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Using iMac 27" (late 2009-2010) as a monitor for my gaming pc.

JeremyW
By JeremyW
in Displays
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Okay, I am looking for a good monitor for my gaming pc. then I came across people who are willing to let go their old iMac at a very reasonable price so I thought why not buy an iMac which I can use as a Mac + using it as a external monitor for my ps4 + pc gaming.

I have spent the previous 2 hours researching on using iMac as a monitor (Target display mode ) for gaming, Specifically the late 2009 and 2010 models as those are the only ones that I can be used as an external monitor. I found that it is possible to connect ps4 and my pc gaming to iMac (2009 and 2010 27-inch) as an external monitor (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.) 

The other thing is that I'm wondering about response time and the latency and lag and also 60 or 144 hz. Im basically wondering if playing my games on an iMac will be equivalent to play game on other ASUS monitor for example. Anyone has any ideas?

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This is not my area of expertise, but I don't think that's going to work out so well. I get the feeling that the response time, refresh rate, etc, won't be as good as a standalone display for the same price.

 

If you wanted to do it for aesthetic then that'd be one thing, but in terms of quality/dollar, it seems off to me.  

Yes, it's 2871 as in the year 2871. I traveled all this way, back in time, just to help you. And you thought your mama lied when she said you were special. -_-

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Well you laptop monitor already has a set resolution and refresh rate. I've never heard of anyone using a laptop as a screen alone, but i've also had no experience with macs. It's all the same hardware so I would assume no but I couldn't tell you for sure

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A 1080p IPS monitor will perform better and still look great for about the same price- assuming you're looking at $100 or so. I wouldn't pay a penny more for a 2009 iMac.

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-s2316m-23-ips-led-hd-monitor-black/4443601.p?skuId=4443601&ref=199&loc=8BacdVP0GFs&acampID=1&siteID=8BacdVP0GFs-FXJgFci5Bi266u2yVE.Jpg

 

And instead of getting an ancient Mac to use as a Mac, see if you can partition your Windows drive and do a Hackintosh install, or better still, just buy an SSD and put Hackintosh on that. Voila- a more elegant solution than a 7-year-old iMac.

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1 hour ago, JeremyW said:

Okay, I am looking for a good monitor for my gaming pc. then I came across people who are willing to let go their old iMac at a very reasonable price so I thought why not buy an iMac which I can use as a Mac + using it as a external monitor for my ps4 + pc gaming.

I have spent the previous 2 hours researching on using iMac as a monitor (Target display mode ) for gaming, Specifically the late 2009 and 2010 models as those are the only ones that I can be used as an external monitor. I found that it is possible to connect ps4 and my pc gaming to iMac (2009 and 2010 27-inch) as an external monitor (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.) 

The other thing is that I'm wondering about response time and the latency and lag and also 60 or 144 hz. Im basically wondering if playing my games on an iMac will be equivalent to play game on other ASUS monitor for example. Anyone has any ideas?

As far as I know, Target display mode can only be used with other Mac computers. You may want to check on that.

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