Dolphin on a Mac Mini?

[Uplift]

Hey, i've only just stumbled across Dolphin, simply amazing! I ran Resident Evil (GC) on my Retina Macbook pro and the graphics were stunning (x2), better than some modern games... it ran perfect on my machine as well.

So it got me thinking, i have an old Mac Mini collecting dust, is it worth me trying to run Dolphin on it, the specs are:

Intel Core i5 "Sandy Bridge" 2415m
8GB DDR3 Ram
Intel HD Graphics 3000

I know HD 3000 is nothing special, which is why i'm asking... the Mini needs an OS installing on it and i dont want to waste my time if it's going to be rubbish, if it's worthy, i'm wondering whats the best setup, is OSX sufficient (preferred) or should i go with Windows?

I'll mainly be playing Gamecube games to be honest but wouldn't mind the odd Wii game.

If it's no good, all is not lost i can just hook up the rMBP to TV with HDMI, but it would be much better to have a dedicated box for this, i looked at upgrades on Apples site but the best they offer is HD 4000.

Thoughts?

[ExtremeDude2]

The Intel 3000 HD is garbage

[Verix]

Your rMBP will have better performance, better just hook it up to the TV.
The mac mini would be able to play some GC games with like 1-1.5 internal resolution (better at 3.5, newer builds more demanding).
Most Wii games beside some light ones like New Super Mario Bros will have a hard time I believe.

[pauldacheez]

My MacBook Air has a better CPU than your Mac mini and it's still absolutely worthless for Dolphin, regardless of OS. Use the rMBP.

[Uplift]

(09-02-2013, 05:14 AM)pauldacheez Wrote: My MacBook Air has a better CPU than your Mac mini and it's still absolutely worthless for Dolphin, regardless of OS. Use the rMBP.

Ahh thats not what i wanted to hear. I'm now considering selling it, seems pointless having limited hardware, i've been looking for a suitable non Apple replacement but yet to find something nice and small to fit under my TV.

[admin89]

Quote:My MacBook Air has a better CPU than your Mac mini

Actually , his CPU is faster and better
i5 2415M is a normal i5 (Stock : 2.3 GHz . Turbo : 2.6GHz 2 cores active , 2.9GHz 1 core active)
i5 2557M is ultra low voltage i5 (Stock : 1.7GHz . Turbo : 2.4 GHz 2 cores active , 2.7GHz 1 core active)
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2557M-Notebook-Processor.56822.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2415M-Notebook-Processor.49627.0.html

Keep using lowest settings and Dolphin 3.5 Stable version . Some GC are playable

[pauldacheez]

I guess bigger number ≠ better CPU. :<

[NaturalViolence]

Still too slow. Get a better non-apple system or give up.

[pauldacheez]

...Wait, hang on. I'm pretty sure my 2557M still turbos up to 2.6 GHz on two cores, at least under Linux where I have powertop to measure it. Wouldn't it be equal?