15" uMBP w/9600 256 vs 512

[MrD1sturbed]

So I am going to be getting a refurb uMBP towards the end of the week and I am trying to decide between the 256mb and the 512mb versions of the 9600M. I will be using it mostly for surfing, blogging, programming, photoshop and gaming. Obviously the gaming is what really poses the question.

I plan to play things like WoW, Aion, L4D2, Borderlands, CoD:MW2, Batman Arkham Asylum, and the like. Obviously this will be done in windows via boot camp.

Is the 512mb absolutely necessary to play these games with decent settings or will I be fine with the 256mb as long as I have the discrete gfx (i.e. I know I wouldn't be able to play most of these on the 13" uMBP which is why I am already in the 15" category).

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jav6454]

256MB is enough for the 9600M GT. Reason is because of the bit width of the link.

 

[Gatteau]

Why not wait for around Jan/Feb next year and see what the "upgrades" has to bring?

 

[vexatia]

256MB is enough for the 9600M GT. Reason is because of the bit width of the link.

Yep, I bootcamp MW2 with all settings on, except antialiasing with no problems, using a 256 discrete 15 uMBP.

 

[dudeitsjay]

really? i have to turn off the shadows, AA and of course vsync to get some decent framerates that'll be smooth throughout the game...

 

[vexatia]

really? i have to turn off the shadows, AA and of course vsync to get some decent framerates that'll be smooth throughout the game...

My VSYNC was off, by default, so I'd agree with the need to turn that off. I leave shadows on.

 

[MrD1sturbed]

So i've decided to get the 256mb version. I've been told that most of the games I want to play are actually playable in OSX instead of having to boot camp into Windows. Does anyone have any info on how this is accomplished?

 

[Hydroxs]

L4D2 and CoDMW2 are for windows only

 

[icedd]

You are better off playing it off bootcamp because theres just a better, more developed gaming community on windows. Unless you are only playing single player, nobody ever plays games on OSX. By the way, what is this VSYNC you guys are talking about? I just got Modern Warfare 2 yesterday and I am looking to find a way to play it even smoother. I found the option to turn off shadow though.

 

[EndlessMac]

I've been told that most of the games I want to play are actually playable in OSX instead of having to boot camp into Windows. Does anyone have any info on how this is accomplished?

If there is a Mac version then you won't have to boot into Windows. A lot of the popular games have a Mac version.

You are better off playing it off bootcamp because theres just a better, more developed gaming community on windows. Unless you are only playing single player, nobody ever plays games on OSX.

The Mac gaming community isn't going to grow if everyone plays their games in Windows.

 

[5630745]

Why not wait for around Jan/Feb next year and see what the "upgrades" has to bring?

I'd assume he wants it now...