GPU query about 2011 Macbook Pro 13" i7 model

[FaaR]

I'm a PC guy really, but PC laptops have never really struck my fancy. They're usually creaky affairs built out of plastic, need an odd assortment of drivers, stuff like that. Macs are neat, highly integrated, metal chassis etc. So I'll be getting one soon, hopefully.

I'd like to do a little bit of gaming on this thing, WoW mainly, so I don't need super framerates, I'm just wondering about GPU performance and wether the integrated GPU has a full set of 12 shader clusters or the cut-down version with just 6. Also, GPU clock speed/turbo mode speed?

Also, has anyone run WoW on a 13" sandy bridge and can give some indication of how well it runs? WoW's graphics engine is a bit of a pig really, it bottlenecks and bogs down easily, but since a macbook has fairly low screen res maybe it's not such an issue... :razz:

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[TheStu]

Pretty sure that the 13" has the 3000 GPU, not the 2000, but if you want to check out Anand's review of the 13" I think that WoW was tested.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

If you want to game, get a PC.

/thread

 

[FaaR]

Pretty sure that the 13" has the 3000 GPU, not the 2000

Ah, so the 2000 is the 6 EU version then. Thanks.

but if you want to check out Anand's review of the 13" I think that WoW was tested.

I read part of the review, but found the layout of the graphs confusing with the mixing of old macbooks and new, different size macbooks and stuff (and also, the 13" wasn't featured in all tests I think), so I started skimming.

I guess I should go back and re-read it though...

If you want to game, get a PC.

/thread

You probably thought you were funny, witty, or both. In reality you're neither.

Instead of trolling threads where people ask for information, you go have yourself a nice cup of STFU mmkay?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

You probably thought you were funny, witty, or both. In reality you're neither.

Actually I'm telling you the honest truth. No one would seriously buy a computer with gaming as the primary purpose and choose a Mac. That would be foolish.

 

[Ka0t1x]

Actually a lot of WoW's clunkiness is due to its disk and memory i/o. OS X actually handles Warcraft like a champ.

If it matters at all, fiancee plays Warcraft a medium settings 1680x1050. Mac Mini, 5400RPM HDD, 9400M. Loading is slow, major cities aren't that great. But actual play out in zones isn't too bad.

 

[Tyranicus]

Actually I'm telling you the honest truth. No one would seriously buy a computer with gaming as the primary purpose and choose a Mac. That would be foolish.

He said he'd "like to do a little bit of gaming." Does that sound like he's buying it with gaming as the primary focus to you?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

He said he'd "like to do a little bit of gaming." Does that sound like he's buying it with gaming as the primary focus to you?

Gaming is the only use case he mentioned.

Anyway, I don't play WoW but I do own this model of MBP (13" i5 Sandy Bridge). I have played a little TF2 on it and it's not great. I have to lower graphics settings to the very minimum and it still hitches often. It's not a gaming machine. I'm not sure how WoW compares to TF2 graphically, I have never played it.

 

[endlessmike133]

He said he'd only like to do a little bit of gaming; buying a PC is absolutely not necessarily if you're just gonna be playing WoW.

OP, check youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p55VKvxY5Q