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General discussion

what kind of hardware do i need?

Jan 11, 2007 10:36AM PST

hi guys, i've been a pc user my whole life looking to switch to mac. problem is that i really like to play counter strike source, and some other older pc games that i have. i know i can install windows xp to play these pc games, but i dont know much about mac hardware. what kind of hardware would i need to run counter strike source good? i was thinking about getting a refurbished dual core mac mini to make the switch the cheapest way possible, but it has integrated graphics. is there any way to put in a video card, or do i need a whole other mac?

Discussion is locked

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Video Cards
Jan 11, 2007 11:28AM PST

Changing out the video cards on any Mac, with the exception of the Mac Pro, is next to impossible.
You can configure one of the new iMacs with a better video card but cannot buy one separately.

If your proposed system meets the game requirements, you should be OK. I have no idea what the system requirements are for this game.

You could always keep the PC for playing games on and use a KVM switch with your Mac Mini and PC.

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requirements
Jan 11, 2007 1:18PM PST

the requirements for the game are:

Windows

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Requirements
Jan 11, 2007 8:55PM PST

Your choice of Windows version
Mini runs at 1.6 or 1.83 GHz
Mini comes with 512MB RAM expandable to 2GB
Not sure about the DirectX thing. Mac's don't do DirectX but I have seen Parallels, the other method of running Windows on a Mac, cope with DirectX
Mini does not come with a Keyboard or Mouse. Any USB KB or Mouse will do
Mini does not come with an Internet connection. You supply that and the Mini will use it.

Seems like you are set to go.

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"Mini does not come with an Internet connection."
Jan 12, 2007 12:04AM PST
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Read it again
Jan 12, 2007 6:18AM PST

Of course the Mini has built-in ethernet.

System Requirements for the game include
Keyboard
Mouse
Internet connection.

The mini has built-in ethernet but does NOT have an Internet connection. You have to provide that, by arrangement with your Internet service provider.

Just because you have built-in ethernet, does not mean you have an internet connection.
Ditto with a wireless capability, you still have to have someone to talk to.

You seem to have missed the meagre attempt at levity. Happy

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I agree, "you still have to have someone to talk to"
Jan 12, 2007 8:06AM PST

but I just wanted to be clear and point out the various ways that internet connection could be made.

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(NT) and built-in 802.11g (wireless)
Jan 12, 2007 12:05AM PST
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im not convinced
Jan 12, 2007 7:37AM PST

im having trouble with this. the mac mini doesnt even have a video card. i also dont think 2 ghz on a mac is the same thing as 2 ghz on a pc. the fastest the imac goes up to is 2.33 ghz but its faster than some 3 ghz single core PCs.

is anyone here a pc gamer on their macs?

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The MacMini has video capabilities
Jan 12, 2007 8:19AM PST
http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html

Just because it isn't a card in a PCI slot that is removable or replaceable does not make it anything less... Extending your comment further, the Mac mini does not have a network card or an audio card either - yet it provides full support for networking (wired and wireless) and audio (including optical)... and USB and FireWire for peripheral (and additional network) connectivity.

Now, the video support may not be what you need to support the complex graphics of high-end games... but it certainly does support video... quite nicely.

As for the CPU clockspeed - call it what ever you want - but it is still a CPU cycle on an Intel CoreDuo CPU... The same chip in another machine is still the same chip running at the same clockspeed. Comparing different chips (CoreDuo vs single core) is not comparing the same chip.

You *could* just not worry about it and get a MacPro tower...
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Convincing
Jan 12, 2007 9:09AM PST

I wasn't aware that we had to convince you of anything. All you wanted to know was if your game would play on a Mac Mini.
I'm also confused about your statement that the 2Ghz processors on a Mac is not the same as a 2Ghz processor on a PC. This despite the fact that they are both Core 2 Duo's, are both made by Intel, and are both clocked at 2Ghz. Hey, it's exactly the same chip. The difference is speed, faster on a Mac, is because the OS is meaner and leaner and is written to take advantage of the 2 cores. Windows is not.
This may be a little simplistic but, a processor with 2 cores running at 2.33GHz should really be faster than a processor with one core running at 3Ghz,

Once again, you can always keep your existing PC, get a Mac and a KVM switch. Use the Mac for real work and the PC for your gaming

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