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    so the imac now has an 8800 gs eh?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Muff Bandit, Apr 28, 2008.

  1. Muff Bandit

    Muff Bandit Newbie

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    is this able to play newer games now? i tried searching benchmarks but i could not find any for the 512mb version. im tempted to order one of theese puppies if it can play newer games well. also when do you the next gpu upgrade will be in the imac?
     
    Muff Bandit, Apr 28, 2008
    #1
  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    The probably downclocked 8800GS will be able to run modern games, but of course, games such as Crysis will always struggle.
    Of course, if all you want to do is play games, just buy a PC.
     
    Budding, Apr 28, 2008
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  3. joshuaLX

    joshuaLX Notebook Evangelist

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    Doesn't apple use mobile GPUs in the iMacs?
     
    joshuaLX, Apr 28, 2008
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  4. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nope. It does use mobile RAM modules and chipsets and CPUs.
     
    Budding, Apr 28, 2008
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  5. Muff Bandit

    Muff Bandit Newbie

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    i dont really want to go to pc if its just a matter of the latest games. do you think this could max a game such as call of duty 4?
     
    Muff Bandit, Apr 28, 2008
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  6. foodle

    foodle Notebook Enthusiast

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    foodle, Apr 28, 2008
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  7. dab3

    dab3 Notebook Guru

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    If you check out the discussion on the Macrumors Page, they mention that the 8800GS is the exact equivalent of a 8700M GT. This is probably a play with names to trick some gamers.
     
    dab3, Apr 28, 2008
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  8. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm still a little surprised. I didn't expect Apple to add an 8800 option to the iMac. Not that I'm complaining :p. Now, I might consider the iMac when I'm choosing a desktop!
     
    Sam, Apr 28, 2008
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  9. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Really nice considering Dells only using 2400m...

    I still have problems with AiO not being upgradable (video card wise).
     
    hollownail, Apr 28, 2008
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  10. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    Pretty sure this isn't true, since the 8700M GT had a 128-bit membus, while the 8800 GS has a 192-bit one. The 8800 GS also has 96 shader units, to the 8700M GT's 32. I'm sure there are other differences as well.
     
    niemassacre, Apr 28, 2008
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  11. Muff Bandit

    Muff Bandit Newbie

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    wow thats pretty disgraceful, i love how apple trys to trick people with the 8800 name. 8700m is terrible for a laptop card let alone a desktop. looks like i will be waiting for the next update.
     
    Muff Bandit, Apr 28, 2008
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  12. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    I think the implication is that the iMac's 8800 GS is actually the 8800M GS which is consistent the the iMac's tradition of using mobile GPUs like the X1600 which was actually a Mobility X1600 and the HD 2600 Pro which is actually pretty much a Mobility 2600XT if I remember the original discussion when the aluminum iMacs were first released. The Apple has always dropped the mobile references to it's iMac GPUs probably because they think it doesn't apply since it's used in a desktop. And the 8800M GS was the original name for the 8700M GT, so I guess Apple feels they are using the "true" name of the 8700M GT minus the mobile reference.
     
    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  13. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    Wow, if that's true, that's pretty low-handed. I sure hope that isn't the case...I'd be very, very disappointed in Apple. If you're gonna shove mobile cards in your desktop (and I understand why they might need to for the iMac), then own up to it.
     
    niemassacre, Apr 28, 2008
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  14. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Well, the thing is, nVidia has clearly listed the specs of the 8800 GS on their website. It'll only be a matter of time (1 day given how fast Macs are analyzed) that everyone knows the true performance (clocks, speed, gameplay, etc) of the 8800 GS in the iMac, thus Apple's only doing itself a disfavor if they've heavily downclocked or crippled their version of the 8800 GS.
     
    Lithus, Apr 28, 2008
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  15. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Well whatever it is the 8800 GS is almost certainly not the PC desktop 8800 GS, since the "real" 8800 GS has a 192-bit memory bus so it doesn't come in a 512MB configuration. So either it's the 8800M GS/8700M GT or it's some other desktop derivative, but it isn't the same as what has been available to date.
     
    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  16. Wraith of Vern

    Wraith of Vern Notebook Consultant

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    Are you sure because in decections the cards do look very small and don't have much by the way of cooling either. That is on an Intel iMac meaning it is a dedicated card too.
     
    Wraith of Vern, Apr 28, 2008
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  17. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    You are all aware that Apple hasn't used a mobile GPU in their iMacs since the X1600 right? So this 8800GS is probably a downclocked desktop version, otherwise why would anyone pay extra for a mobile nVidia GPU as opposed to a desktop HD2600?
     
    Budding, Apr 28, 2008
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  18. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Are you sure?

    http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=4039454&postcount=163
    http://www.adamsimac.com/2007/09/19/new-imac-mobility-radeon-hd-2600-xt/

    The HD 2600 Pro in the iMac is reported to be a Mobility HD 2600XT downclocked to 600MHz core and 685MHz memory. In comparison a desktop HD 2600 Pro clocks at 550MHz core and 700MHz memory, so Apple was justified in it's naming.

    So using another mobile GPU isn't so far fetched if the HD 2600 is already a mobile GPU, and the 8700M GT would still offer some performance benefit over an underclocked Mobility HD 2600XT.
     
    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  19. Wraith of Vern

    Wraith of Vern Notebook Consultant

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    The graphics card is soldered onto the motherboard, now wouldn't a desktop sized card be a bit too bid to be soldering onto the motherboard, not to mention to space usage of a desktop sized card which the new generation iMac doesn't exactly have.

    Plus, why would they use Notebook, CPU, RAM, Chipset but a desktop GPU? That seems a bit out performance and power wise doesn't it?
     
    Wraith of Vern, Apr 28, 2008
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  20. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    The iMac's GPU actually isn't soldered into the motherboard. The GPU is soldered to a MXM-like daughter card that slides into a slot on the main motherboard.
     
    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  21. Wraith of Vern

    Wraith of Vern Notebook Consultant

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    I stand corrected.
     
    Wraith of Vern, Apr 28, 2008
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  22. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    S.SubZero, Apr 28, 2008
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  23. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    I think what people have been saying is that the iMac isn't actually using the desktop 8800 GS, but either a downclocked version or a mobile card (such as a rebranded 8700M GT). We'll only really know once someone runs some benchmarks on the new models...
     
    niemassacre, Apr 28, 2008
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  24. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  25. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    Wow, it's got a 256-bit membus? That's pretty nice...too bad the clock is pretty slow...but still...that's better than I was expecting for the card.
     
    niemassacre, Apr 28, 2008
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  26. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Really makes you wish Apple would put a better base graphics card in the Mac Pro than the HD 2600XT.

    Now if only Apple will decide to put the 9700M GTS in the next MacBook Pro. The 9700M GTS is G94 based with 64-shaders like the 8800 GS, and is the only G94 that isn't a 9800M series which would have higher thermal profiles and prices. Time to fill out the MBP feedback form again I guess.
     
    ltcommander_data, Apr 28, 2008
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  27. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Nice upgrade, but worth $3000? I don't think so.
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
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  28. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    Where'd you get the $3000 figure? Did you mean $2000? You're right in terms of hardware - which is a pretty standard argument against Macs (especially desktops) - you pay for more than just the tangible components. Still is a pretty nice system I think, and if you want OS X...you don't have a lot of options :)
     
    niemassacre, Apr 29, 2008
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  29. Lethal Lottery

    Lethal Lottery Notebook Betrayer

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    the 8800m gts is an ok card. still though for that money for a non portable i would be dissapointed.
     
    Lethal Lottery, Apr 29, 2008
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  30. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebO...a/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&node=home/desktop/imac
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
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  31. niemassacre

    niemassacre Notebook Evangelist

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    niemassacre, Apr 29, 2008
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  32. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    The only difference I can see between the different versions of HD2600, mobility and desktop, is clock speeds.

    Umm, yeah, it's 3100 USD here in sweden.
     
    fabarati, Apr 29, 2008
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  33. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Damn, you guys get it worse than we do!

    I wish they'd make the 24" with a 2.0GHz Core 2, and the 8800GS, then I'd consider it. I don't need a Core 2 Extreme for World of Warcraft, TF2 and porn.
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
    #33
  34. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    You can upgrade the cheaper 24" to 8800GS. It's still a 2,8GHz mobile Core 2 duo.
     
    fabarati, Apr 29, 2008
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  35. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Yeah, still too overpowered and expensive for me. I tried asking Apple about it today and they said they can't do it custom either.
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
    #35
  36. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    Of course they can't...
     
    fabarati, Apr 29, 2008
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  37. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    I wanted the top end model, but with the processor of the low end model. Wouldn't be too hard, but they just wont do it.
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
    #37
  38. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    I know. It was aimed towards apple, not you.
     
    fabarati, Apr 29, 2008
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  39. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Naw, Apple doesn't do too much personal customization at this point.
     
    Sam, Apr 29, 2008
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  40. jjahshik32

    jjahshik32 Notebook Deity

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    8800gs performance looks pretty weak..
     
    jjahshik32, Apr 29, 2008
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  41. Lysander

    Lysander AFK, raid time.

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    Yeah, it's a shame, because my mum likes the iMacs too.
     
    Lysander, Apr 29, 2008
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  42. icecone

    icecone Notebook Guru

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    LOL
    apple's target are those who know nothing about hardware
    look at their ads and you'll understand
     
    icecone, Apr 30, 2008
    #42
  43. jjahshik32

    jjahshik32 Notebook Deity

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    But then look at Dell's commercial, "Dude you got a dell"!! Dude where's my car?? :eek:
     
    jjahshik32, Apr 30, 2008
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  44. joshuaLX

    joshuaLX Notebook Evangelist

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    What's interesting in my mind is that all of the Mac users I know are either really basic or really advanced with nothing in between.
     
    joshuaLX, Apr 30, 2008
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  45. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    You realize that the market of those who don't know technology are like 90% of the population, right? :p The techie people that surf the forums like us are only a very small percentage. I'd say Apple's going the right path by targeting the 90%.
     
    Sam, Apr 30, 2008
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  46. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Thats somewhat obvious by apple only have basic computers (the imac/mac mini) or the super powerful professional workstations (mac pro). :-/

    I got tired of waiting for a normal desktop mac so I built a new gaming rig. Now if I can get a Mac Pro case for it for not too cheap that would be awesome.
     
    hollownail, Apr 30, 2008
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  47. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

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    Agreed with Sam. I do get a bit irked when people say that Macs are for people who are less technically inclined. I had 3 PC's from Windows 95-98 and switched to the Macintosh and have been on Macs for the better of 10 years. I have a degree in electronics/computer science and I prefer a computer that doesn't test my computer knowledge everyday like Windows :p rather I just a computer that works with less hassle and that would be the Macintosh.
     
    HLdan, Apr 30, 2008
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  48. i3urtongirl

    i3urtongirl Notebook Consultant

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    i3urtongirl, Apr 30, 2008
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  49. Lethal Lottery

    Lethal Lottery Notebook Betrayer

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    so does anyone know is this will be as good or better than the 8800m gtx?
     
    Lethal Lottery, May 9, 2008
    #49
  50. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    ltcommander_data, May 9, 2008
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