new Imac / gaming

[bungiefan89]

I have the 27" 2011 iMac with the 3.4 processor and the 2 GB graphics card. I upgraded the processor and the graphics card to "future-proof" the machine so it would still run strong later on in its life.

As far as gaming is concerned, this computer screams with power. I can easily play Crysis Warhead on near-max settings at 1080p resolution with a beautifully consistent framerate.

I can also play Crysis 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Assasin's Creed 2, and Just Cause 2 all at max settings on 720p resolution with a buttery smooth framerate.

Left 4 Dead 2 can also play absolute max settings and resolution while getting between 45 and 60 frames per second.

And I haven't yet tried Starcraft 2 at below-max resolution, but at the highest resolution this lovely 27" screen can output, I get about 50 FPS on High settings.

Simply put, the top-tier iMac is great for gaming. You can play almost anything on it.

 

[turbobass]

Simply put, the top-tier iMac is great for gaming. You can play almost anything on it.

Curious -- do you play in OSX or bootcamp Windows 7?

 

[bungiefan89]

Curious -- do you play in OSX or bootcamp Windows 7?

Both. It depends on the game.

Left 4 Dead 2, Assassin's Creed 2, and StarCraft 2 I play in Mac OSX because they're available in Mac OSX. But other games like Bf:BC2, and the Crysis games, Overlord and Just Cause 2 I can ONLY play in Windows 7, so I use bootcamp for that.

And I didn't have to buy Windows 7 either... I'm using a 30 day free trial of it and using a slightly devious method to extend that trial period out to 120 days. In case you'd like to try this out for yourself, that is...

But one thing I haven't done is test out the same game on each operating system and check to see which performs better. Although from what I've read, it's likely that the games will perform better in Win7.

 

[andydckent]

My 3.4 i7 8gb ram 2gb graphics card is running Assassin's Creed Brotherhood flawlessly at native resolution with all settings max.

This is on OSX Lion with steam version.

 

[Georgio]

Hehe, Ive been building PC's since the late 80's when it was the only option for a gaming PC, but as you get older you are happier to just splash the cash and get a BTO.

I have a Mac for work as I'm a designer and need Illustrator, PS & inDesign, so it's nice that I can boot into Windows and relax with some games there.
If I had a PC purely for gaming it would hardly get used as I'd probably still prefer my iMac as it's convenient.

you could be right there , but as Mac users are only able to change ram according Apple , so the idea of a Mac user to build a whole gaming rig seems a bit ambitious


"Ambition is the last refuge of failure."

 

[Georgio]

From my experience with WoW, you get a lot more fps and eye-candy in Win7 than in OSX; I guess that DirectX is just that much better than the antiquated OpenGL.
In Ogrimmar I average 40-60 fps in OSX and easily double that in the same location with DirectX.

Both. It depends on the game.

Left 4 Dead 2, Assassin's Creed 2, and StarCraft 2 I play in Mac OSX because they're available in Mac OSX. But other games like Bf:BC2, and the Crysis games, Overlord and Just Cause 2 I can ONLY play in Windows 7, so I use bootcamp for that.

And I didn't have to buy Windows 7 either... I'm using a 30 day free trial of it and using a slightly devious method to extend that trial period out to 120 days. In case you'd like to try this out for yourself, that is...

But one thing I haven't done is test out the same game on each operating system and check to see which performs better. Although from what I've read, it's likely that the games will perform better in Win7.

 

[SBruv]

FWIW, I have the same machine but with 1GB VRAM and I'd describe my iMac gaming experience exactly the same as you have yours.

I have the 27" 2011 iMac with the 3.4 processor and the 2 GB graphics card. I upgraded the processor and the graphics card to "future-proof" the machine so it would still run strong later on in its life.

As far as gaming is concerned, this computer screams with power. I can easily play Crysis Warhead on near-max settings at 1080p resolution with a beautifully consistent framerate.

I can also play Crysis 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Assasin's Creed 2, and Just Cause 2 all at max settings on 720p resolution with a buttery smooth framerate.

Left 4 Dead 2 can also play absolute max settings and resolution while getting between 45 and 60 frames per second.

And I haven't yet tried Starcraft 2 at below-max resolution, but at the highest resolution this lovely 27" screen can output, I get about 50 FPS on High settings.

Simply put, the top-tier iMac is great for gaming. You can play almost anything on it.

 

[JordanNZ]

From my experience with WoW, you get a lot more fps and eye-candy in Win7 than in OSX; I guess that DirectX is just that much better than the antiquated OpenGL.
In Ogrimmar I average 40-60 fps in OSX and easily double that in the same location with DirectX.

Things have changed since Lion came out... I've deleted my Windows7 partition now. Only had it to play WoW.