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Intel Mac mini (#2): Relatively poor performance from Intel GMA950 chipset
Yesterday's introduction of the Intel-based Mac mini also marked the first time Apple has chosen to use an integrated graphics chipset in a modern Mac.
As discussed in our report yesterday, the Mac mini uses the integrated Intel GMA950 graphics processor. This means that the Intel Mac mini shares RAM between the system and the graphics processor, potentially representing a step down in graphics performance (and potentially overall system performance) from the PowerPC-based Mac minis.
Apple also indicates the GMA950 requires 80MB of system memory at a base level, leaving 432MB available to the system on a stock configuration. Since 512 MB of RAM has traditionally been the "sweet spot" for Mac OS X -- where performance is noticeably better than with any amount less -- this could pose overall system speed issues.
ExtremeTech has a review of the Intel GMA950 from mid-2005, comparing it to the XFX GeForce 6800TC, and reporting poor performance from the former:
"To put it mildly, it's no contest. To put it more bluntly, it's a complete and total rout for the GMA950, with the possible exception of the CPU-intensive Flight Simulator 2004. Even then, what you get is playable frame rates, but the GeForce 6800TC still crushes the GMA950. The verdict is even worse when you realize the GMA950 wouldn't even run Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory or Painkiller, even though the specs of the GPU suggests they should. Intel has acknowledged a driver bug with regards to Chaos Theory. But if this is any indication of the potential compatibility issues users may encounter, running games on the new core is a dubious prospect
"We can state flatly that if you buy a system using Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics and want to play 3D games, invest at least $60 in an add-on card. If what you want is simply a system that can run standard office software, plus maybe play some DVD movies, then Intel's new graphics core is probably suitable."
Unfortunately, switching out the graphics card for a third-party, dedicated video device does not appear to be an option for the Mac mini.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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If anyone actually bothers to read the specs of the Intel graphics chip you
would discover that it is designed for HD video playback performance,
supporting two simultaneous streams, and res. up to 1080p.
The Mac mini is not a low-end Mac for college students who want to play
video games instead of studying - it is morphing into a digital entertainment
hub. Notice how a lot of emphasis was placed on the mini acting as a media
player connected to a TV (HD) or even Apple HD dislay in the press
conference?
I'm with you. A Media Center (including HDTV playback) is where this all seems to be heading. Gaming is best left to dedicated boxes or PCs.
I remember reading a report that the Intel iMacs can playback 1080p w/o dropping frames (when using a Universal player). I was under the impression that the majority of the decoding was done by the CPU. So if the new Minis can leverage the graphics chip even just a little bit, that would be a bonus.
of the achetecture in the mini's case is quite different than your garden variety
PC. Also, the Mac OS is a factor.
The side-by-side reviews will really tell the tale.
"There is more to video than cards and chips"?
Really? I bought an ATi X800 for my PC just so I could play Half Life 2. At least I
had that option on the PC side. Apple only lets you swap video cards on Towers.
This mini Mac is disappointment. Shared video is the stuff of bargain basement
PC's, and even they give you the option of upgrading.
Apple only lets you swap video cards on Towers.
This mini Mac is disappointment. Shared video is the stuff of bargain
basement
PC's, and even they give you the option of upgrading.
Yeah some of them do let you "upgrade" if you consider a PCI graphics card
an upgrade as thats all that most of these cheap integrated pc's have. Forget
about adding an AGP or a PCIe card. And I don't know of too many PCI
graphics cards that are going to significantly out power the integrated
GMA950.
You also have to remember the target consumer for these minis and the
iMacs. They are not power user systems. If you want upgradability and
power spend your money on a Mac tower system.
Sheishk
No, it's not just the (lame) GPU, it's that shared memory architecture.
Apple cheaped out with the all Intel, integrated "solution". And that's a shame,
because in every other respect it's a good box.
What bothers me even more are the arrogant and condescending attitudes I've
read that state the "entry-level" people won't care or that we should accept it
since it's "only" a $500 box.
What bothers me even more are the arrogant and condescending
attitudes I've read that state the "entry-level" people won't care or that we
should accept it
since it's "only" a $500 box.
Give me a break. Did you ever think that the reason Apple chose the
integrated intel route is so they could still offer a somewhat cheap Mac? No
one says you have to accept it. Wait for the intel tower systems to come out
and buy one of those. Or spend another $1000 and buy a loaded iMac.
It does no good to whine about integrated this and sucky this on a computer
that was not meant to be a real speed demon. That's why there are different
Mac models, so you can choose the power and flexibility that you need. Move
on then if you don't like it.
in order to accommodate the greater heat of the Core Duo processor and the
extra RAM capacity. Certainly the price issue is relevant, too. Whatever video
card it used, the mini was never going to be a gamer's dream. Serious gamers
go for the heavy iron.
As for being a student machine, the WiFi and Bluetooth are both useful to
students, who will want to easily hook up to the wireless networks which are
becoming ubiquitous on college campuses and sync with their PDAs
and cell phones. Game play aside, the Intel Mac mini may be a little less
appealing to entry level users, but I don't think it's lost whatever appeal it
may have had for students. The Core Duo processor and 2 GB RAM capacity
are significant improvements. While the mini may now be missing the sweet
spot on price, the improvements do justify the higher cost. With the WiFi
and Bluetooth now standard on the mini, they are uniformly included across
Apple's product line.
And, given the frantic pace of big screen TV sales, I doubt Apple is missing a
bet moving the mini toward entertainment center integration.
---
Don't anthropomorphize computers.
They hate that.
I was tempted by the Mini when it was announced, since I had a monitor to spare, but it cannot be justified for the price.
- by March 7, 2006 6:45 AM PST
- One thing to keep in mind is that, 3D full-screen games excepted, the way the
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(11 Comments)Mac's Window Manager (over Quartz) renders everything is quite different from
the way current Windows releases do it. In fact, I believe that with very complex
or crowded desktops shared memory might actually prove more
efficient, as long as you have enough RAM for the rest of the system.