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New MacBook with Nvidia 9400M |
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Tealkra Pankhurst
Registered User
Join date: 8 Feb 2006
Posts: 8
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02-20-2009 09:27
Has anyone been using the new MacBook with the Nvidia card? If so, how is it working?
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Missy Malaprop
♥Diaper Girl♥
Join date: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 544
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02-21-2009 21:18
it should run ok.... I have a Macbook Pro, and am often using the 9400M in it instead of the 9600... it runs cooler and is fast enough for standing around emptier places and building... runs nice, and creates less heat.... its a surprisingly good GPU for an integrated chipset one, i was surprised.
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Joseph MacAlpine
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jul 2006
Posts: 69
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02-22-2009 13:02
it should run ok.... I have a Macbook Pro, and am often using the 9400M in it instead of the 9600... it runs cooler and is fast enough for standing around emptier places and building... runs nice, and creates less heat.... its a surprisingly good GPU for an integrated chipset one, i was surprised. with Bootcamp and Vista, the 9400M works much better ![]() |
Toxic Menges
Time Lady
![]() Join date: 4 Jul 2007
Posts: 206
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02-23-2009 11:56
I just got a refurb from the apple store today so far it's running good, if a little warm. In fact I am getting the option to use hardware skinning on it which is something I don't get on the imac 2.4 with a ati 2600 - not that i know what hardware skinning is, but an extra option is good, right?
Using the Kirsten atm, and good fps, and quick rendering. I do turn on multiple threads and fast alpha in the advanced menu as default, however. BTW I would rec. the refurb store highly, was a little trepidous about buying from it, but this machine is a beaut...! _____________________
I'm bumping you to an 8.3. You obviously have a strong sense of self and you are very much in control of your sensual side. You're the kind of girl that guys are willing to beat each other senseless over, just hoping for a few moments of attention from you. Congratulations and shame on you. you are a slut in the very best possible meaning of the word!
Trout Re-Certified |
Danaeah Ballinger
Registered User
Join date: 7 May 2007
Posts: 22
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new macbook
02-23-2009 15:44
I got one at the start of November, and love it. And mind you, as I posted on this board, the previous year I purchased a late 2007 white macbook and returned it because the hack for the Intel 3100 had not been posted and running SL is a pre-requisite for a laptop for me.
Mine runs cool, and actually matches or beats a late 2007 Dell Inspirion with 8600, in a lot of situations. I've tweaked around with the graphics settings and generally run high custom in "ordinary" sims, or Mid custom in crowded/notoriously laggy places like Midsomer or the late-lamented ETD. That's to pretty much keep a 15fps rate when busy or up to 45-50 in my skybox at night. Truth be told I love evertying about it, and believe I've become an Apple convert, though I prolly will get a Pro next time. Danaeah |
Briony McArdle
Registered Neko
Join date: 9 Sep 2006
Posts: 24
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02-23-2009 20:54
I'm running mine, a unibody MBP, and use the 9600 pretty much for everything save for when I know I will be far from any power-source.
I run the CoolViewer, ported to the Mac by Hyang Zhao and find it quite nice. When I know I will be running SL for a long period of time, I make sure I use a lap-desk, the one I bought has a USB-powered fan to supply a bit more cooling. To be honest, I haven't even tried running SL with the 9400 yet. I figure why should I, when the 9600 card works so nicely? |
TriloByte Zanzibar
BlakOpal Designs
![]() Join date: 27 Aug 2008
Posts: 41
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02-24-2009 07:28
My girl has been using the unibody MacBook with the 9400M chip since early November, and absolutely loves it. While it might seem like it's running hot to you, it's far LESS toasty than previous machines (especially the 2007 MacBook Pro's).
Check my tips & tricks thread for some things you can do to optimize SL for your machine. First thing I can think of is to enable the 'run multiple threads' option in the debug menu, which will let SL use both of your processor cores. On her machine as well as my unibody MacBook Pro, it helped reduce system temps. Another tip to give you is to hit the Apple site and look for a Dashboard widget called iStat Pro. Free download, and it tracks the geektastic details of things like your fan speed and the internal temperatures at several different locations. _____________________
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Tealkra Pankhurst
Registered User
Join date: 8 Feb 2006
Posts: 8
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Thanks
03-03-2009 06:46
Great information, thanks to all for sharing. I will go ahead and buy one.
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Adam Marker
new scripter
![]() Join date: 2 Jan 2004
Posts: 104
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03-04-2009 11:47
Danaeah -- do you have a link to the hack for the Intel 3100? I've been running SL on my MacBook Air for the past year. It's ok, but sometimes the slowness gets on my nerves. On the other hand, I love everything else about the laptop, so it balances out.
I've never heard of a hack for the 3100 though -- does that make SL work better? |
Tasja Lundquist
Registered User
Join date: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 2
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03-13-2009 01:20
Hi. I'm really thinking about getting an Apple Macbook with an intergrated nVidia 9400 card inside. I know this has shared memory which freightens me since so many people state you should RUN away from cards like this when running SL. I'm very interested in you're experiences, Macbook pro is just too expensive.
Running SL smouthly is a must when I buy a new laptop. |
Joseph MacAlpine
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jul 2006
Posts: 69
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03-13-2009 06:23
Hi. I'm really thinking about getting an Apple Macbook with an intergrated nVidia 9400 card inside. I know this has shared memory which freightens me since so many people state you should RUN away from cards like this when running SL. I'm very interested in you're experiences, Macbook pro is just too expensive. Running SL smouthly is a must when I buy a new laptop. SL already causes me problems with a MBP, personally I wouldn't dare get a laptop with shared video memory. Do so at your own risk... |
Zak Claxton
SL Live Musician
Join date: 14 Oct 2006
Posts: 121
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03-16-2009 12:26
And I'm still the guy that's had tremendous luck running SL on the vilified 2007 model MBP. I have no explanation as to why my system seems to run better than many others', so I'm obviously the weird one in that regard.
From the anecdotal experience I've read here and elsewhere, the standard MacBook -- even the new one -- is still a risky vehicle for SL. I know the MacBook Pro is expensive, but my experience has been really great with it, across the board (not only in SL, but running many processor-intensive apps in image and video editing). Hope this helped? ![]() _____________________
www.zakclaxton.com
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Danaeah Ballinger
Registered User
Join date: 7 May 2007
Posts: 22
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Hack for 3100
03-19-2009 11:26
Danaeah -- do you have a link to the hack for the Intel 3100? I've been running SL on my MacBook Air for the past year. It's ok, but sometimes the slowness gets on my nerves. On the other hand, I love everything else about the laptop, so it balances out. I've never heard of a hack for the 3100 though -- does that make SL work better? Sorry I did not get back to you sooner, Adam. I don't check this forum too often, and was out of town for a week also. The hack I refer to was a two line fix (to disable object occlusion) that did not optimize anything, but simply made it work, period. When I got mine it would freeze with a beachball after 20-30 sec. Apple genius's could not help. Finally some Intel engineers came up with the fix, ca. Jan 2008, originally for windows machines running the Intel graphics. http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2007/11/29/there-is-a-hack-for-second-life-and-the-intel-965-chipset/ If your mac works now, I imagine it is because LL updated the client. For performance issues, your best bet is to watch other people's comments and suggestions. |
Jerusha Kitty
Registered User
Join date: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 10
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03-20-2009 14:37
I have not been able to run SL for months. I have a 17' Macbook Pro v.10.5.6 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
I get the colored beach ball every 15 to 30 seconds no matter what I am doing. I used to run SL just fine on my Mac. I have the latest SL update too. It runs fine on my Windows XP side using boot camp. I can't be the only Mac person that is dealing with this! |
Tori Liebling
Registered User
Join date: 13 Jul 2008
Posts: 30
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03-23-2009 02:40
Ive tested both the MP and the MBP with SL before I bought my MBP. both run SL ok, but th MB is a bit slower and I got an unsupported video card message (still worked though). his same message comes up when using the lower powered graphics "card" in the MBP as well of course.
To the poster before me, have you tried the release candidate and does that show the same problems? I would try removing SL and its pref files completely clear case etc reboot and do a reinstall of SL. on a "cold boot". I use to get the same problem a year ago on my Mac Pro (desktop) and some updates it would go, some it would come back but the release candidate was always more stable. |
Tasja Lundquist
Registered User
Join date: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 2
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03-23-2009 05:51
Hi Missy Malaprop,
Thanks a lo for you're input (and all others responding on my question). I'm not looking for extreme performance running SL. Medium is more than OK for me. So if the Macbook can run SL in medium quality then I guess for me it's a good buy and a lot cheaper then the MBP |
Jerusha Kitty
Registered User
Join date: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 10
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03-23-2009 09:37
I'm not sure what you mean by the "Release candidate". I have just always updated with the link SL provides when you log in when there is an update. I have a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphic card in my MBP.
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Santa Kwassmann
Registered User
Join date: 3 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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About the Release Candidate
03-25-2009 13:12
I'm not sure what you mean by the "Release candidate". As I understand it, Release Candidates (which are the viewers I use almost exclusively) are basically the testing ground for the newest viewer updates. Linden Labs tries out new features and bug-fixes in RCs (as they are also known) before adding them to the main viewer. In theory, since the RC is testing new stuff, it could easily end up being the less-stable viewer, but, to me, it has often seemed more stable than the main viewer. Plus, of course, it has the latest features available, which sometimes includes a few niceties not yet available in the main viewer. The last few were especially stable for me, with my year-old, 13", graphics-card-less MacBook. The latest one is slightly less stable, but still pretty good. To get it... On the main page for downloading SL viewers, at: http://secondlife.com/support/downloads.php ...note that right under where it says "Test Viewers" (mid-ish left of the page) it offers you the chance to download the latest Release Candidate. Just click on MAC. Hope this helps. -S |
Jerusha Kitty
Registered User
Join date: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 10
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03-26-2009 09:54
Thanks Santa,
I downloaded the release candidate, but unfortunately the same problem with freezes happens about ever 30 seconds, so the Mac client is still unusable. It really is bizarre since I run SL on the Windows side just fine, so it isn't my DSL connection. And I also ran SL just fine on the Mac side until about a year ago. Just figured it was something LL would correct one day. I am OK running SL on Windows. Just doesn't seem right if there are more people than myself with the same problem. Thanks again for your advice. |
Barbarella Fuosing
Registered User
Join date: 1 Oct 2006
Posts: 6
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MacBook Pro woes
03-30-2009 18:21
Hi everyone.. new to this forum and new to MacbookPro,, just got it today.
But I am having serious problems trying to run SL.. I got it with 8 Gig ram.. chose the fastest options you could have, yet on anything above the lowest graphics settings I can barely move. Is there a way to use the Nvidia 9600 in the machine rather than the 9400? would that make any difference? I was hoping to be able to make this my main machine for using SL but at the moment it's agony lol.Anything over the lowest settings I am getting like 5 fps.. I have a 20Mb connection speed and have connected with ethernet.. so it isn't my connection that is a problem. My DT (not a Mac) flies. I am no techy.. I know next to nothing about Macs.. so if anyone can explain anything that may help me in words of one syllable I would be most grateful ![]() Thanks in advance.. signed *desperate* lol √ |
Willow Wendt
Registered User
Join date: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 1
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03-30-2009 21:02
Good luck, Barbarella.
If you have read this thread you know I have had no luck with my MacBook Pro G5, 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Its about the best Mac Laptop as far as I know, as I had the graphic card upgraded when I bought it, to a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT. If you find a solution, let me know so I can try it. |
Briony McArdle
Registered Neko
Join date: 9 Sep 2006
Posts: 24
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03-31-2009 00:23
Hello Barbarella,
Hope you enjoy your new MBP. Mine's been a dream so far. As to your question, just go into "System Preferences..." (from the little apple logo menu) then select "Energy Saver" in the Hardware section. The new MBP's select which graphics card to use based on how you set the Graphics radio button. Better Battery Life uses the 9400 while Better Performance uses the 9600. Just select Better Performance. You will need to logout then back in to make the change. I know, sorta clunky, but that's how it rolls. I might also suggest you give the CoolViewer for Mac, done by Hyang Zao. It is what I use and it is great. http://hyangreflections.blogspot.com/ Hope that buys you some better performance. Enjoy. Hi everyone.. new to this forum and new to MacbookPro,, just got it today. But I am having serious problems trying to run SL.. I got it with 8 Gig ram.. chose the fastest options you could have, yet on anything above the lowest graphics settings I can barely move. Is there a way to use the Nvidia 9600 in the machine rather than the 9400? would that make any difference? |
Alas Aferdita
Registered User
Join date: 23 Sep 2006
Posts: 3
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Mac Mini with 9400M
04-18-2009 16:39
Just got a Mac Mini 2.0mhz 4G ram, 120G HD at 5400rpm. The Nvidia 9400M is a big jump in integrated graphics. SL assigned the machine to "medium" graphic settings, and I get between 15 and 22 fps in that setting. In low, I go as high as 35 fps, in "high" I go down between 12 and 15, and in Ultra it's between 7 and 10 most times. But very playable, things look good, controls are snappy, TP's happen fast . These settings were taken on a Saturday morning, and still there was not much lag.
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