Is getting an iMac to play CloD a stupid idea?

[Vengeanze]

First, money is no object (almost). All I care about is aesthetic, framerate, clean desktop and a happy wife.
Currenctly got an 2009 iMac which my wife loves. Building a PC, keep the current iMac and crowd the desktop with an extra monitor solely to fly CloD is an option but the wife will be pissed.

So looked at selling the iMac for $1000/€665, take the money for a presumable PC apx. $1200/€835, add another $830/€577 and buy me the new 27'' iMac with the following specs:

3,1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB GDDR5

What's your take? Will I be able to run CloD at all MAX and still get >30 fps over London with a shitload of other planes in there?

Thing is I know that resolution has a great impact on frames and the iMac comes with a native 2560x1440.

A 27'' iMac is pure porno when it comes to looks. Especially if I mount it to the wall.

[TonyD]

...
Will I be able to run CloD at all MAX ...

I don't think anything is capable of that at the moment :grin: But from the specs, it should handle it very well.

[Georgio41]

I bought a new i7 iMac last week when they first came out and it runs CoD pretty well in bootcamp using Win7 64bit.

Obviously the GPU is the mobility 6970M with 1GB of memory but I am running at 2560x1440 and it looks amazing with little stuttering.
I'm a designer by trade so Mac is my main choice and it's nice to have a machine that works well with two OS's.

When external thunderbolt SSD's become available, I'll probably move the OS there and keep the HD purely for storage as that is currently the only slow element to the machine.

[Winger]

First, money is no object (almost). All I care about is aesthetic, framerate, clean desktop and a happy wife.
Currenctly got an 2009 iMac which my wife loves. Building a PC, keep the current iMac and crowd the desktop with an extra monitor solely to fly CloD is an option but the wife will be pissed.

So looked at selling the iMac for $1000/€665, take the money for a presumable PC apx. $1200/€835, add another $830/€577 and buy me the new 27'' iMac with the following specs:

3,1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB GDDR5

What's your take? Will I be able to run CloD at all MAX and still get >30 fps over London with a shitload of other planes in there?

Thing is I know that resolution has a great impact on frames and the iMac comes with a native 2560x1440.

A 27'' iMac is pure porno when it comes to looks. Especially if I mount it to the wall.

Using a MAC to play games is a mistake by itself. Just use the systems for what they are supposed to... MAC for becoming ripped off and think youree stylish and PCs for actually perform.

Winger

[Vengeanze]

Using a MAC to play games is a mistake by itself. Just use the systems for what they are supposed to... MAC for becoming ripped off and think youree stylish and PCs for actually perform.

Winger

@Georgio41: you've got PM

@Winger:
I work with computers (PC). Have built PC's all my life. Got me an iMac three years ago.
Let me tell you, iMacs are stationary computer porn. It's actually a computer that looks good.
With the latest iMac I get hardware to run EVERY game out there on high or even ultra!
Sure, it costs but like I said, money is not an issue here...anymore.

http://osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/imac-wall-mount.jpg

[=XIII=nic0]

any wrapped version for mac yet? i know you can use bootcamp.. but it could be so awesome if everything was running under osx.

freetracker
joystick
CloD
;)

i agree.. the design is über and not so noisy as a home built computer ;)

[Qpassa]

I think so lol

[Vengeanze]

any wrapped version for mac yet? i know you can use bootcamp.. but it could be so awesome if everything was running under osx.

freetracker
joystick
CloD
;)

i agree.. the design is über and not so noisy as a home built computer ;)

If with wrapped you mean CloD ported to os x then forget it. Will never happen. Bootcamp is the only way.
But is same thing as running Windows on a PC with same specs so everything works as normal.
Looking for a MSFFB2 and gonna build me a TrackClip. That'll keep me occupied while waiting for delivery.
I wonder if I can use the facetime camera as a tracking camera!?

[Georgio41]

Just did a quick london intercept with everything on medium settings, rez at 1920x1080 and the framerate over London was
40+ and very playable.
Obviously with a 2GB card this should be even better.
Tried at 2550x1440 and the framerate was 25+ but not so smooth.

[Vengeanze]

Thanks Gergio!

[Georgio41]

Off topic a bit but RoF looks absolutely incredible on an i7 Mac which has obviously taken a year from release so I would imagine that CoD will be as good, if not better a year from now once it's been optimized.

[Vengeanze]

Off topic a bit but RoF looks absolutely incredible on an i7 Mac which has obviously taken a year from release so I would imagine that CoD will be as good, if not better a year from now once it's been optimized.

Was there the same issue with performance in RoF, meaning that peeps had problems running the game even with specified system requirements?

[jt_medina]

I few years ago I almost bought a IMac, like many I liked its OS. But once I compared the hardware vs price, I see it a huge waste of money. For $1400 I can build or even buy something twice as powerful as the IMac setup.

If it cost as much as PC I'd certainly give it a try in fact I'd love to have the OS which is really nice but with those prices and that hardware those days it's far much cheaper on PC and last the same.

Still many people say that macs are meant to last, well I still have an "old" P4 3.2 up and running no problems ever.

I guess money can buy anything and when money is not the big problem...

[Vengeanze]

You drive a Hummer H3, lots of power, I drive a Maserati Quatroporte.
We both get from A to B. Just a question of preference.
Maybe not the best analogy but hope you get my point.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200807/hummer-h3-sensation_460x0w.jpg

http://www.feelride.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/maseratiqpcenturian-1.jpg

[jt_medina]

You drive a Hummer H3, lots of power, I drive a Maserati Quatroporte.
We both get from A to B. Just a question of preference.
Maybe not the best analogy but hope you get my point.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200807/hummer-h3-sensation_460x0w.jpg

http://www.feelride.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/maseratiqpcenturian-1.jpg

Not samething. Imac are not ferraries, that's what the advertising wants the crowd to think.

They are built with PC components with a way higher price and have less hardware per dollar.

I can tell you you'd be surprised that most of the IMac hardware would cost half the price on the PC with exactly the same quality. Yes, same quality. Because apple doesn't design the graphics card or the CPU, memory, PSU in fact apple doesn't even assemble it.

MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS, thermaltake, cooler master etc... that's what matters when you buy a machine.

I have been around computing since I was a kind and built myself almost every computer until bad times came to my life. I guess I can't fight the fact that most of the people can't/don't care to open up a computer case and really think what's really inside it.

[Vengeanze]

Not samething. Imac are not ferraries, that's what the advertising wants the crowd to think.

They are built with PC components with a way higher price and have less hardware per dollar.

I can tell you you'd be surprised that most of the IMac hardware would cost half the price on the PC with exactly the same quality. Yes, same quality. Because apple doesn't design the graphics card or the CPU, memory, PSU in fact apple doesn't even assemble it.

MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS, thermaltake, cooler master etc... that's what matters when you buy a machine.

I have been around computing since I was a kind and built myself almost every computer until bad times came to my life. I guess I can't fight the fact that most of the people can't/don't care to open up a computer case and really think what's really inside it.

I'm fully aware that the hw in a mac is regular stuff that one can get much cheaper elsewhere.
Like you I've built computers most of my life but when I passed 40 my priorities changed. These days I'm going for simplicity and carefreeness.

I don't change oil on my car anymore even though I know perfectly how to. I drive it to a mechanic and let him do what he does best so I can do what I do best. I'll gladly pay the extra buck it'll cost me.

I have an insurance that if I get a flat tire I can call someone and within minutes this dude comes and change my tire. I'll gladly pay the extra buck it'll cost me.

I don't care reading in on the latest techniques, surfing trillions of PC retailers websites, arguing at Overclockers on how to cool my system, installing proggies so I can squeeze a couple of extra frames out of my g-card, figure out what PSU will drive my stuff, etc etc.
I'm content with going to ONE website and picking out a beautiful computer that fits my need. A week later it is delivered to my door. I plug in one cord and hit On.

[Georgio41]

What people fail to realise about Macs is yes internally they are the same as PC's, but there the similarity ends.
The Mac OS was always more robust than windows, until Win7 came along with their aqua interface, which incidentally the original OSX brought in about 10 years ago.
What is neat with a Mac is that the whole package is seamlessly integrated so open any of the bundled apps, like iDVD for instance and you can use any media on your machine for a pain-free experience.
At the end of the day it's a Ford/Chrysler thing so you go with what suits you best.
I also have built computers; the earliest being a scratch built Apple IIe back in the late 70's, but these days I just prefer the simplicity of using a silent, powerful machine/OS that gives me no grief and fits in with my lifestyle.

[Georgio41]

Yup, I tried RoF on release as I had always loved the era; I originally bought a PC back in 1989 purely to play the original Red Baron from Dynamix.
It was a train crash on my machine at the time which was a duo-core Mac so I dropped it and went back to IL-2.
Roll on a year and we have the refined, polished masterpiece that RoF is now, that is looking to get even better with the forthcoming career mode.
I can't believe how much difference a year makes, flying over towns they look 'right' and logical.
I think if I'd seen into the future from 1989 with it's flat vector planes and landscape to RoF I would have been astounded with the progress in 20 years.

Was there the same issue with performance in RoF, meaning that peeps had problems running the game even with specified system requirements?

[Nightmender]

If your willing to shell out a lot of money, I'd recommend the Mac Pro ($2500). You can have up to 12 cores of power and comes standard with a 5x's faster graphics card. And if that's not enough, it's completly user friendly so you can upgrade it even more from there. You can install up to 512GB solid state drivers for ridiculous performance. It's industry standard, so I can guarantee that Clod will look AMAZING on it. It's a lot of money, but in the long run it will be worth it I think. I'm probably going to go this route too after I've saved up, and then run bootcamp with it. Good luck man, hope this helps:)

[Vengeanze]

If your willing to shell out a lot of money, I'd recommend the Mac Pro ($2500). You can have up to 12 cores of power and comes standard with a 5x's faster graphics card. And if that's not enough, it's completly user friendly so you can upgrade it even more from there. You can install up to 512GB solid state drivers for ridiculous performance. It's industry standard, so I can guarantee that Clod will look AMAZING on it. It's a lot of money, but in the long run it will be worth it I think. I'm probably going to go this route too after I've saved up, and then run bootcamp with it. Good luck man, hope this helps:)

I'm a sucker for the iMac looks. Also, gettting a Mac Pro I could get the equivalens PC and mount in a pro chassi.

But now mac users don't have to worry about low end g-cards anymore. We got the thunderbolt.
Check this out:
http://www.sonnettech.com/news/nab2011/

Edit: Apparently PCI Express 2.1 x16 has a throughput at 500 MB/s per lane which means 500x16= 8 GB/s. Would mean that Thunderbolt would be a bottleneck at max 2 GB/s.
Well, tests and reviews will be interesting.

[RE77ACTION]

Too bad this almost ended up in a Mac vs PC flame. There are valid reasons to choose for either of both systems. It completely depends on what type of user you are, your priorities and budget. And most clichés about both systems don't hold up anymore these days.

[335th_GRAthos]

@Georgio41: you've got PM

@Winger:
I work with computers (PC). Have built PC's all my life. Got me an iMac three years ago.
Let me tell you, iMacs are stationary computer porn. It's actually a computer that looks good.
With the latest iMac I get hardware to run EVERY game out there on high or even ultra!
Sure, it costs but like I said, money is not an issue here...anymore.

http://osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/imac-wall-mount.jpg


Aoutch! that hurt! Indeed, it looks nice(r) :(

I do not change it to the endless hours I spend fixing, tuning, working on my hardware but, it looks nice! grrrrr..... :D

[patrat1]

@Georgio41: you've got PM

@Winger:
I work with computers (PC). Have built PC's all my life. Got me an iMac three years ago.
Let me tell you, iMacs are stationary computer porn. It's actually a computer that looks good.
With the latest iMac I get hardware to run EVERY game out there on high or even ultra!
Sure, it costs but like I said, money is not an issue here...anymore.

http://osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/imac-wall-mount.jpg



if moneys not an issue, then you really should get a new desk.

im a pauper and i have a better desk than that. :cool:

[Vengeanze]

if moneys not an issue, then you really should get a new desk.

im a pauper and i have a better desk than that. :cool:

:grin: hehe.

[FlushMeister]

I'm sorry I dont think you'll be able to run CoD on the new iMac, I'm running t on a mac pro hexacore with a 5870 and it won't play it at 2560x1440, I use medium to high settings at 1600x900 and over london it's OK but wouldnt work at MAX, question is how much better the M6970 is compared to the 5870...

[Vengeanze]

I'm sorry I dont think you'll be able to run CoD on the new iMac, I'm running t on a mac pro hexacore with a 5870 and it won't play it at 2560x1440, I use medium to high settings at 1600x900 and over london it's OK but wouldnt work at MAX, question is how much better the M6970 is compared to the 5870...

Too late. The iMac is in the mail. :-D
I got the AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB VRAM. My hope is in the coming optimization patches. I agree that I probably have to turn down res.

I get conflicting results when surfing for benchmarks.
According to this test (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html)the 6970M can run all existing games on ultra settings with very acceptable avg fps...except Metro2033.
On the other hand when checking this one (http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html)then the card is medium.

Oh well, if I can't run CloD on that iMac then atleast the wife will have a rocketship to surf and check mail on. :-(

But I'm a positive guy!! We'll have the answer in a week.

[jzbdski]

Just be sure and not attempt to run it using windoze xp it dies like a dog. I changed to win 7 x64 and the jump in performance on CoD was ridiculous...

Still a pale imitation of OSX, mind !

[ktodack]

Cool, did you get your IMac new with the AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB GDDR5 already installed? I have an IMac I7 with the Radion HD 5750 (1GB) and I don't recall having an option for the 6970. I'm still waiting until June for COD from Amazon. Can't wait to fly Spitfires looking at my 27" IMac screen.

[Vengeanze]

@jzbdski: Thanks. Was planning on W7.


Cool, did you get your IMac new with the AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB GDDR5 already installed? I have an IMac I7 with the Radion HD 5750 (1GB) and I don't recall having an option for the 6970. I'm still waiting until June for COD from Amazon. Can't wait to fly Spitfires looking at my 27" IMac screen.
Yeah, the 6970M 2GB was an option but only when ordering from apple's website ("Configurable to AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB GDDR5, only at the Apple Online Store."). This is for the new mid 2011 iMac's.

Status is "Delivery 24th of Maj" but I know that they most often deliver much faster so hoping for next week.

[FlushMeister]

Don't you worry, it's still a powerful system and you'll be able to run it at high settings, maybe the 2GB RAM in your card allows for 2560x1440 but my mac pro hexacore runs best at 1600x900 or close to that anyway.

Congratulations on your new mac! hope it'll arrive quickly!



Too late. The iMac is in the mail. :-D
I got the AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB VRAM. My hope is in the coming optimization patches. I agree that I probably have to turn down res.

I get conflicting results when surfing for benchmarks.
According to this test (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html)the 6970M can run all existing games on ultra settings with very acceptable avg fps...except Metro2033.
On the other hand when checking this one (http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html)then the card is medium.

Oh well, if I can't run CloD on that iMac then atleast the wife will have a rocketship to surf and check mail on. :-(

But I'm a positive guy!! We'll have the answer in a week.

[FlushMeister]

oh and. BAM!

http://johnliberto.com/site/pix/applesetup2011.jpg

[Vengeanze]

Don't you worry, it's still a powerful system and you'll be able to run it at high settings, maybe the 2GB RAM in your card allows for 2560x1440 but my mac pro hexacore runs best at 1600x900 or close to that anyway.

Congratulations on your new mac! hope it'll arrive quickly!
Tack. Låter betryggande!

I like the backlight in your rig. Am planning to get som LEDs from IKEA to get some ambient light.