Is my hardware good enough?

Bobbleshwartz · Bobbleshwartz #1 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 07:28 PM

I am planning on running bootcamp on my imac so that I can play PC games off of it, but I'm not entirely sure whether it can run them. It's a fairly old computer, and I'm looking to play some pretty modern games. I know that I'll be playing on low graphics settings, but that's fine with me until I can get a newer machine. Here's the specs:

imac 9,1
-intel i5 core 2 duo 2.66 GHz
-8 GB DDR3 RAM
-Nvidia GeForce 9400 graphics card

Some of the games I want to play are:
-Fallout 3/new vegas
-ARMA 2
-Red Orchestra 2
-BF3 (I know its a long shot)
-Payday: The Heist

There are others, but that list gives a fair overview of what I'm interested in. Any info on which, if any, of these games I could play would be helpful. Thanks.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #2 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 07:54 PM

Old? it is a recent model i5 and will run Bootcamp and your games nicely.

Bobbleshwartz · Bobbleshwartz #3 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 08:23 PM

Also, should I bet getting windows 7 32 or 64 bit for this machine? Thanks.

scottmcp432 · scottmcp432 #4 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 10:04 PM

I Played a few games on my MBP with the 9400M and some games ran well but others such as BFBC2 were unplayable (@ 20 fps) you might get away with some of the games on your list but BF3 is not one of them I'm afraid. Definitely go with Windows 64 bit. 32 bit can only see and utilize up to 4 Gb of RAM. Now that I think about it though both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows will be on the same install disc. You will be prompted during installation to select which version you wish to install.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #5 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 11:25 PM

Depends what version Windows 7 you use. Windows 7 ultimate comes with two discs in the pack, one 32bit and the other of course 64bit.

scottmcp432 · scottmcp432 #6 (**permalink**)

05-08-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Depends what version Windows 7 you use. Windows 7 ultimate comes with two discs in the pack, one 32bit and the other of course 64bit.

I stand corrected. I've only ever installed Win 7 HP myself and cannot fathom someone paying extra for Ultimate just to play games via Boocamp.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #7 (**permalink**)

05-08-2012, 06:28 PM

Who plays games?? Do not use Ultimate for that lol!

Bobbleshwartz · Bobbleshwartz #8 (**permalink**)

05-09-2012, 09:18 PM

It says nothing about the card being a 9400m. Is there such thing as a 9400 that isn't mobile (m)? It might be a GT, but I'm pretty sure it would say GT. All it says is nvidia GeForce 9400. That being said, it is only 256 MB, which I'm pretty such is not all that good for gaming.
Anyway, it sounds like BF3 is out of the question, but I assumed that would be the case. The big ones that I want to play are Red Orchestra 2 and Arma 2. If anyone has any idea about those two it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

harryb2448 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,064 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-07-2012, 07:54 PM Old? it is a recent model i5 and will run Bootcamp and your games nicely. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,064 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-07-2012, 11:25 PM Depends what version Windows 7 you use. Windows 7 ultimate comes with two discs in the pack, one 32bit and the other of course 64bit. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,064 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-08-2012, 06:28 PM Who plays games?? Do not use Ultimate for that lol! *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for good external hard drive/enclosure?	markw10	Other Hardware and Peripherals	3	04-14-2010 08:25 AM
Anybody know of any good games?	Qua Sar	OS X - Apps and Games	4	10-13-2009 11:26 AM
Good Hardware for Mac Gaming	GizmoLE	OS X - Apps and Games	3	10-07-2009 09:08 PM
Question about Networking Macs-Which Hardware to use?	markw10	Internet, Networking, and Wireless	3	11-05-2006 10:54 PM
Hardware support on Macs	sekelsenmat	Switcher Hangout	4	05-20-2006 11:28 PM

Is my hardware good enough?

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

Bobbleshwartz #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 07, 2012 Posts: 9	05-07-2012, 07:28 PM I am planning on running bootcamp on my imac so that I can play PC games off of it, but I'm not entirely sure whether it can run them. It's a fairly old computer, and I'm looking to play some pretty modern games. I know that I'll be playing on low graphics settings, but that's fine with me until I can get a newer machine. Here's the specs: imac 9,1 -intel i5 core 2 duo 2.66 GHz -8 GB DDR3 RAM -Nvidia GeForce 9400 graphics card Some of the games I want to play are: -Fallout 3/new vegas -ARMA 2 -Red Orchestra 2 -BF3 (I know its a long shot) -Payday: The Heist There are others, but that list gives a fair overview of what I'm interested in. Any info on which, if any, of these games I could play would be helpful. Thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

scottmcp432 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2010 Location: Midland Texas Posts: 89 Mac Specs: mid '09 13" MBP 2.53 C2D, 8Gb RAM, 250 Gb HD, SL and Win7	05-07-2012, 10:04 PM I Played a few games on my MBP with the 9400M and some games ran well but others such as BFBC2 were unplayable (@ 20 fps) you might get away with some of the games on your list but BF3 is not one of them I'm afraid. Definitely go with Windows 64 bit. 32 bit can only see and utilize up to 4 Gb of RAM. Now that I think about it though both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows will be on the same install disc. You will be prompted during installation to select which version you wish to install.
	QUOTE Thanks

Bobbleshwartz #8 (permalink)
Member Since: May 07, 2012 Posts: 9	05-09-2012, 09:18 PM It says nothing about the card being a 9400m. Is there such thing as a 9400 that isn't mobile (m)? It might be a GT, but I'm pretty sure it would say GT. All it says is nvidia GeForce 9400. That being said, it is only 256 MB, which I'm pretty such is not all that good for gaming. Anyway, it sounds like BF3 is out of the question, but I assumed that would be the case. The big ones that I want to play are Red Orchestra 2 and Arma 2. If anyone has any idea about those two it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)