Using iMac (mid-2010) as external display for a PC?

[G.O.B]

Hey,

I realise this has been asked a few times already, but people have different iMac models with different ports and so forth, so I was wondering if I could get some specific help from people on here, who clearly know what they're talking about.

Essentially, I have the base 27" iMac, which does everything I need to do in OS X perfectly. However, it's severely limited as a gaming machine, and I'm starting to get into that again so I am willing to spend a bit to get something more powerful. However, it seems like a waste of space and money to get a monitor with the new PC if I can use the iMac as an external display, so my question is, what do I need to make this possible?

I realise that I'll be using the Mini DisplayPort on my iMac, but does the tower I buy need to have a Mini DisplayPort on it too, or can I use a converter? Has anyone had experience of connecting a rig to an iMac and using it in target display mode? Any tips, etc.

Thanks!

 

[englishman]

I have used it as external display for a Mac Pro but not for a PC.

So I used a displayport to dp cable.

You'd need a DVI (PC end from video card) to dp one I guess.

 

[panzer06]

I have the Alienware M17xR3 (it has a built in mdp out) as my gaming system connected to my 27" i7 2010 iMac and it performs wonderfully most of the time. I get the occasional flicker on the iMac screen while playing and haven't been able to confirm whether it's the cheap $11 mini-displayport (mdp) cable or the port on either system. It's awesome playing at full res on the 27"!

Cheers,