Accelerate Your Mac! - iMac DV SE Review

Update: See my Full Review of the iMac DV SE (apps/game tests page) for more detailed and updated game performance including image quality samples and OpenGL 1.1.2/new ATI driver test results.

Introduction: First I want to say that I'm extremely pleased with the improvements Apple has made in the new iMac models. Literally every aspect of the original design has been improved. The new models feature faster CPUs, graphics chip (Rage128 VR w/8MB), larger hard drives, better audio/speakers and have new features like Firewire (DV models only) and easier access to RAM slots which now take standard PC100 SDRAM rather than the SODIMM 66MHz modules previously used.

I'll cover all the new features later in a complete review of the new DV SE model but wanted to answer the many readers that have asked for game performance with the new model. Previous iMacs used an ATI RageIIc (rev A iMac) or RagePro (rev B and later models up to the 333MHz version) which didn't have the horsepower to run the latest 3D games well. As expected, the new Rage128 VR chip (AGP 2x version) with 8MB video ram offers much improved game performance. The new models have more standard RAM as well (64MB), with the top of the line DV SE model having 128MB standard.

For 3D gaming, I'd suggest 128MB installed RAM as a minimum and Virtual Memory will still be needed for many of the latest games that have 90MB or more preferred memory allocations. (Remember the game, OS and OpenGL all need RAM). I intend to install another 64MB dimm in this iMac but wanted to test the system as shipped (128MB, VM on).

In some cases the 8MB (fixed) video ram was a handicap, but considering most owners will be running 800x600 resolution (due to the monitor's size) this was not a major issue, especially when considering the target market of the iMac. As a note to those that don't regularly read the front page news or my FAQ the video in the new iMacs is not upgradeable. The AGP Rage128 VR chip is not on standard AGP card and there are no signs the video RAM is upgradeable either. I mention this for reference only, as most owners will be more than pleased with the new iMacs.

System Configuration Tested:

Stock iMac DV Special Edition (Graphite)
400MHz G3 CPU with 512KB backside cache at 2.5:1
Rage128 VR AGP 2x video chip w/8MB SDRAM
ATI drivers as shipped with the system
OpenGL 1.1.1 (preinstalled)
13GB Hard Drive
128MB RAM
Virtual Memory ON (recommended as noted below)
OS 8.6
QT 4.0, QD3D 1.6 (preinstalled)
Default extension set and disk cache

How I tested: I ran my usual array of game demo framerate tests with game settings the same as I use for all my video card and other tests. For Unreal I used my high quality ini file and the same Quake, etc. game settings noted on the FPS database entry page. As I note in the recommendations at the end of this article, I highly recommend 128MB or more of installed RAM in any 3D game machine. Some of the games here still required Virtual Memory to be enabled to be playable even with 128MB of RAM.

I've included information from other iMac owners for comparison (from reader submissions). Also for comparison is a standard Rage128 Orion PCI card installed in a B&W G3/400 (1MB backside cache) running in the 66MHz PCI slot (since the AGP 2x design of the iMac also runs at this speed).

Game Performance Results: All scores in the tables below are in frames per second (higher is better). For Unreal the score is the 3rd cycle (loop) of the Castle flyby timedemo. In some cases I don't have RageII/RagePro iMac scores,

Image Quality Notes: Until I can provide screenshots as part of the full review, here are some summaries on image quality by game title:

Of course reducing game settings can help with higher resolution modes performance (disabling Q3test options like 'ejecting brass', 'marks on walls', etc.) but in many of these games 640x480 is still a more responsive mode (especially important for network play). Due to the 8MB vram limit, I don't recommend 1024x768 mode, at least in OpenGL games.

About RAM: Performance may have improved a bit with Virtual Memory off - however even with 128MB of installed RAM, many games were unplayable with VM disabled (remember many games now want 70MB to 100MB of RAM and the system uses 20+MB, and OpenGL needs available RAM as well).

I highly recommend iMac gamers with 64MB or less of RAM to add more memory. The difference can be dramatic (as with any Mac running demanding applications).

Summary: Overall I was very pleased with game performance and it's dramatically improved compared to standard iMacs of the past. Although I wish there was a 16MB vram upgrade option, I still think the iMac is a well rounded machine overall, with all games playable at least at 640x480 even in 32bit mode. Since the demise of the mezzanine slot in rev C and later iMacs, the ability to play the latest games like Quake2 and Q3test smoothly has not been possible. Thanks to the improvements in the new models, iMac owners will be able to enjoy the latest games for the Mac.