Dentrassi BBQ Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Background: i'm in preliminary steps of putting together a shopping list for my new desktop. I've used genuine Apple hardware until now, but a PowerMac is too spendy and neither the Mini or the iMac interests me. My current system is a G5, but that's obviously not getting updates any more... I'm struggling to find components with a high degree of compatibility that will also run comparatively cool and quiet. In that vein, i'd like to ditch the discrete GPU in favor of integrated graphics - that'll save me 50 watts and their associated heat. My graphics needs are relatively modest, the most demanding game we have here is "Plants vs. Zombies". So i've been looking at an i5-2400 processor with HD2000 graphics. However, searching the forums seems to turn up lots of compatibility issues with that. Is it still problematic today? I'd kind of prefer sticking with SL, as that's what i already run on my MBP. Other choices could be: 1) the i5-2405S with a slower CPU but HD3000, or 2) getting a low-impact GPU. What do you folks suggest? Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dentrassi BBQ Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Am i giving too much information, or too little? Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLR Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 HD3000 works for some people, and you can use a fanless Nvidia 8400GS if you're looking for cheap and silent card. Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745371 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dentrassi BBQ Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 1) So basically the HD2000 is not worth pursuing? 2) For the HD3000 don't i need to step up to Lion? Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nIGHTLite Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 ATI HD 5450 is perfect for you. Reasons - 1. low profile card with no fan 2. uses only 19-20 watts of power! 3. Works natively with ati 5000 kext from lion - even on snow leopard (i am using 10.6.8 right now) 4. I got it for ~20 bucks after Mail in rebate! man this thing is much better than an intel. trust me. you wont regret it and it fits your needs perfectly. if you have any questions, please feel free to pm me. I had a nvidia card before and it was a hassle. I just switched and shocked beyond belief at how easily this card is compatible with snow leopard. No GraphicsEnabler needed or anything either. just drop the kext, repair permissions and you're done. edit: dual screens work with this card too. Definitely get this as apple themselves made the kext! Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLR Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 What 5450 model do you have? Does it has Hyper Memory? A link to the product page would be great, thanks in advance) Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nIGHTLite Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 What 5450 model do you have? Does it has Hyper Memory?A link to the product page would be great, thanks in advance) This is what I bought yesterday- http://ncix.com/products/?sku=49822&vp...mp;promoid=1370 Yes, it does have Hyper Memory..at least that's what it says on the box. Don't know if that's useful for Mac though. Also, any HD 5450 vendor will do... Quote Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/266388-is-intel-hd-graphics-worth-it/#findComment-1745531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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