Macbook Air (2010): Can it run at least GC games already?

[augure]

Hi.

Because of my small wallet, I currently don't have anything but a Macbook Air from 2010 (1.86Ghz Core 2 Duo, Geforce 320M, 4GB DDR3) which I heard as powerful as the MBA 2011 and not far from the MBA 2012, so it doesn't change much.

I never plan on making Wii game work on it as I know it's pretty fairly recent and Macbook sucks for gaming.
But the Gamecube? It was release in EFFIN 2001 and my Macbook Air is FROM 2010 and I can't even make a single game run appropriately ?

Come on, I have the last Dolphin build, ripped lots of my own games but none of them, whether Mario Sunshine, Wind Wake, F-Zero GX or even Crazy Taxi seem to be able to run EVEN with everything on low settings. In fact is are my complete graphic/audio settings:

Audio
- DSP HLE emulation (fast)
- Backend: CoreAudio
- Nothing else checked

Graphics
General Option
- Enable Dual Core
- Enable Idle Skipping
- No Limit by FPS (doesn't change anything when I check it)
- JIT Recompiler (recommended)
General graphics
- Backend: OpenGL
- Resolution: 640x480
- Aspect Ratio: Auto
- V-Sync & Full screen: unchecked
- Other: Show FPS checked, everything else is unchecked
Enhancement
- Internal Resolution: 1x Native (640x528)
- AA: None
- AF: 1x
- Post-Processing Effect: Off
- Everything else is unchecked
Hacks
- Skip EFB access from CPU: checked
- Ignore Format Change checked by default
- EFB Copies: disabled
- Accuracy: fast
- External Frame Buffer: disabled
- Other: everything unchecked (teste everything with F-Zero, it didn't change much)
Advanced
- Everything is unchecked

Of course I tried to tweak this and that but it didn't change anything: all games give me from 30 to 45% of speed when playing, which is unplayable, even though everything is set to minimum.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? Is a 2010 PC and graphic card with a native 64-bit emulator not even able to play a Gamecube game which was released in 2001 ???

Please help.

[admin89]

Quote:1.82Ghz Core 2 Duo

is horrible
Minimum CPU requirement for most GC games (not include demanding games) : Core i3 @ 2.5GHz

Quote:Nvidia 320M

is weak . Stick with lowest settings

Quote:Is a 2010 PC and graphic card with a native 64-bit emulator not even able to play a Gamecube game

Even in 2010 , your laptop was listed as low-end laptop (High-end laptop 2009 used Core 2 Duo P9700@ 2.8GHz )
http://dolphin-emu.org/docs/faq/#what-cpu-do-i-need-emulate-games-dolphin

[noah]

(02-17-2013, 11:55 AM)augure Wrote: But the Gamecube? It was release in EFFIN 2001 and my Macbook Air is FROM 2010 and I can't even make a single game run appropriately

If you went through Dolphin's website you should have read that it takes a large amount of CPU performance to emulate a GameCube game. While they are old, it takes a lot of power to play them on a virtual GameCube that has to replicate the original CPU and GPU of the GameCube. For instance, there is a game you may or may not of heard of (I hope you have) called Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2. Your MacBook could easily run that game at full speed on the PC version. If you tried playing it on Dolphin, you would get servere slowdowns and a permanent low frame rate. If you want the full reason why this is how it is, go to this link: http://dolphin-emu.org/docs/faq/%23what-cpu-do-i-need-emulate-games-dolphin#why-do-i-need-such-powerful-computer-emulate-old-c

[augure]

So, even today's Macbook Air (1.8Ghz i5, Intel HD4000, 4GB Ram) can't even play a GC game ?

I can accept that it's not great for gaming, at all, but emulating Gamecube games from 2001 should still be possible in the least settings?

So I was wondering if rather than just blaming the hardware (I know it's not powerful or won't run Battlefield or even Wii games, but Gamecube games?) there was some mistakes or things I did wrong with the settings to at least be able to play it decently.

[noah]

(02-17-2013, 12:53 PM)augure Wrote: So, even today's Macbook Air (1.8Ghz i5, Intel HD4000, 4GB Ram) can't even play a GC game
I can accept that it's not great for gaming, at all, but emulating Gamecube games from 2001 should still be possible in the least settings?

I just added the link. Read it.

(02-17-2013, 12:53 PM)augure Wrote: So I was wondering if rather than just blaming the hardware (I know it's not powerful or won't run Battlefield or even Wii games, but Gamecube games?) there was some mistakes or things I did wrong with the settings to at least be able to play it decently.

You didn't do anything wrong, you're settings are as low as low can be. Your CPU just isn't good enough to emulate GameCube games. I recommend playing DeSmuME, Mupen64, and other emulators for different systems (except PS2) to have fun gaming and make the most of your MacBook. If you want to get the emulators go to http://www.emulator-zone.com/

[admin89]

MacBook Air / Ultrabook + Dolphin = overheating
i5 3427U @ 1.8GHz with turbo boost 2.6GHz (2 cores active) is ultra low voltage CPU (low-end CPU). It's a bit slower than i3 380M @ 2.5GHz
If you keep the laptop run cool enough to enable turbo boost 2.6GHz , most GC games will be playable (Of course , demanding games such as F Zero , Pokémon XD , Metroid ...are out of the question)
Don't compare emulation to PC games , those 2 are completely different .
BTw , there are many GC games which are even more demanding than Wii games

[augure]

Thank you both for you answers.

Yeah I kind of figured that, no matter what, my Macbook Air was too bad for gaming, knowing that even current Pro (GPU-less ones ie. all but the overpriced 15" Retina) or iMacs 21" are not up to basic PC rigs.

I think I'll just buy a regular desktop PC to play Dolphin/PCS2X correctly.