[Stovelybeast]

I am currently gaming on an antique computer and it simply isn't holding up to the demands of World of Warcraft. Since the release of the Mac Pro's I have been intensely debating whether or not to purchase one and have finally decided to do so. However, with all of the customization of the computer I am not exactly sure where I want to go.

Things that I have already decided on:
Biggest upgrade to GPU (forgot what this was)
8G RAM

Other than that i'm looking for input on what will be a long lasting (5-6 year) computer that is will run world of warcraft without any problems and incredibly low lag. Essentially the best I can get without spending in trivial areas. I understand that I will probably be looking into at least a 2.6 GHz processor but the jury is still out on whether quad-2.93 GHz is going to be worth it. Regarding this is the fact that I run vent and will be streaming content from WoW. Any other input and necessary components would be greatly appreciated

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Sneaky Snake]

Here's another thread about this topic

It depends what all you do on a computer. The 2.66 GHz should be quite capable for everything, unless you do a lot of video rendering or some other task with a very stressing professional app. The 4870 (top of the line GPU) is a definite must as the other GPU, the GT 120, sucks to put it plainly. Also 6 GB's of RAM is probably a better choice then 8. With the current architecture of the Nehalem Mac Pro it likes its RAM to be in Multiples of 3 (3 GB, 6GB, 9 ...). So the performance gains of 8 GB's would be fairly minimal. Any lag you have would be entirely dependent on your internet connection, not your comptuer.

Just to let you know the the latest Mac Pro with 4870 with be able to run WOW at max settings with very high framerates ( I would expect in the 100's). If you wanted to save yourself about $500 you could get the top of the line iMac with 4850 GPU. It would be able to run WOW fully maxed as well and still get high framerates. However with the iMac there is no way to upgrade in the future.

Longetivity of quad 2.66 Mac Pro with 6 GB's of RAM and 4870 - probably 3 years with current GPU - but you could upgrade that in a year or two to a better, newer one. If you kept upgrading the GPU every few years and maybe went to to 9 GB's of RAM in 3 years your comptuer would be good for a long time. You could even get a blu-ray drive in a year when its supported in OS X

The iMac would be pretty obsolete in about 3 years and there's no way to upgrade it.

your call



-Snake

[Magnum]

Indeed the latest Mac Pro with the 4870 would run WoW max FPS everywhere (except Dalaran, I kinda doubt you won't lag there)

[Stovelybeast]

Thank you for the updates. And sorry about dropping the lag bomb there. Obviously completely dependent upon internet, i was actually more worried about the framerate which you addressed completely. So essentially my best option is pretty much how i called it except for the RAM.

I know you quickly posted on the multiples of 3G being more compatible with the processor's and etc. Are you able to expand on this and if i were as you say to get another 3G Ram in around 3 years anyone willing to speculate on price?

Other than that i'm not getting a major upgrade in any other area?

[Sneaky Snake]

The RAM that the Mac Pro uses (and any Nehalem or i7 machine) is tri-channel. It is super fast DDR3 RAM. Because it is tri-channel it just works better in multiples of 3. 8 GB's wouldn't be a bad thing over 6, but the effect it had would be fairly minimal. Also the RAM likes to be in groups of 3 not only in their GB's but in there layout. Three 1 GB sticks is better then one 2 GB stick + one 1 GB stick.

Just make sure that you get the 4870, it the most important piece of hardware when it comes to gaming

[Stu]

Stovelybeast, on March 19th 2009, 02:38 PM, said:

I am currently gaming on an antique computer and it simply isn't holding up to the demands of World of Warcraft. Since the release of the Mac Pro's I have been intensely debating whether or not to purchase one and have finally decided to do so.

I've also been on the fence about doing this, I'd be very interested with what you find out if you go ahead and purchase one.

[Stu]

Stu, on April 13th 2009, 03:33 AM, said:

I've also been on the fence about doing this, I'd be very interested with what you find out if you go ahead and purchase one.

My work just had the following Mac delivered so I had to try out some WoW on it:

8 Core 2.26GHz
6GB Ram
ATI 4870

WoW was running off an iPod Photo via USB 2, with addons running, things like OneBank, Auctioneer, Titan etc..

I was on average getting 60-70fps with everything at the highest settings, max resolution and 8x multisample.

[alkar]

Surely not as high when looking at people in Dalaran during peek times, am I wrong ?

[Stu]

alkar, on April 14th 2009, 09:03 AM, said:

Surely not as high when looking at people in Dalaran during peek times, am I wrong ?

Ahh don't know, I doubt it but don't have a char that can get there yet.. plus only had 20mins to have a play with the machine.. should have been working

[Peter S.]

Running WOW on my 1st generation MacPro 2.0 Ghz with a NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, 6GB RAM, with everything on max in 1920X1200 pixel (26" LCD).
Works out quite nicely, no problems what so ever. Proberly not the highest FPS, but I have no complaints.