[gangster]

i have all but abandoned windows. i played with an old motorola starmax 4000 with the (incredibly fast and awesome) 604e and liked it but its gone now and way too slow.

the question: i dont do the stuff macs do best, i just want a mac but want some power for gaming,etc. i dont think dual procs will benefit me...or will they? the imac has little expandability so i am thinking the single proc pm is the way to go. id delete the modem, dvd writer and plan on adding a 9800pro 256, better dvd, etc. what do you all think?

thanks in advance.

EDIT: and why is the entry level pm only a 1.8 cpu with a 600mhz bus when it could be a 2.0 with a 1mhz bus? is this crap marketing or something else?!

[gururafiki]

If you well us exactly what you will be doing on it, besides gaming, people could help you better. If you like OSX, and plan on using it a lot, then dual processors may benefit you. Otherwise, go for the system you mentioned, and don't forget to add RAM.

[powertrippin]

If you want to game, get a windows PC. Sad, but true. Macs have **** videocards, and expensive ones at that, and they don't get nearly the performance of a $600 PC.

[gangster]

there is a $50 rebate on the mac version ati 9800pro 128mb card now...

[Lateralus]

When you buy Motion.

[Cadaver]

Depends on how serious you are about gaming. I mean, if its by far your main thing, then getting a Mac for gaming might lead to some disappointment (though a Mac + a console is a fine combo) given the relative number of game titles on the PC vs. the Mac.

With that said, I'm a casual gamer and I find it quite satisfying on my Mac. Games like UT2K4, CoD and Allied Assault play like a dream (though admittedly I have a very high-dollar system). My main computer usage, BTW, is word processing, PowerPoint/Keynote and medical imaging/graphics.

But, I'll also admit I've got a PC (Athlon XP 3200+, Asus A7N8X deluxe, BFG GeForce 6800GT OC, Audigy 2 ZS, 1GB RAM) for games like Far Cry and Half-Life 2. OK, not just for games... I need it for work periodically, too (at least that what I tell my wife). But still...

[gangster]

thanks for the help.

i think i will just get a 1.8 single cpu and delete the dvd and modem. it comes to $1233 with my wifes student discount. i also see there is a $50 rebate on the ati 9800pro 128mb card at this time, this seems like a good choice at $168 extra (after rebate). i still think we should have the option to buy a single 2.0 with 1mhz bus, but........

thanks again.

[Lateralus]

Originally Posted by gangster

i also see there is a $50 rebate on the ati 9800pro 128mb card at this time...

Originally Posted by Lateralus

When you buy Motion.

You have to buy the Radeon and Motion to get the rebate. At least that was the case when I purchased my 9800 a month ago.

[gangster]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

You have to buy the Radeon and Motion to get the rebate. At least that was the case when I purchased my 9800 a month ago.

this is a different deal, there is a $50 rebate, no conditions attached.