WoW on Intel iMac

[arn]

People see this?

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/1/12/2478


It's fast, fast as in a superlative and not a comparative sense. One wonders why Steve Jobs didn't blow the crowd away with the saturated colors and excessive frame rates of WoW on an iMac. It loaded fast, and when the first character popped up in town, the frame rate never dropped below 60, and this was pretty much going full tilt in the settings.


They mention WoW for Intel will be released in 3 weeks and will be free - I assume they're saying that the upgrade will be free.

arn

[atari1356]

That's pretty exciting. The MacBook Pro's should perform pretty nicely as well... definitely a huge step up from the 10-20fps I'd get on my 1.5Ghz G4 PowerBook.

[Nikore]

The one thing I was wondering is what where the settings they where useing. If they where maxed out on everything then that pretty much kicks my PowerMac's butt!! None the less it kicks my ibooks butt even if they turned everything off!

[atari1356]

The one thing I was wondering is what where the settings they where useing. If they where maxed out on everything then that pretty much kicks my PowerMac's butt!! None the less it kicks my ibooks butt even if they turned everything off!

The article doesn't give specifics, but it does say: "... and this was pretty much going full tilt in the settings"

[dubbz]

They mention WoW for Intel will be released in 3 weeks and will be free - I assume they're saying that the upgrade will be free.

Ye, supposedly Intel support will be included in patch v. 1.9.3 or 1.9.4.

Good to see that performance doesn't dissapoint.

[atari1356]

One more thought...

If and when people are able to install Windows XP on the new Intel iMacs/MacBooks, it will be very interesting to see how the framerates compare when running WoW in Windows vs. running it under Mac OS X.

Windows XP vs. Mac OS X ... who will win? :D (I'd guess Windows XP because DirectX is supposed to be very optimized for performance at this point)

[risc]

100 FPS! Jesus H Christ :D My Power Mac Dual G5 / 6800 Ultra DDL is a POS. :D

[Josh396]

Well I just picked up 2 Intel iMacs from my local Apple store today for my Uncle and my cousin so I'll be interested to see how many FPS my cousin gets without it running the Universal Binary. I'm sure it won't be as good but I'm sure it will be a good baseline with nowhere to go but up. I'm hoping the 256 VRAM will help boost performance in WoW because I decided not to take one from the store and buy one online.

[comictimes]

*does happy dance*

I assume it's similar to this for the macbooks.

eeeee!!!

[ZildjianKX]

Nice...

On a somewhat related note, has anyone else noticed a performance decrease from the latest WoW patch? 1.9.2 I think.

[combatcolin]

Thats it.

I NEED AN INTEL POWERMAC.

I NEED TO RUN WOW AT 1920 * 1200 RES WITH ALL SETTINGS ON HIGH

I NEED TO CALM DOWN.

:p

[Nermal]

Not exactly on topic, but whatever... :)

Was playing WoW on a friend's Windows PC today and he gets an effect where sounds echo if you're in a cave. Neither of my Macs do this, and there doesn't seem to be an option for it in the settings. Any idea why he gets this effect and I don't?

[WinterMute]

I really didn't need to read this...

I'm trying not to buy a 20" Intel iMac on the basis that I don't want 1st gen hardware, and it needs to run Protools and a bunch of 3rd party apps ALL of which are bound to be really slow in coming over to UB...

...but WoW at 100fps for free?

Bastards...

Just... bastards....

<cries quietly>

:D

[BakedBeans]

I really didn't need to read this...

I'm trying not to buy a 20" Intel iMac on the basis that I don't want 1st gen hardware, and it needs to run Protools and a bunch of 3rd party apps ALL of which are bound to be really slow in coming over to UB...

...but WoW at 100fps for free?

Bastards...

Just... bastards....

<cries quietly>

:D

REV A. myth is a killer :p

its all under warranty - come on order one

[neonart]

Never really understood 1st gen fears. I've had a number of 1st Gen Apple products (iBook, iPod, G4 iMac, my current G5) and never really experienced any issues.

Sure, new, faster hardware is always around the corner, but thats how it is regardless.

If these machines can perform in this fashion and you have a need (or desire) for one, then go get one and enjoy it!

This is really great news!

[combatcolin]

I bought a 1st gen iMac and was, and still am happy with my Mac.

I wouldn't buy another iMac, simply because i want a Powermac, but 1st gen worries are mostly, as said earlier, a myth.

Roll on the Powermac replacement!

[Ja Di ksw]

I'm not sure the first generation worries are a myth, though some people may take them too far. I have a friend that repairs computers for a living, and he says he sees lots of Macs that are first generation, significantly more than later generations. Does this means you are likely to get a faulty one? No. The vast majority are still fine, and even if you do, it's covered under warranty. But I wouldn't call first generation worries a "myth".

On a side note, when I got my powerbook, it was several generations into the line, and I was all happy until I opened it and saw a crack in the middle of my trackpad. Of course, Apple replaced it (and my screen which had a blue line running horizontally) for free. Just thought I should point out that waiting for later generations does not guarantee you from getting a computer without a problem.

[MacRumorUser]

Just thought I should point out that waiting for later generations does not guarantee you from getting a computer without a problem.

Agreed, look at the Rev E powerbook.

Though my Jan 04' Rev A G5 powermac had problem with processor. 1 had to be replaced only a couple of weeks into purchase. Since then 2-years later had no problems.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Yes... like my +2 years iBook G4@800 didn't feel old enough... :(

Now, give me a 12-13" MacBook at an affordable price... :D

[nospleen]

I really didn't need to read this...

I'm trying not to buy a 20" Intel iMac on the basis that I don't want 1st gen hardware, and it needs to run Protools and a bunch of 3rd party apps ALL of which are bound to be really slow in coming over to UB...

...but WoW at 100fps for free?

Bastards...

Just... bastards....

<cries quietly>

:D


ehem, applecare.;) :D

[Nermal]

Never really understood 1st gen fears. I've had a number of 1st Gen Apple products (iBook, iPod, G4 iMac, my current G5) and never really experienced any issues.

Exactly. It's just a vocal minority. There was a recent issue with iPods (cracked screens?) and if you listened to forums you'd think that the majority of them had problems. When Apple announced a repair programme, they also said that the problem affects less than 0.1 % of units. Vocal minority.

[Agathon]

Nice...

On a somewhat related note, has anyone else noticed a performance decrease from the latest WoW patch? 1.9.2 I think.

Yep, and I cancelled.

I'm happy to play the game at 15-25 FPS which is what I used to get on my Powerbook, but it got worse in the last patch, and the latency and disconnection issues were just lame. Unless I hear that things have got better, I'm done with the game.

[comictimes]

Nice...

On a somewhat related note, has anyone else noticed a performance decrease from the latest WoW patch? 1.9.2 I think.

Yes, but then again my entire computer has been having a sudden performance decrease in the last few days. I think I need to reinstall the OS...

[plonk420]

Yep, and I cancelled.

I'm happy to play the game at 15-25 FPS which is what I used to get on my Powerbook, but it got worse in the last patch, and the latency and disconnection issues were just lame. Unless I hear that things have got better, I'm done with the game.

not why you cancelled. those latency isues cropped up in 1.9 and 1.9.1, and were fixed in 1.9.2 (patched within last day or two, less than 4-5days of 1.9 having been released, IIRC). as for speeds, not sure what to say. i run a 6600GT ^_^

[WinterMute]

REV A. myth is a killer :p

its all under warranty - come on order one

Warranty is fine and they fixed my 17", but it's a pain in the arse to have to shift the thing back and forth.

It took two trips to Apple to fix and in the end they gave me an entirely new machine.

I'd always avoided 1st gen hardware, not just in computers, but in pro-audio too, and the one time I break my own rule I get a complete lemon that would crash of you looked at it funny...

That said, if Digidesign get their act together and announce a UB version of Protools I might just have to....

...the internal pics look like a dogs breakfast though...

Meh.:D

Exactly. It's just a vocal minority. There was a recent issue with iPods (cracked screens?) and if you listened to forums you'd think that the majority of them had problems. When Apple announced a repair programme, they also said that the problem affects less than 0.1 % of units. Vocal minority.

I still think there are more problems with 1st gen hardware, anyone with a problem is going to be vocal.

This is still Apple beta testing in the public (paying) domain.

Anyway, I cleared the last of the Mauradon quests last night, took the Princess down and levelled to 50 with my Warrior... All on a 1st gen 17" G4 1Ghz PowerBook...

[Agathon]

not why you cancelled. those latency isues cropped up in 1.9 and 1.9.1, and were fixed in 1.9.2 (patched within last day or two, less than 4-5days of 1.9 having been released, IIRC). as for speeds, not sure what to say. i run a 6600GT ^_^

The latencies had been getting worse on my server since a week into December. There's also the issue of frequent disconnects and that the game had taken to deleting all my macros and keybindings every time I exited it.

The Blizzard rep I spoke to said that it was the massive influx of players over the holidays, and that Blizzard was looking to enable transfers and new servers to deal with the problems. Apparently, if one server has problems, it will cause certain other servers to have them as well, even if, like Greymane, that server only has medium pop.

I'll keep an eye on the WoW forums and go back if it looks like it's fixed.

[Nermal]

I still think there are more problems with 1st gen hardware

Of course, I'm not denying that :)

First gen or not, I'm still going to buy one - going to list my G5 on an auction site next weekend then buy a new one if it hits reserve.

Anyway, I cleared the last of the Mauradon quests last night, took the Princess down and levelled to 50 with my Warrior... All on a 1st gen 17" G4 1Ghz PowerBook...

I haven't even started Maraudon yet! I should put in a determined effort to get somewhere with my 48, rather than start little characters everywhere (I have about six chars <20) :rolleyes:

[edesignuk]

Even though my iMac is never used for gaming anyway...I can still hear my revA iMac G5 sobbing :o

[DrNeroCF]

Even if the Rev A myth is completely bogus, there's plenty of reasons to not buy an Intel mac yet. Mostly, if you wait until Rev B, plenty more Apps will be universal, and the mac will most likely be more powerful/less expensive.

Right now, you can get all that power, but what will you use it with?

[Bubbasteve]

Even if the Rev A myth is completely bogus, there's plenty of reasons to not buy an Intel mac yet. Mostly, if you wait until Rev B, plenty more Apps will be universal, and the mac will most likely be more powerful/less expensive.

Right now, you can get all that power, but what will you use it with?

I dunno about less expensive but they will obviously be more powerful

[grapes911]

I dunno about less expensive but they will obviously be more powerful

Well, intel processors are less expensive than PPCs of the same clock speed. So while the Macs themselves won't be cheaper, the processors will be. Thus we can have those more powerful macs for no increase in cost.

[MacRumorUser]

Well, intel processors are less expensive than PPCs of the same clock speed. So while the Macs themselves won't be cheaper, the processors will be. Thus we can have those more powerful macs for no increase in cost.

Intel chips aren't really any cheaper, and the new ones apple are using are generally more expensive than the models they are replacing.

Hence the reason we are seeing apple using Intel motheboards and standard gfx chips. No PC intel 945 motherboard has Firewire 800 and hence it's dissaperance on the new macbookpro...

You get more power, same cost - but with some trade offs. But that's life..

[combatcolin]

Even if the Rev A myth is completely bogus, there's plenty of reasons to not buy an Intel mac yet. Mostly, if you wait until Rev B, plenty more Apps will be universal, and the mac will most likely be more powerful/less expensive.

Right now, you can get all that power, but what will you use it with?

Byt he time i buy an Intel Powemac replacement i expect everything to be Universal.

June time?

Hmmm, WOW at full screen....tasty...

[MacRumorUser]

Byt he time i buy an Intel Powemac replacement i expect everything to be Universal.

June time?

Hmmm, WOW at full screen....tasty...

If its true that the powermac will use Memron, then it looks like September (as that's when the chips will be ready - but maybe not readily available ;) )

Probably upgrade my powermac Jan 2007 when my Applecare runs out on my 2004 Dual 1.8G5..

If only I could decide between iMac Duo or MacBookPro now to replace my liney 15" pb.. aghhhh...

[combatcolin]

If its true that the powermac will use Memron, then it looks like September (as that's when the chips will be ready - but maybe not readily available ;) )

Probably upgrade my powermac Jan 2007 when my Applecare runs out on my 2004 Dual 1.8G5..

If only I could decide between iMac Duo or MacBookPro now to replace my liney 15" pb.. aghhhh...

Ah well, gives me time to clear some more space on my credit card.

And hopefully by then my GF will have paid me back the £800 she owes.

Good times ahead!

:)

[Echinda]

I haven't even started Maraudon yet! I should put in a determined effort to get somewhere with my 48, rather than start little characters everywhere (I have about six chars <20) :rolleyes:

QFT - I've got a 36, a 21, an 18, a 14 ...............

[BakedBeans]

Even though my iMac is never used for gaming anyway...I can still hear my revA iMac G5 sobbing :o

Ahhh, Its not sobbing that much - your set-up is still to die for.

20inch imac+20inch dell+awesome PB

lovin it

[Abulia]

Even though my iMac is never used for gaming anyway...I can still hear my revA iMac G5 sobbing :oYou can hear it over the spinup whine of the fans? ;)

[Hydra]

Not exactly on topic, but whatever... :)

Was playing WoW on a friend's Windows PC today and he gets an effect where sounds echo if you're in a cave. Neither of my Macs do this, and there doesn't seem to be an option for it in the settings. Any idea why he gets this effect and I don't?
Probably some DirectSound effect or EAX, etc... I was wondering if it sounds different in all kinds of places? I noticed the cave sound too when I tried WoW on a Windows machine once.