I've heard several people reference they have drastically improved their gaming performance by optimizing things in Windows 7. While I wait for mine to arrive I would love it if anyone can post their tips and advice on getting the most out of this mediocre GPU.
View 2 RepliesI have a new 27" iMac with the i5 processor, Snow Leopard, and 8GB of Ram. Using the secondary display trick, I was able to successfully install Windows 7 (64 bit) with Bootcamp and it is working great. But I also have Parallels Desktop 5 (latest version) and am having troubles with it running Windows 7 from my Bootcamp partition.
I was able to get the virtual machine installed and Windows 7 will boot. However, it takes a LONG time to start the virtual machine and hard drive access is VERY sluggish. To be clear, Parallels itself loads fast but once I start the Windows 7 virtual machine, it takes 5-10 minutes to loads. But even after it loads, any time I do something to access the HD, it is very slow. For example, if I try to play a game, it'll take a long time to load the game but once it gets loaded, it runs great. So I know it's not a memory, CPU, or GPU issue. I have 4 GB or Ram dedicated to the virtual machine.
Now I thought I read something about Parallels having trouble with Windows 7 when using the Bootcamp partition - something about a HFS reading problem from a Bootcamp driving or something?
My Mac is booting into the 32bit kernel of Snow Leopard and the Windows 7 installation is 64 bit? Would that be causing a problem?
I also have Macfuse and Paragon NTFS installed on the Mac. Would those be causing a problem?
Specifically, what do you think could be causing the very slow hard drive access in my virtual machine? I wasn't able to find a solution at the Parallels website.
I have a quick question relating to MacBook gaming: My old HD was way too small, so I bought a 320GB to replace it. I'll be doing a clean install soon. I also have an old copy of XP that I got ages ago and never used. I'm hoping the activation key still works...
Anyway, back in the day, I used to play Quake II and III a lot, as well as some other games. I think I still have the disks somewhere. I really liked Quake II, and would like to go through it again. Plus, I'm sure there are some other vintage (QII was '97!) games I could play.
My MacBook is the first Core 2 Duo model, with 2 GB of RAM and, I guess, the 950 integrated graphics. The PC I used to use for QII was a P2 450 MHz with a Voodoo GPU, so I *think* it should be no sweat for the Macbook, even with the crappy integrated graphics.... Heck, it seems some netbooks will run these old games.
Anyone done this? I don't want to go through the hassle of partitioning and installing XP if it's pointless.
I will be purchasing my first Mac within the next few weeks, It is the 2.22ghz Intel Core 2 Duo version. My questions are as follows...
I will be playing a fair amount of games, and intend to use Windows on Boot Camp.
1. How do the games play on my system when using Bootcamp? GTA IV, Fallout Bio Shock etc
2. What Windows is best to install on Bootcamp?
3. Do you have to go through Mac OS access Bootcamp and then go onto Windows or is there an option to chose your OS upon booting the Laptop up
4. I intend to use an external HDD for time machine but also intend to use it for backing up Windows Stuff. Is there a magic or specific way of going about this?
I'm fairly new to Mac's and have had this 13" MBP since July of 2009. I've noticed that my laptop will display a black screen and will not respond until I hold the power button and then restart it. Last week I sent it to Apple repair which they had it for a week and could not duplicate the problem. So it was sent back to me un-repaired. I honestly feel as though there is something wrong because at first I thought it wasn't waking up from sleep mode. However since getting the laptop back on Friday I have be paying attention to what's going on.
Since I thought it was a sleep issue, I thought if I went into the System Preferences, Energy Saver and from there I changed both the Battery & Power Adapter settings to NEVER, to keep it from going into Sleep Mode. Well after a little while the laptop will go to the black screen like I've been experiencing but why is the screen going black if I don't have it set to ever going to sleep?
Here's the deal: I have the most recent 17" UMBP, purchased last August, 2009 and got the Snow Leopard Up To Date Disk, did an install on my stock Hard Drive and have been VERY happy with everything for the past few months.
But... All these threads championing the latest Intel SSD G2 have finally gotten to me and, I just purchased the 80GB model from Newegg. It should be here tomorrow.
Now, I ask that you confirm, a specific question about installation from my UTD disk and then advise.
note that I've searched a ton about this subject. It's been answered in so many conflicting ways, I'm running it by you guys once again.
So then, it seems that I can NOT install Snow Leopard from my UTD disk onto the new, fresh Intel SSD installed into my 17" UMBP. This is the case, yes?
A workaround, I figure, would be to install Leopard 10.5 onto the new SSD and then to a clean and erase and then instal of 10.6 on top. I assume the UTD will read 10.5 and let the upgrade proceed.
So, finally, a question: Should I be worried about installing a total of two OSs given that I (cheaply!) opted for the smaller 80GB SSD and that 10.6 doesn't support TRIM?
I have a 2008 MacPro with dual 2.8's running the latest version of 10.5 (I have been reluctent to upgrade to 10.6). I also use Apples's magic mouse.
The only reason I still use my PC is for Quicken. I have tried trials of Mac replacements but they just didn't cut it for me and Essentials has had disappointing reviews. So I have a full copy of XP Pro, SP2 coming.
I was going to do a small partition of 20 or 30 gigs and install XP and Quicken using Boot Camp.
Any advice/comments form those with Mac/Windows experience?
My Mac is hard wired to my Airport so wireless internet is not an issue and I may not even activate internet for the windows partition. No need for Mac to PC file sharing either.
Will the Blue Tooth mouse work?
I have read SP3 can cause problems so stay with sp2?
Might it be better to have a HD just for windows?
Has anybody compared gaming under Win7 32 vs 64. Im not that thrilled with the performance on Battlefield 2, but am currently running win 32. I wonder if 64 and its ability to use more RAM will help with gaming experience. Also, I've seen many threads on trying to update the Nvidia drivers, but not many responses on whether it helped much, considering what had to be done just to get the drivers updated....is it worth it.
I wish Apple would address the outdated drivers.
I just got a 2.26 Ghz macbook pro 13" and I want to do a little light gaming so I am wondering what bootcamp to run.. Should I run XP or Windows 7. What will have better performance and will directx10 be that big of a difference on games COD MW2?
View 5 Replies View RelatedSo I got offered a Quad G5 for $450. It comes with Leopard and I have wanted one for a while.
What are the benefits and detriments of this system?
I think I will get the base model (3GB) and add a 2x4GB Crucial kit.
My question is this - is there any hit for keeping 2 x 1GB and putting the 2x4GB in (10GB Total)?
My uses are VM (XP for Corel Draw only) and CS5 in the mac side. I also need to do a lot of handbrake to convert my divx encodes to a more mac friendly format.
i have a question. i have installed windows xp through bootcamp on the mbp 2009, 2 GB RAM, 2.26 ghz, nvidia 9400m. the thing is the computer gets extremely hot when playing 'guild wars' on LOWEST setting. it is not a very graphics or cpu intensive game, i mean my old toshiba 900mhz celeron processor, 2gb ram vista laptop can run it without heat issues. is there any way to fix this? i have tried the smcfancontrol method, but with that it doesn't work for me because i have to shut off bootcamp.exe in windows and put the computer to sleep and then turn it back on in order for the keyboard backlight to turn off.
View 2 Replies View RelatedI have been trying to determine which Backup program is best to use to backup my MacPro to my CalDigit external eSATA VR Mini RAID drives? I have heard lots of good stuff about SuperDuper, Chronosynch, Carbon Copy Cloner...
View 3 Replies View RelatedI have a single Quad core 2008 Mac Pro with 2GB RAM (2x1GB). I am hoping to get more RAM from Crucial. I don't use my Pro for hard core stuff, just Internet, COD4, SecondLife, movies, iPhoto, iTunes etc..
I need to decide whether to get 2x1GB or 2X2GB. The 2x2GB is better value for money but I heard that a 4 matching set ie. 4x1GB would optimize RAM speed. Is this true? Would 4x1GB be faster than 2x1GB + 2x2GB for the applications I use?
I need a new/best card for a G5 quad 2.5. I know it's old (4 years) but it's still used quite a bit - mainly for Photoshop work. The card needs to run 2 x 23" Cinema Displays. I'm not sure if it makes any difference but it has 16GB memory (twice as much as our new 2.93 Quad can take - there's something not quite right there...)
View 12 Replies View Relatedbluetooth and I am positive one of you are going to say bluetooth and gaming dont go together, but I did not ask that. Also, already know about the Razer Orochi but would like to stay away from it after I read alot of problems with the micro-sleep mode disconnecting the mouse every 1.5 seconds.
View 15 Replies View Related I am wondering how I go about removing my Hard Drive from my Power Mac G4 QUicksilver? I don't know the first thing about removal or location of the HD?
It is a 40GB Ultra ATA/66 (5400 rpm)
I would like to remove it and fit it with a Hard Drive case enclosure so I can use it as an extra external for backing up data.
I was told by Tiger Direct that this enclosure should work:
[URL]
I would ultimately be connecting to a macmini for backing up data periodically.
I am doing a project in which I'm circulating some sensitive material via PDF files. Ideally, I'd love it if the PDF file could expire so that the sensitive material wasn't hanging out on people's computers forever. (the material isn't life or death sensitive-- but it would be great if we could limit the time that it existed "out there")..
I looked into solutions that create PDF files that expire-- but the functionality is expensive ($3000) and requires users download an Acrobat plugin-- which is too cumbersome for the scientists that need to see these PDFs--- any sort of expiration/security/DRM we impose on the files needs to be 100% transparent.
Does anyone know of an inexpensive way to do this with PDF files? (I have a feeling it might not be possible)--or not easily possible for someone without programming expertise like me--- BUT-- on the other hand....
Can anyone suggest another way to distribute documents that would expire?-- someone suggested using Flash or web delivery of some sort? Anyone have ideas on that front? The situation is that we're creating documents that are 40 to 150 pages in length, and have bookmarks for sections in the document-- so if we went to a Flash or Web delivery type of method.. it would have to be quite simple to go from PDF to this format--- and the medium would have to be printable and viewable when not connected to the internet.
I was just wondering what everyones views are on gaming on battery power. I have a new 2010 MBP and was wondering if I should leave the AC adapter out and plug it in when the power gets low, or just keep it plugged in gaming all the time.
View 7 Replies View RelatedI still have my serious video ram problem set my other post. The apple store wanted $650 to replace my motherboard and the cheapest i found one online was $950, all for a machine that SL will not even support. I am limping along waiting for my i7 iMac to show (Whenever that is)
Here is my question. I am not sure if my data on tis machine is corrupted by my video ram problem so not sure I want to do the firewire transfer, that is if my machine will even last till my new one shows.
I have 2 back-ups a time machine and a super duper backup of 99% of my stuff. If I use my time machine back-up wont it wipe SL OS 10.6 off the new machine? When you do a TM back-up from disk utility from the OS10.5 leopard start-up disc, it says that it will completely wipe your HD clean.
BTW do any of you experts know if my video artifact problem is corrupting my files or just my video, while I am typing this everything looks good unless I look at my menu-bar or dock which is pretty distorted....
I don't know about everyone else, but I literally cannot wait to sink some gaming hours into this wonderful machine that up until recently I did not thing would game at all!
Although my Air is still on a conveyor belt somewhere with cool lasers and stuff I know there are some people out there with there machines in there hands ready to do some showing off , well here is where you can do it!
I will keep an updated list of games people have requested to see benchmarked here in this first post. All you have to do is pick a game (preferably one you already own) and benchmark it! You can add your benchmark to this thread and again i will direct link to your benchmark in this first post. Useful and awesome eh? Games can be mac or boot camp just so long as you let us know which you are trying out! I'll get us started on a list but request away.
Games awaiting benchmark:
- World of Warcraft
- Dragon Age
- Mass Effect 2
- Half Life 2
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Team Fortress 2
- Crysis
- GTA IV
Benchmarked Games
- Call Of Duty 4 - OSX - Thanks to theunits3
- Starcraft 2 - OSX - Thanks to theunits3
I run Windows 7 in VMWare for everyday use, but for gaming I want to use bootcamp. I am confused whether to install XP or 7.
Reading this forum and googling, I knocked VISTA out of the equation,, but since 7 is almost as nippy as XP, I am not sure.
specs:
4GB ram
Processor Speed 2.4 GHz
Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
when i play dragon age in boot camp with windows 7 it gets insanely hot (200 f sometimes) and the game eventually quits. this is really annoying cause it is such a great game. i even tried it on the lowest possible visuals and this still happens. also when the machine is just sitting and i am not running anything at all it still heats up and stays hot. this does not happen in os x just in windows 7.
when i had vista on boot camp i used to play some very graphic intense games on much higher visuals such as mass effect and fallout 3 and had no problems. it got hot but never unbearable to the point that the game quit.
With some advice from this forum I've now setup vista on a bootcamp partition and have pointed parallels at this installation which all works well. When I boot into vista I have the proper Radeon driver installed and can play games fine on max settings at the highest resolution, however if I try to run a windows game from Parallels in OSX it defaults to the Parallels video driver and 640x480 resolution. Is there any way of running games at full screen/full settings from osx or will I have to reboot into windows each time?
View 4 Replies View RelatedJust wondering which one will be best for me to install on my MBP for gaming in Bootcamp. Pros & cons of each?
View 5 Replies View RelatedI don't think this was an issue back then when I had only purchased my MBP. I am using a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 15" MBP, with Mobility Radeon X1600 as my graphics card. I'm also on a 4 GB RAM. I'm using Leopard, running Mac OS X 10.5.8.
I'm using a 2.1 version of Bootcamp. I use Windows XP SP3.
Basically, I know that my MBP will be hotter when playing games, but the heat issue wasn't an issue back then. I don't know why it should be an issue now.
I've run the test using a Parallels, for the same games: Majesty 2, Virtua Tennis 2009, Lineage II, Worms Armageddon. The games run very slowly in the Parallels, as expected, but I was only waiting for my Windows to crash after a little time of playing, but it didn't happen when I was using the Parallels.
Also, I have no problem running any games in Mac itself, games such as Civilization IV, Fable TLC, Tomb Raider.
Therefore, I think I'm justified to believe that the problem lies specifically with running games in bootcamp (my windows doesn't crash if I don't play any games). Which is of course, one of the few reasons I install Windows on a Mac, that is for gaming.
I purchased a new MacBook 13" laptop over the summer and it has OSX 10.5. Can I use the disks that came with this to install OSX 10.5 on an older G5 tower?
I'm interested in converting the G5 to a gaming computer and partitioning with bootcamp so that I may play PC games.
Where can i but xp cheaply? And wich version for gaming? i am also under the impression that you can boot the computer into mac or windows, is this true?
View 3 Replies View Relatedfinding a gaming mac fast?
my choice will be 3"MBP>>>>>>
2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD�R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Apple Remote
I know there have been threads about this topic already, but I haven't found a single one that suits me. I just purchased a new i7 and want some framerates and a decent idea of what to expect when I get home and start using this bad boy. I don't do any real heavy gaming - mostly just old school titles...quake 3, counterstrike, escape velocity (kidding). I plan on playing some starcraft 2 and was mostly curious if I would be able to run the game on utlra at native res. What sort of framerates are you all seeing with sc2?
View 10 Replies View Related