Considering an iMac for animation/gaming

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I am considering getting this

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB325LL/A?mco=NzMyNjM0

with a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3

I am interested in animating and using vue 6. Is this computer a good choice for that (my first Mac)? I am also interested in playing COD4 or simliar games soemtimes. Mostly, I want to make sure this computer will handle vue 6 and other,simliar, programs, and if rendering will be acceptable.

I was thinking I could build a $1,000 or so quad core 8800GT system that may be better. But I am wanting an Apple. Can you please tell me what you think?

Thanks,
BW
 
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You want an Apple, but your needs seem to require a Windows machine.

I would advise against the iMac this time.
 
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You want an Apple, but your needs seem to require a Windows machine.

I would advise against the iMac this time.
Why? Both software titles listed are Mac compatible?
 
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Will this Imac be a very good(vue 6 and simliar) animation computer?


Thanks for your replies!
 
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Actually, The most expensive I could get a Mac Pro was $27,019.90 which includes all the pre-installed software like Aperture 2, FC Express, etc.

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MA970LL/A?mco=NzQ3Njkz

I think you might be better off buying yourself an Acura RSX with that kind of money.
 
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yeah, the iMac is fine.
 
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yeah, the iMac is fine.

Hey there, thanks for all of your replies. I wonder, will anything besides the rendering time in vue or similar be affected if I get a pc or Imac? Like quality? this taking into account everything else hardware and software wise would be similar?

Thank you
BW

EDIT: I also just built one from cyberpowerpc for under 1000 (barely) CASE: ($10 off Mail-in Rebate) Raidmax Sagitta II Mid-Tower 420W Gaming Case w/ Side-Panel Window (Black Color)
CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
VIDEO CARD 2: NONE
VIDEO CARD 3: NONE
LCD Monitor: NONE
HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (160GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Data Hard Drive: NONE
Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: NONE
SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD

would this run better?
 
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Hey there, thanks for all of your replies. I wonder, will anything besides the rendering time in vue or similar be affected if I get a pc or Imac? Like quality? this taking into account everything else hardware and software wise would be similar?

Thank you
BW

It depends on what PC you're getting. If you're getting a cheaper one (like a Dell or Compaq) then you may need to upgrade on the hardware. But some more expensive ones like HP or Alienware, you'd be fine.

If you go the iMac route, I suggest the 20" 2.66 GHz model, and upgrade the 2GB of RAM to 4GB. The total would come out to ≈ 1700 USD.
 
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It depends on what PC you're getting. If you're getting a cheaper one (like a Dell or Compaq) then you may need to upgrade on the hardware. But some more expensive ones like HP or Alienware, you'd be fine.

If you go the iMac route, I suggest the 20" 2.66 GHz model, and upgrade the 2GB of RAM to 4GB. The total would come out to ≈ 1700 USD.



Ok, Thanks. That looks like a good build. And do you think this would perform better? this is appx 1,000 btw.

CASE: ($10 off Mail-in Rebate) Raidmax Sagitta II Mid-Tower 420W Gaming Case w/ Side-Panel Window (Black Color)
CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (160GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL
SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
 
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are there any available upgrades for the RAM and HDD that wouldn't jack up the cost? Because that's a good setup. I'm sure if the HDD space is taken up, you can always get an external. I would want to raise the memory though, personally.
 
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are there any available upgrades for the RAM and HDD that wouldn't jack up the cost? Because that's a good setup. I'm sure if the HDD space is taken up, you can always get an external. I would want to raise the memory though, personally.

yeah, here's the new one for about 1,200. I mean I really want a mac, but this would be 500$ cheaper and it looks really powerful to me too. What do you think? it seems to me Macs take full advantage of their hardware, and pcs....not so much.
Thanks!
:eek:
CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 1066FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)4GB (4x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
 
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true, and Macs also have loads of features that are highly useful, easier to use, etc. They're both good, but I would prefer to get the Mac. After all, with a Mac, you get what you pay for. If it costs $500 more, you're getting $500 more quality.
 
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You can post hardware specs until you're blue in the face. Fact is OS X and Windows will run things at different speeds, regardless of the hardware.

Plus with modern machines you're looking at fractions of seconds or a few frame rates difference at best on similar hardware...

The choice is more about the software than the hardware.
 

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