3D Windows Games on iMac (Half-Life 2 + HL2:Ep1)

[Smedley]

I have been considering switching from Windows to Mac for a long time. I've been looking at the iMacs but there is one thing holding me back... high-end 3D gaming, specifically my favorite games: Half-Life 2 and HL2:Ep1. I have been looking at three configurations of the iMac: 1) 17-inch with 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon X1600 (256 MB), and a 500 GB hard drive; 2) 20-inch with 2.33 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, Radeon X1600 (256), and 500 GB HD, 3) 24-inch with 2.33 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM,, Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT (256) and 750 GB HD.

I have two questions: 1) Are any of these setups powerful enough to run HL2:Ep1 with full visual effects, including HDR lighting, AA and AF at full-screen resolution and still give a decent frame-rate (30+ FPS), and 2) The HL2:Lost Coast episode says it runs best on a 3GHz or faster processor. How does a 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo compare to a 3 GHz Pentium 4?

I apologize if any of this seems confusing but I would appreciate any information anyone can offer.

 

[moss918]

Click

I'm not a PC gamer myself but the above link does various benchmarks comparing a Core 2 Duo E6600 at 2.4GHz to a 2.66GHz Pentium D 805. Thought it may be of interest as it also tests HL2:Ep1.

 

[Bussta]

Well if it's any help I've got the 20" 2.16 Core Duo 2, with 256mb X1600 in it and 2 Gig Ram.

My main reason for getting the imac was to play Battlefield 2 (as well as usual mac stuff), but I am more than happy with it's performance, it runs fast at all high settings, I am sure it would run Half Life 2 well too.

I would say though that if you can afford it go for the high end 24" iMac with the Nvidea card in, it's better at 3d games, but spec the ram up & video Ram and you will be laughing!

 

[cwa107]

The iMac you refer to would be more than adequate to run HL2 and the subsequent serialized episodes.

The only thing I would bring your attention to is that the video card in the iMac is not easily upgradeable. So if you are an avid gamer and frequently upgrade your video card, you might want to take a look at the Mac Pro or keep your existing desktop to play games on.

Personally, I keep my desktop XP box for playing games. My Mac is for the casual use and any productive work.

 

[moss918]

That wasn't a link, sorry... I'll find it again.

EDIT: Fixed link above.

 

[Smedley]

iMac or Mac Pro for Half-Life 2:Episode 1

I have been using Windows XP since shortly after it came out in 2001. I love to play 3D first-person shooter games like Half-Life 2 and its sequel(s). In fact, this is the only thing keeping me from leaving Windows behind completely and moving to a Mac full-time. I know that I can now run XP on a Mac using Boot Camp which, in this case, I would prefer over Parallels, but I would like your opinion on which model I should get.

I want to be able to run, say, HL2:Ep. 1 at full-screen resolution with HDR lighting and all the eye candy turned on. Would the 24-inch iMac be powerful enough to let me do this and still give me a good frame-rate (30+fps) or would I have to go with a Mac Pro?