[Big Slick]

I'm playing the mac version of Prey on my 2.8 aluminum iMac. Game play and graphics are ultra smooth with only a tiny glitch during the cinimatics. My question: Am I near my "top end" regarding gaming on my mac? Does this game put a fairly high demand on the ATI 2600 hd pro card? Want to explore my (gaming) options and would some insight using this game as a reference.

Please help me out!

[StrengthDesign]

No. The previous gen iMac was faster than yours. It has a better videocard.

[Big Slick]

<sigh> I know that the previous gen iMac is faster/better in regards to the graphics card, but what I am asking is regarding the new iMacs only. Is Prey the most graphically intense game my Imac can handle, or can I go for something more. I tried Rise of Nations and it wouldn't work at all. Suggestions please??


BTW, my system: aluminum 24" 2.8ghz, 2GB ram, 500Gig HD, (crappy, yes) ATI 2600 PRO HD graphics card

[mduell]

Anything less than 30fps isn't really playable, so yes Prey is the most graphically demanding game that mobile HD2600 Pro can handle.

[StrengthDesign]

Ouch. That must burn.

[PaperNotes]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Anything less than 30fps isn't really playable

That's not true at all for single player games. I have seen games run at very high settings at 15FPS. Without FRAPS running I would have thought they were running at twice the speed. High or very high frame rates over 30FPS are only essential for online multiplayer. Over 60FPS is overkill and really just a test of silicon power. If A game ran at 60FPS in single player mode I would increase the detail to bring the frame rate down to a more realistic speed so I could be in for a high quality visuals treat.

[StrengthDesign]

Uh... yes it is. Try playing Quake 3 at around 15fps, then play the part where you're moving on that tram thing. You'd probably get like 5. This is where gaming noobs just don't understand. It isn't about maintaining 60fps at all times, it's so that if you're normally getting 60fps, when a bunch of stuff happens, it only drops down to 30 fps, or maybe even 20. If you're playing at 15-20fps, and a bunch of action happens, it's going to quickly become unplayable.

[PaperNotes]

Originally Posted by StrengthDesign 

Uh... yes it is. Try playing Quake 3 at around 15fps, then play the part where you're moving on that tram thing. You'd probably get like 5.

Your reasoning is unreasonable. If it dropped down to 15FPS during the "tram thing" and 30FPS elsewhere you would be making a reasonable example. Coming up with 5FPS and trying to make it look like I think that is acceptable is just plain stupid. Then calling me a gaming noob. Nice touch. Why o' why is it so hard for people to be sensibly moderate.

[CheesePuff]

How much RAM you got though? The stock 1 GB? You can get 4 GB shipped for $120 now.

[Big Slick]

I got 2GB of Ram. I might plan on getting some more soon since our Cdn$ is hovering around 1.07 to the USD. While its not a FPS, Civ 3 seems to work great as well (no graphics options, though).

Is the frame rate the only major thing that limits a graphics card capability (gaming only)?

[StrengthDesign]

Originally Posted by PaperNotes 

Your reasoning is unreasonable. If it dropped down to 15FPS during the "tram thing" and 30FPS elsewhere you would be making a reasonable example. Coming up with 5FPS and trying to make it look like I think that is acceptable is just plain stupid. Then calling me a gaming noob. Nice touch. Why o' why is it so hard for people to be sensibly moderate.

No it's not. I played Q4 on an older system, and while I was getting about 35-45fps in most cases, the tram scene thing dropped it down to 9-12fps. If you were only getting 30, I'm sure it would be much, much lower.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by StrengthDesign 

No. The previous gen iMac was faster than yours. It has a better videocard.

Quit

Originally Posted by StrengthDesign 

Ouch. That must burn.

Being

Originally Posted by StrengthDesign 

Uh... yes it is. Try playing Quake 3 at around 15fps, then play the part where you're moving on that tram thing. You'd probably get like 5. This is where gaming noobs just don't understand. It isn't about maintaining 60fps at all times, it's so that if you're normally getting 60fps, when a bunch of stuff happens, it only drops down to 30 fps, or maybe even 20. If you're playing at 15-20fps, and a bunch of action happens, it's going to quickly become unplayable.

A

Originally Posted by StrengthDesign 

No it's not. I played Q4 on an older system, and while I was getting about 35-45fps in most cases, the tram scene thing dropped it down to 9-12fps. If you were only getting 30, I'm sure it would be much, much lower.

Jerk.

[StrengthDesign]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Quit

1. It's a fact. I said nothing to incite anything. Purely stating technical data that has been proven many times.

Being

2. I would feel burned if I bought a new iMac and the old one was getting almost double the framerates. This is my opinion. I am entitled to it.

A

Again. Factual information concerning 'getting over 30 fps, so under heavy action it's still playable'. I was explaining this concept, without calling names, without insulting people, and without being a jerk. I was merely explaining WHY people desire more than 30FPS in a game. My opinion is held by thousands of other gamers who feel exactly the same way.

Jerk.

Ditto.

Honestly I think you're being a huge jerk for trying to make something out of nothing here. I was not picking fights, I was providing helpful information, I was providing examples, and you have to go and act like I'm harassing people. This is you:



PS: Reported.

[Peter]

StrengthDesign = Cash?
StrengthDesign:
Quit
the
Video
Card
Trolling.
Right now.