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So Gaming: 2010 air vs 2011 air
- Thread starter jgunn
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The GPU is a step backwards, but the rest of the computer and the processor is a big leap forward and it makes up for it. In the end the performance in games is definitely faster, though how much will depend on the game.
Under Windows though, it's much harsher on the new Air's because the Nvidia drivers were so good for the 300M.
Under Windows though, it's much harsher on the new Air's because the Nvidia drivers were so good for the 300M.
So basically what we are saying here is if I am playing a game of Batman Arkham Asylum on my max 2010 11" Air and getting 25 FPS, I would probably get around 15-17 fps on a new maxed out 11" Air using intel integrated graphics?
We really need a definitive benchmark between the i5 1.6GHz and the alternative i5/i7 chips.
The difference (1150MHz vs. 1200MHz) on the HD3000 might matter... and no one is benchmarking this!
So frustrating
We really need a definitive benchmark between the i5 1.6GHz and the alternative i5/i7 chips.
The difference (1150MHz vs. 1200MHz) on the HD3000 might matter... and no one is benchmarking this!
So frustrating
In case it helps, Portal (the first one) runs pretty well on high'ish settings at the MBA's native resolution. Same with Half Life 2. No hard numbers, but I don't see any hiccups or slowdowns (meaning its consistently above 30 fps). Both at native resolution, with most settings on high/medium. I would expect other source based games to have similar performance.
Using the 13" ultimate.
The difference in clock between 1150MHz and 1200MHz is only 4.4%. The performance increase can't be greater than that. Probably 5%.
The performance of Macbook Air is way faster than Samsung Series 9. You'd think with a similar CPU, and having a GPU 25% higher clocked on Air would show a similar difference. CPU-wise, the Air is 20-30% faster, and graphics are 50-70% better.
Perhaps Samsung Series 9 was an outlier. I was expecting the results on the Air to be worse when the Series 9 was factored in. I see that Apple decided to wait for the updated 17W chips that feature 1.15-1.2GHz HD 3000 rather than 0.95-1.0GHz in the February chips.
As a result the GPU in the 17W chip for Air is identical to the 35W SV chips.
The performance of Macbook Air is way faster than Samsung Series 9. You'd think with a similar CPU, and having a GPU 25% higher clocked on Air would show a similar difference. CPU-wise, the Air is 20-30% faster, and graphics are 50-70% better.
Perhaps Samsung Series 9 was an outlier. I was expecting the results on the Air to be worse when the Series 9 was factored in. I see that Apple decided to wait for the updated 17W chips that feature 1.15-1.2GHz HD 3000 rather than 0.95-1.0GHz in the February chips.
As a result the GPU in the 17W chip for Air is identical to the 35W SV chips.
We really need a definitive benchmark between the i5 1.6GHz and the alternative i5/i7 chips.
The difference (1150MHz vs. 1200MHz) on the HD3000 might matter... and no one is benchmarking this!
So frustrating
Agreed! I was told by another poster that most likely owners haven't had time to install Windows 7 yet since the Air just came out. I think the consensus is that all OSX versions of the 5 or so most popular games run around the same as last year's model, I.e. LFD, Portal 1/2, HL2, Civ5, SC2 & WoW. I guess if those are the only games you play on the 2011 Air, you should be set.
i know this is of topic! But since the beta is coming out this August. Than the release date will have a similar time-frame as Starcraft 2. Meaning closed beta for a ~month.5 and open for a ~month.5 than phase towards release. 2012 or 2015 release dates would be ridiculous. They have to release Diablo 3 because they know Wow isn't growing and players will soon drop like flies. Diablo 3 will bring those players who leave Wow for reasons of boredom back to Blizzard gaming.
Back on topic.