rMBP 15" for gaming only

[Zodiac.mj]

Unfortunately rMBP is not meant for gaming. Don't get me wrong, it's very powerful, has great gfx (overclocked 650M with GDDR5 runs better than most 660M GTX on the market) and I've been playing most of my games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3) max detailed on external 1920x1200, but it will overheat like hell.

That is the main problem with this machine. I also bought it with gaming in mind, but after having it around for 8+ my opinion is clear: if you want a decent gaming hardware, get either Alienware laptop or build your own rig (as I did).

For example, playing WoW for 30+ minutes makes my machine to throttle both CPU (it stays at ~1.4Ghz) and GPU. So paying that much for a hardware running half the speed was bad idea, I will be switching to 13" for mobile usage probably and put some cheap microATX rig at my office / home with GF 660 GTX / i3 jusr for gaming.

 

[bili.d.kid]

Try:
www.xoticpc.com
They have a bunch of different gaming laptops for good prices. I bought mine from there a couple years ago and it was a beast for the money.

interesting choice, wide range alternative can choose there. which laptop you buy? is it worth the latest game till nowadays?

 

[Rodster]

interesting choice, wide range alternative can choose there. which laptop you buy? is it worth the latest game till nowadays?

I would only buy a laptop where you can update the graphics card. The Alienware 17x and 18x allow you to do that. As far as PC's go what matters more these days is a solid GPU. The CPU is no longer as important as it used to be. A good GPU will offload the CPU and can handle a good portion of what the game needs to do.

I'm not say CPU's aren't important but if you had to upgrade between the two choices, typically you'll get a better gain from a GPU upgrade.

and if I had to choose between the 17x and 18x i'd go with the 18x because it's an aluminum case whereas the 17x is plastic. My friends son bought an 18x and it performs as good as it looks.

 

[ScholarsInk]

Man, with the same price you get the high-end i7 with 16GB of RAM and GTX 680 Nvidia Graphics best Windows desktop machine to run Battlefield 3 at the ultra highest details in FULL HD.

Don't buy a Retina to play. It will be good, but no the best.

Can we please have a moratorium (at least) on the cringey 'full HD' term on MacRumors? We of all people, with awareness of 2880x1800, 2560x1600/1440, 2048 x 1536 displays, should not be contributing to the 1080p-as-maximum-possible marketing game that lets manufacturers get away with skimping on resolution.

Unfortunately rMBP is not meant for gaming. Don't get me wrong, it's very powerful, has great gfx (overclocked 650M with GDDR5 runs better than most 660M GTX on the market) and I've been playing most of my games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3) max detailed on external 1920x1200, but it will overheat like hell.

That is the main problem with this machine. I also bought it with gaming in mind, but after having it around for 8+ my opinion is clear: if you want a decent gaming hardware, get either Alienware laptop or build your own rig (as I did).

For example, playing WoW for 30+ minutes makes my machine to throttle both CPU (it stays at ~1.4Ghz) and GPU. So paying that much for a hardware running half the speed was bad idea, I will be switching to 13" for mobile usage probably and put some cheap microATX rig at my office / home with GF 660 GTX / i3 jusr for gaming.

This doesn't happen to me at all... and I have the 2.3 Ghz model. (I don't play WoW, but I play several more CPU and GPU intensive games.) I even play a fair few games at 2880x1800.

I think you need to take your machine into a service center.

 

[bili.d.kid]

Unfortunately rMBP is not meant for gaming. Don't get me wrong, it's very powerful, has great gfx (overclocked 650M with GDDR5 runs better than most 660M GTX on the market) and I've been playing most of my games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3) max detailed on external 1920x1200, but it will overheat like hell.

That is the main problem with this machine. I also bought it with gaming in mind, but after having it around for 8+ my opinion is clear: if you want a decent gaming hardware, get either Alienware laptop or build your own rig (as I did).

For example, playing WoW for 30+ minutes makes my machine to throttle both CPU (it stays at ~1.4Ghz) and GPU. So paying that much for a hardware running half the speed was bad idea, I will be switching to 13" for mobile usage probably and put some cheap microATX rig at my office / home with GF 660 GTX / i3 jusr for gaming.

why not try using cooling pad under your rmbp? does your games (which gain that overheat) running on osx natively or bootcamp?

 

[hackerwayne]

Unfortunately rMBP is not meant for gaming. Don't get me wrong, it's very powerful, has great gfx (overclocked 650M with GDDR5 runs better than most 660M GTX on the market) and I've been playing most of my games (WoW, SC2, Diablo 3) max detailed on external 1920x1200, but it will overheat like hell.

That is the main problem with this machine. I also bought it with gaming in mind, but after having it around for 8+ my opinion is clear: if you want a decent gaming hardware, get either Alienware laptop or build your own rig (as I did).

For example, playing WoW for 30+ minutes makes my machine to throttle both CPU (it stays at ~1.4Ghz) and GPU. So paying that much for a hardware running half the speed was bad idea, I will be switching to 13" for mobile usage probably and put some cheap microATX rig at my office / home with GF 660 GTX / i3 jusr for gaming.

That didnt happen on mine. It only happens if i play games like BF3 and Crysis.

 

[bili.d.kid]

I would only buy a laptop where you can update the graphics card. The Alienware 17x and 18x allow you to do that. As far as PC's go what matters more these days is a solid GPU. The CPU is no longer as important as it used to be. A good GPU will offload the CPU and can handle a good portion of what the game needs to do.

I'm not say CPU's aren't important but if you had to upgrade between the two choices, typically you'll get a better gain from a GPU upgrade.

and if I had to choose between the 17x and 18x i'd go with the 18x because it's an aluminum case whereas the 17x is plastic. My friends son bought an 18x and it performs as good as it looks.

can the 14x do the graphics card update? this is the budget alienware actually.

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That didnt happen on mine. It only happens if i play games like BF3 and Crysis.

does it really causing overheat and reduce the cpu speed?

 

[ScholarsInk]

can the 14x do the graphics card update? this is the budget alienware actually.

Getting a desktop I can understand the increased value from, but an Alienware laptop not quite so much. For maximum value for money, make/buy a desktop.

If you really want the thing to be portable, for the money you'd get from selling your old MacBook and the money you'd spend on an Alienware, you can probable get an rMBP.

 

[tmagman]

don't go with an alienware. Ever since Dell bought them out they've been incredibly over priced for what they offer. If you're gonna look at a gaming machine consider the Asus G series. Best bang for your buck and available with almost anything you want in it.

 

[swerve147]

For example, playing WoW for 30+ minutes makes my machine to throttle both CPU (it stays at ~1.4Ghz) and GPU. So paying that much for a hardware running half the speed was bad idea, I will be switching to 13" for mobile usage probably and put some cheap microATX rig at my office / home with GF 660 GTX / i3 jusr for gaming.

You can completely avoid all throttling in Windows 7 Boot Camp by simply setting maximum processor state and you will not overheat in any circumstance. Saying the hardware would be running at half-speed is a gross exaggeration.

 

[ScholarsInk]

You can completely avoid all throttling in Windows 7 Boot Camp by simply setting maximum processor state and you will not overheat in any circumstance. Saying the hardware would be running at half-speed is a gross exaggeration.

If anything, doesn't Windows mistakenly push it to Turbo Boost too much before you go in and change the maximum processor state?

 

[Rodster]

don't go with an alienware. Ever since Dell bought them out they've been incredibly over priced for what they offer. If you're gonna look at a gaming machine consider the Asus G series. Best bang for your buck and available with almost anything you want in it.

Alienware is still a good brand with a good rep.

Can you upgrade the GPU on the ASUS? If not the Alienware is the better choice because you can upgrade the laptop rather than throwing it away and buying a completely new laptop.

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can the 14x do the graphics card update? this is the budget alienware actually.

No, you can only replace a MXM package style graphics card. The 17x and 18x use that style of GPU.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

OP, I'm in the same boat as you (not financially, but decision wise) and I have no idea what to do. I want a mac because of work, and having a native terminal plus build quality and memory management for VM's means I want OS X. But I want to game, too, and I want it in a single device.

The 13" laptops that Apple makes are anemic at best, and the 15" are ridiculously expensive. I've been toying with getting a 15" cMBP with the high-res anti-glare screen, as that seems like the sweet spot. It's roughly $2100 for the one with a higher end GPU, and you can upgrade the RAM + HDD as you wish.

Of course, come the Haswell refresh, Apple may drop the classic MBP completely, making my decision for me...

 

[ScholarsInk]

Alienware is still a good brand with a good rep.

Can you upgrade the GPU on the ASUS? If not the Alienware is the better choice because you can upgrade the laptop rather than throwing it away and buying a completely new laptop.

From what I've heard, options are pretty limited as the GPU upgrades go, however.

 

[hackerwayne]

can the 14x do the graphics card update? this is the budget alienware actually.

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does it really causing overheat and reduce the cpu speed?

Sorry, didnt saw the reduce CPU speed part. Mine only spun up the fan, speed didnt decrease

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OP, I'm in the same boat as you (not financially, but decision wise) and I have no idea what to do. I want a mac because of work, and having a native terminal plus build quality and memory management for VM's means I want OS X. But I want to game, too, and I want it in a single device.

The 13" laptops that Apple makes are anemic at best, and the 15" are ridiculously expensive. I've been toying with getting a 15" cMBP with the high-res anti-glare screen, as that seems like the sweet spot. It's roughly $2100 for the one with a higher end GPU, and you can upgrade the RAM + HDD as you wish.

Of course, come the Haswell refresh, Apple may drop the classic MBP completely, making my decision for me...

You should wait till Apple releases 13" haswell based rMBP with quad core CPU. thats just pure awesomeness XD

 

[Zodiac.mj]

This doesn't happen to me at all... and I have the 2.3 Ghz model. (I don't play WoW, but I play several more CPU and GPU intensive games.) I even play a fair few games at 2880x1800.

I think you need to take your machine into a service center.

Well, that's the funny thing about latest rMBP - entry level models are not overheating that much. Check out the thread about full load temperatures on this forum if you don't believe me.

That didnt happen on mine. It only happens if i play games like BF3 and Crysis.

Try maxing out shadows @ultra and spending some time in MoP zones, expecially those with lots of trees.

You can completely avoid all throttling in Windows 7 Boot Camp by simply setting maximum processor state and you will not overheat in any circumstance. Saying the hardware would be running at half-speed is a gross exaggeration.

Well I had high-performance profile on with all maxed out and it looks like its not OS fault, just internal safeguards preventing CPU/GPU from dying too early.

 

[Rodster]

From what I've heard, options are pretty limited as the GPU upgrades go, however.

Not really, the biggest problem is getting the upgrade when they are available on Dell's parts inventory. When they run out then it's Ebay. Alienware is still very good to upgrade the GPU and I believe Sager still uses MXM graphics, although I find Sager pretty bland looking.

 

[Krauser]

I have to agree with that. ESPECIALLY considering you are on a budget.

I have a very strong preference toward Macs but if I were ONLY going to use it for gaming then Windows would be the better option. Better prices, better peripherals, more game selection and more discounts on games.

Not to mention DX support in Windows. Gaming in OS X is an afterthought when you buy a Mac simply because of the reliance on OpenGL. The same exact games run faster and more efficiently in a Windows environment than they will on a Mac. Buying a Mac just for gaming is ridiculous.

 

[Applefanboy8153]

can the 14x do the graphics card update? this is the budget alienware actually.

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does it really causing overheat and reduce the cpu speed?

You cant upgrade it after purchase as it is soldered to the motherboard. You can upgrade it online at the alienware store.

 

[Freyqq]

Be sure to look at the lbs of the laptop you buy. Alienwares tend to be a bit better at gaming, but also weigh about 2x a rmbp.

Honestly, an rmbp is a fine computer for gaming, considering the tradeoffs. Be sure to install windows in bootcamp, though, so you can actually play most games.

 

[Acronyc]

Personally I wouldn't recommend Alienware. I had an M11x R2 a few years ago and it was a terrible machine. It had to be serviced multiple times and I went through two replacements before I sold it and moved over to a 2010 MacBook Air (my first Mac). Thinking of Alienware brings to mind broken hinges, cracked screens, and warped keyboards. Plus incompetent technicians that brought wrong part numbers, a defective replacement screen, and even broke other parts of the computer while they completed the "repair". I'm not sure how the newer models are and maybe they have improved, but personally I would be careful when considering Alienware.

 

[johnnnw]

There are many gaming systems out there that are better and cheaper than the rMBP.

A few months ago, I picked up an Asus gaming laptop for about $1200 and it had the same specs as high end MacBook Pro. Spent another $400 on 2x SSDs and 16GB of RAM, now this gaming laptop is a monster compared to the MacBook Pro. Sure it's 3-inches thick and weighs 10 lbs, but it's still portable and it never gets hot (nor do the fans spin up like crazy).

Do this. It's absolutely crazy to get a rMBP JUST for gaming. There are so many better choices out there. Much better GPU etc with other brands for less money.

 

[Rodster]

Personally I wouldn't recommend Alienware. I had an M11x R2 a few years ago and it was a terrible machine. It had to be serviced multiple times and I went through two replacements before I sold it and moved over to a 2010 MacBook Air (my first Mac). Thinking of Alienware brings to mind broken hinges, cracked screens, and warped keyboards. Plus incompetent technicians that brought wrong part numbers, a defective replacement screen, and even broke other parts of the computer while they completed the "repair". I'm not sure how the newer models are and maybe they have improved, but personally I would be careful when considering Alienware.

Seriously, you could insert any name brand in here as well. There is NO company including Apple that makes a device that is 100% fail proof. If you were to visit any tech forum and visited the brand forum you would have NO shortage of pissed off customers with problems. That goes for Dell, Apple, HP, Toshiba, Sony etc.

Again for the most part Alienware is a damn good choice for gaming and I stand by my recommendation for either a M17x or my preferred choice of the M18x for performance, aluminum casing and cooling capabilities.

 

[bili.d.kid]

Seriously, you could insert any name brand in here as well. There is NO company including Apple that makes a device that is 100% fail proof. If you were to visit any tech forum and visited the brand forum you would have NO shortage of pissed off customers with problems. That goes for Dell, Apple, HP, Toshiba, Sony etc.

Again for the most part Alienware is a damn good choice for gaming and I stand by my recommendation for either a M17x or my preferred choice of the M18x for performance, aluminum casing and cooling capabilities.

i definitely keep on mac os for every activity beside gaming. so if choose this option, i have to keep my mbp and buy another laptop alienware (m17 or 18) that both are passing $2300. i have to think again to spend that much for gaming. still in the dream of owning just 1 device that allow me to stay on mac os, and play every game i want even the latest with highest system requirement in the fair and playable FPS.

 

[Acronyc]

Seriously, you could insert any name brand in here as well. There is NO company including Apple that makes a device that is 100% fail proof. If you were to visit any tech forum and visited the brand forum you would have NO shortage of pissed off customers with problems. That goes for Dell, Apple, HP, Toshiba, Sony etc.

Again for the most part Alienware is a damn good choice for gaming and I stand by my recommendation for either a M17x or my preferred choice of the M18x for performance, aluminum casing and cooling capabilities.

I don't believe I stated that Apple or other companies have perfect products with no issues. I completely agree with you and would imagine that most, if not all, major brands have issues with certain products that cause problems for customers.

I was just relaying my personal experience about Alienware. The M11x R2 was by far the worst computer I ever owned in terms of build quality. The service Dell provided was equally bad. Actually, that was almost more frustrating than the original problems. It seems that you had a good experience with Alienware and can recommend their products, and that's great. My experience was quite the opposite and I stand by my personal non-recommendation of Alienware.