Crysis with Mac Pro Nvidia 8800GT

[mac2maverick]

What are peoples experiences running Crysis on the 2008 Mac Pro's? For me this game is amazing. I'm unable to run it smoothly with everything on very high and I'm thinking that this has something to do with the fact that I'm using Vista Home Basic 32-bit. I've ordered the 64-bit home basic but it hasn't arrived yet. The graphics and game play are truly amazing with this graphics card. Anyone using 2600XT or 2600Pro? I'm running a Dell 2407-HC at 1920X1200.

If AVG is on I will be guaranteed to have it crash.

[Mercuric Oxide]

What are peoples experiences running Crysis on the 2008 Mac Pro's? For me this game is amazing. I'm unable to run it smoothly with everything on very high and I'm thinking that this has something to do with the fact that I'm using Vista Home Basic 32-bit. I've ordered the 64-bit home basic but it hasn't arrived yet. The graphics and game play are truly amazing with this graphics card. Anyone using 2600XT or 2600Pro?

If AVG is on I will be guaranteed to have it crash.

Your Mac Pro setup is fine, current video cards cannot max out Crysis.

You can only comfortably run it on mostly very high (at 9120 x 1080, no AA) with two nvidia 9800 GX2's in SLI ($1200).

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ3OCwzLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

[Tallest Skil]

You can only comfortably run it on mostly very high (at 1920 x 1080, no AA) with two nvidia 9800 GX2's in SLI ($1200).

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ3OCwzLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Except... not on a Mac Pro, anyway. You're right, though. There is NOTHING out there, not even a dual card solution, that can handle Crysis.

[tominated]

bull. dual 9600gt's can handle it at about 28-50 fps

[Mercuric Oxide]

bull. dual 9600gt's can handle it at about 28-50 fps

we're talking about all very high at 1920 x 1080 here

[BornAgainMac]

I have a Nvidia 7900 GS and was planning to upgrade to the 8800GT just because of this game. I think I'll wait a year or two until the video card hardware can handle it and make do with the 7900. I can at least see what it looks like at the highest settings with my card when I just want to walk along the beach or see the sunrise. I have DirectX 10 and the quality is still very good at the low frame rates. It is very playable at the low settings.

[mac2maverick]

Thanks for the posts guys :)

[tominated]

we're talking about all very high at 1920 x 1080 here

well, it can handle the very high bit.

[Eric.]

I have a Nvidia 7900 GS and was planning to upgrade to the 8800GT just because of this game. I think I'll wait a year or two until the video card hardware can handle it and make do with the 7900. I can at least see what it looks like at the highest settings with my card when I just want to walk along the beach or see the sunrise. I have DirectX 10 and the quality is still very good at the low frame rates. It is very playable at the low settings.

Actually, no. DX10 requires a Geforce 8xxx or one of ATI's 2xxx series cards.

[ChrisN]

Im wondering what computers do crytek have that can run crysis at max settings and effects?

ChrisN

[tominated]

Im wondering what computers do crytek have that can run crysis at max settings and effects?

ChrisN

they probably have some dual cpu thing with two 8800 ultra's going.

[Eric.]

While I played the demo and thought that the game was excellent (custom gaming PC - E6600, 2GB, 7900GT) I feel that they went too hardcore with the graphics. I ran it in 1280x1024 with pretty much all low settings and the opening sequence of you in the plane was murder on the computer. It managed to keep low 20fps in that. Otherwise it ran okay but the with the draw distance and other things being cut down it wouldn't be worth playing that way.

But a PS3 version is in the works that is supposed to be 50% new. I'm not certain if that means Crysis + additional story or more or less having a condensed story of PC Crysis and then continuing its own way.

[tominated]

But a PS3 version is in the works that is supposed to be 50% new. I'm not certain if that means Crysis + additional story or more or less having a condensed story of PC Crysis and then continuing its own way.

I'd say it means new as in more story. BTW: Thanks to my dad, I might be getting a 9800gx2 in the next (sadly) non mac computer. He wants it to last as long as possible, so i suggested this, and he didn't mind, even with the price!

[Eric.]

You'd be better off using SLI with two 8800GTs or 8800GTSs (G92, the 512MB ones). The GX2 supposedly isn't much better than a 8800 Ultra.

[vaderhater245]

wait for the 9800GT's to come out! if they're at the right price, these babies in SLI might do pretty well compared to a single 9800GX2.

[tominated]

the idea of getting a gx2 is that i can get another down the track. Anyway, the gx2 is $10 cheaper than an Ultra.

[eXan]

What are peoples experiences running Crysis on the 2008 Mac Pro's? For me this game is amazing. I'm unable to run it smoothly with everything on very high and I'm thinking that this has something to do with the fact that I'm using Vista Home Basic 32-bit. I've ordered the 64-bit home basic but it hasn't arrived yet. The graphics and game play are truly amazing with this graphics card. Anyone using 2600XT or 2600Pro? I'm running a Dell 2407-HC at 1920X1200.

If AVG is on I will be guaranteed to have it crash.

I think part of your problem is that you're using Home Basic. This is just trash... use Home Premium, especially on that machine !

[Spanky Deluxe]

Is Crysis actually worth it? I know the graphics are meant to be amazing but from what I've seen, they're not worth the graphical computational cost. Other games like UT3 and even Half-life 2 seem to have graphics that are almost as good yet let you play at high resolutions smoothly. I've heard the game isn't even that fun!

[eXan]

Is Crysis actually worth it? I know the graphics are meant to be amazing but from what I've seen, they're not worth the graphical computational cost. Other games like UT3 and even Half-life 2 seem to have graphics that are almost as good yet let you play at high resolutions smoothly. I've heard the game isn't even that fun!

If you look close enough, the graphics of Crysis is actually on another level of those from UT3. And HF2 is the past now.

About the gameplay: I prefer UT3, due to my love towards the whole UT series, but from videos of Crysis its not bad too. When I get a new Mac that can play new games I will get both.

[leighonigar]

I think part of your problem is that you're using Home Basic. This is just trash... use Home Premium, especially on that machine !

Would it matter? Can't home basic still deal with four cores but not eight, i.e. one socket vs. two? He's got a quad.

"While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors." - microsoft

[Tallest Skil]

If you look close enough, the graphics of Crysis is actually on another level of those from UT3. And HF2 is the past now.

Is there anywhere that I can go to see large, highish resolution comparisons of the graphics of these games? It seems to me that Half-Life 2 does NOT have graphics from the "past", even though the game was made a decent amount of time ago (and that I can't even run it with full settings). Of course, this is coming from someone who went from the Halo Demo to The Orange Box, so obviously the Valve stuff looked parsecs ahead.

[mac2maverick]

I've received vista 64 bit but haven't installed it yet. I can't imagine the graphics actually getting better.

As you go through the various levels of Crysis the graphics seem to get better and better. The opening scene on the plane sucks compared to later levels. The tank level is flat out amazing. I've only gone into the Alien cave section where you're floating around.

[eXan]

Is there anywhere that I can go to see large, highish resolution comparisons of the graphics of these games?

I'd like to see it too ^^

[krye]

I just have one question. If you're having such a hard time finding a card to max out this game, I wonder what the game manufacturers use in house for QA Validation?

[fergusonbk]

The reason why crysis graphics are so advanced is because everything in the game is real and stays that way. To better explain, when you say grab a chicken in the game, throw it at somebodys face forcefully to kill them, then run around doing stuff, when you come back 15, 30 minutes later whatever it is the chicken will be there.
Yea, I'm not trying to too hard right now to explain this nicely, but the game retains everything that has happened, always. This means you can run back through the whole level and get the gun you forgot to get, or you can stash explosives in a house and come back later to blow it up from afar etc... Games like half life and UT3 (actually almost any game I believe) dont have a system as advanced as this.
Furthermore almost everything in Crysis is interactive and destructible, adding immensely to the realism. When you unload shots in the woods, trees fall down where they are hit and splinter, and they will be that way when you load the save the next day. You can have fun just messing with the game, creating tree houses, throwing chickens around, jesus this game is awesome. I barely play the story line anymore, it's too much fun causing havoc. realistically.

holler at your doy

[Huntn]

Is Crysis actually worth it? I know the graphics are meant to be amazing but from what I've seen, they're not worth the graphical computational cost. Other games like UT3 and even Half-life 2 seem to have graphics that are almost as good yet let you play at high resolutions smoothly. I've heard the game isn't even that fun!

I'm in the part where you are crawling around on the island. If you like sneaking around avoiding detection and ambushing the bad guys it can be very fun. You can take a long time to cover a relatively short distance. Some will consider this more tedious than a game like Half Life or Halo.

Lots of talk online about how advanced the game is, and lack of cards that can really support the game, but as is the jungle fauna and atmospheric effects are *very* nice.

[Siron]

I've received vista 64 bit but haven't installed it yet. I can't imagine the graphics actually getting better.


I installed XP Business 32 initially and played Crysis with all settings on HIGH (VERY HIGH only available when running DX10). It played pretty good at 1200x1600 with no AA, but had to drop back to 1280x1024 on occasions when frame rates dropped.
I just installed Vista Business 64 and played the game again with all settings on VERY HIGH at 1200x1600 and it played much better. By getting the 64 bit version of Vista you open up DX10 which is much better than DX9. It allows the CPU to carry some of the load and with a MP Octo that really helps.
Vista 64 is the way to go - especially with DX10 games.
Alan

[Maldini]

I installed XP Business 32 initially and played Crysis with all settings on HIGH (VERY HIGH only available when running DX10). It played pretty good at 1200x1600 with no AA, but had to drop back to 1280x1024 on occasions when frame rates dropped.
I just installed Vista Business 64 and played the game again with all settings on VERY HIGH at 1200x1600 and it played much better. By getting the 64 bit version of Vista you open up DX10 which is much better than DX9. It allows the CPU to carry some of the load and with a MP Octo that really helps.
Vista 64 is the way to go - especially with DX10 games.
Alan
Which Graphic card did you use? the 8800 GT?

[Siron]

Which Graphic card did you use? the 8800 GT?

Yes the 8800GT - check my sig :)
Alan

[motoko2030]

I am planning on getting a Early 2008 Mac Pro with the following specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
4GB
1TB 7200-rpm SATA
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

I will be using this to play mainly PC games, like Crysis and the upcoming Mass Effect game using Vista x64 through bootcamp.

What kind of performance would I expect in playing Crysis with these specs with all settings mostly on high?

[motoko2030]

I am planning on getting a Early 2008 Mac Pro with the following specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
4GB
1TB 7200-rpm SATA
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

I will be using this to play mainly PC games, like Crysis and the upcoming Mass Effect game using Vista x64 through bootcamp.

What kind of performance would I expect in playing Crysis with these specs with all settings mostly on high?

[siorai]

I am planning on getting a Early 2008 Mac Pro with the following specs:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
4GB
1TB 7200-rpm SATA
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

I will be using this to play mainly PC games, like Crysis and the upcoming Mass Effect game using Vista x64 through bootcamp.

What kind of performance would I expect in playing Crysis with these specs with all settings mostly on high?

I've got the Octo-core, but with only the default 2GB. All settings on high in-game, but I turn motion blur right down (hate the way it looks) and set AA to 2x and at 1920x1200 I get a pretty solid 30fps. It'll jump up to about 45 at times though, but no less than 25.

[motoko2030]

Is there much of a difference between quad core and the octo core when playing Crysis?

[mac2maverick]

Is there much of a difference between quad core and the octo core when playing Crysis?

From what I read there isn't a difference - that's why I bought the quad core. Spend the extra money on an extra graphics card or more ram and you'll get more performance for your money.

[eXan]

Is there much of a difference between quad core and the octo core when playing Crysis?

No difference when going from dual to quad, not to mention quad to octo -_-

[Tallest Skil]

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
4GB
1TB 7200-rpm SATA
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB


Sounds good.

Don't buy the RAM from Apple, don't buy the hard drive from Apple. You can get an additional terabyte drive to compliment your 320 for the same price as Apple's upgrade to one terabyte.

[mac2maverick]

Sounds good.

Don't buy the RAM from Apple, don't buy the hard drive from Apple. You can get an additional terabyte drive to compliment your 320 for the same price as Apple's upgrade to one terabyte.

Definitely agree with this one.

[motoko2030]

As for the operating system; which one is the best, XP Pro x64 or Vista x64 for playing Crysis.

I have read conflicting reports saying that vista x64 increases the performance of games by 15% and that XP Pro x64 runs slower on a Mac Pro if you don't streamline the patches with the installation disc.

[mac2maverick]

As for the operating system; which one is the best, XP Pro x64 or Vista x64 for playing Crysis.

I have read conflicting reports saying that vista x64 increases the performance of games by 15% and that XP Pro x64 runs slower on a Mac Pro if you don't streamline the patches with the installation disc.

I've read some stuff that says 64-bit Vista is better than 32-bit, although there were conflicting views. Some people also said Vista Home Basic 64-bit wouldn't work as well as the other versions of Vista but I didn't get any clear reasons why. I use the 32-bit home basic and haven't even bothered to install the 64-bit version that's just sitting on my desk. Apparently Vista is getting better than XP when it's 64-bit.

[Siron]

Get Vista Business 64. It will use all of your RAM and recognize the eight cores (if ever games are programmed to use them).
Alan

[Fogtripper]

MP 3.0 Octo
6 GIGs RAM
ATI Radeon HD 2600
Vista Home Premium 32-bit via Boot Camp

I have been experimenting since I picked up Crysis a couple days ago. Haven't gone very far into the game (got to get a mouse with a 3rd button) but have been experimenting with the settings.
All on medium worked pretty well.
All on high but shadows and shaders on medium worked almost as well.
Cutscenes suck donkey balls either way. Which is rather odd. Why is gameplay smoother than cutscenes?

[siorai]

Cutscenes suck donkey balls either way. Which is rather odd. Why is gameplay smoother than cutscenes?

I don't really get this part either. The game runs totally fine while playing, but enter a cutscene and it's choptastic. It's pretty funny though. Remember when it was the other way around? You be playing a game, especially something by Blizzard and then the cutscene would start and your mind would be blown away. Sure it was pre-rendered of course, but still... Cutscenes used to be almost like the reward for making it to a certain point in a game. Now? They're almost an annoyance as you see performance tank for a couple minutes.