Big Windows Gaming/Editing Rig to Mac Studio - Some Specific Questions

[JS75]

I have been researching, I am a big fan of Mac and have used a Macbook Pro M2 Pro for on the go things for a few years now but as a semi-professional photographer and videographer I have used my large desktop editing/gaming PC for the vast majority of my editing needs. I use Lightroom and Davinci mostly, I have dabbled in Final Cut but of course that is not on Windows.

It has been a powerful custom computer, 3080 + 12700K first and then upgraded to 9800X3D and 5090. I am strongly considering selling the 5090 and going back to a less powerful GPU just to use for gaming and moving my editing/general workflow to an M3 Ultra Mac Studio. I so prefer MacOS and other ecosystem features that its made me consider this change from Windows. Despite my slight annoyances I wish I could access these features elsewhere and it was more open - every time I use my laptop I am reminded of how much more I like MacOS.

So there's my basic question, has anyone around here made this move? Benchmarks and information tell me I can see equal or better performance but I am trying to get some personal experience.

Big gaming/editing PC (9800X3D + 3090/4090/5090) to a Mac Studio? Cheers.

 

[PatrickCocoa]

I have a similar situation. My solution:

1. PC for gaming only.
2. iMac for all other work.

I'm typing this on my iMac, and use my iMac for all none-gaming needs. Including web browsing, iPhone programming using Xcode, iMovie for personal movies or shorts uploaded to YouTube, Keynote for the old days when I made presentations to our local programming meetup, Pages, and Books.

The PC I use exclusively for gaming. Therefore I don't need to get into Windows very much - turn on the PC, log in, Steam autostarts, and all of my interactions with the PC are via Steam's interface. Steam has its own file system and window manager, so there's no need to pop out to Windows and do much at all.

Physically I have an L-shaped desk, the iMac is on one desk surface, the PC is on the other. After I finish this post, I will swivel my chair 90°, fire up the PC and play one of my Steam games (today, probably Crime Scene Cleaner).

I've had this basic setup for about ten years and have been very satisfied.

 

[JS75]

I have a similar situation. My solution:

1. PC for gaming only.
2. iMac for all other work.

I'm typing this on my iMac, and use my iMac for all none-gaming needs. Including web browsing, iPhone programming using Xcode, iMovie for personal movies or shorts uploaded to YouTube, Keynote for the old days when I made presentations to our local programming meetup, Pages, and Books.

The PC I use exclusively for gaming. Therefore I don't need to get into Windows very much - turn on the PC, log in, Steam autostarts, and all of my interactions with the PC are via Steam's interface. Steam has its own file system and window manager, so there's no need to pop out to Windows and do much at all.

Physically I have an L-shaped desk, the iMac is on one desk surface, the PC is on the other. After I finish this post, I will swivel my chair 90°, fire up the PC and play one of my Steam games (today, probably Crime Scene Cleaner).

I've had this basic setup for about ten years and have been very satisfied.

Hey thanks man, I thought i'd get a few other replies but thats ok. I think it is pretty well decided here I just cant decide on what Mac Studio I want. I think the m3 ultra 60 core GPU is what im going for. I dont think I need the step up.

Your setup makes perfect sense, just the PC for games, I love building PCs but since i got into it it has just been crisis after crisis - Crypto when i started and couldnt get GPUs, then GPUs came back in stock but lots and lots controversy about the 50 series from Nvidia and all of the AI problems and now we all know about this insane RAM crisis. Feels like Apple is at least a little insulated from that for the stuff I do for real work.

Cheers!

 

[maflynn]

I’d recommend waiting for the M5 ultra studio. Due out later this spring.

I have the M4 max studio and it handles most of my games decently when playing under Crossover (Wine) and very nicely when it’s a native game. Not 5090 nice but decent enough. The M5 is supposed to have much better gpu performance

 

[JS75]

I’d recommend waiting for the M5 ultra studio. Due out later this spring.

I have the M4 max studio and it handles most of my games decently when playing under Crossover (Wine) and very nicely when it’s a native game. Not 5090 nice but decent enough. The M5 is supposed to have much better gpu performance

I thought that was announced soon but not coming out until late 2026? September or after?

 

[maflynn]

I thought that was announced soon but not coming out until late 2026? September or after?

Rumors seem to indicate a release shortly after the M5 MBPs

 

[JS75]

Rumors seem to indicate a release shortly after the M5 MBPs

I can't even remember is that usually as they announce or a delay like the iPhone?

Maybe I'll wait then, I am at least pretty sold on a mac studio at least.