depends on how the 2 lines are differentiated. Back in 2004 the iBooks had the Radeon 9200 w/32vram vs the Powerbooks Radeon 9700 w/64vram. The radeon 9700 was a decent card the 9200 was not. The Powerbooks had more ram expansion, faster cpus, etc., etc.

Faster bus speeds, faster cpu, more expansion slots, backlit keyboard, better & larger screens, ability to support larger external monitors, very large HD options for pros, and better graphics chips are ways of seperating a pro line from the consumer line. Apple has done it in the past. What it comes down to now imho is whatever deal they have with Intel and profit margins. Intel wants to dominate the integrated graphics market, and Apple wants fat profit margins. This is probably the deciding factors.

Indeed, unless of course it was so low spec that it made no difference.

I would however like a dedicated GPU in a 13.3 form factor like the macbook. Yes it would cost more than the macbook. The model in the MBP range are too large for my liking.

I'd be ok with a low end card in a macbook, but I want a 15.4 inch screen because of my lousy eyesight. I don't think I should be forced to pay for a pro machine to get a larger screen.

[Eidorian]

I'm noticing some broken textures in Mac Homeworld and Homeworld 2. These are PowerPC applications as well.

[fblack]

I'm noticing some broken textures in Mac Homeworld and Homeworld 2. These are PowerPC applications as well.

Wow, I ran Homeworld2 on my underpowered G4 with a piece of junk Nvidia Geforce4 MX and had no graphical issues.

[Eidorian]

Wow, I ran Homeworld2 on my underpowered G4 with a piece of junk Nvidia Geforce4 MX and had no graphical issues.I'm thinking that it has something to do with either Rosetta or how X3100 drivers.

Sims 2 Body Shop works just fine though.