Can The Late 2009 27 Inch I Mac Run Games
And as for the Late 2009 iMac, it might be considered vintage, but it is still compatible with macOS Sierra so you will have access to the latest Mac operating system. Upgrades Made Easy Upgrading the hard drive or memory in your iMac is a great way to boost its performance and extend its lifespan. Mar 10, 2016 Question: Q: What version of Mac OS X i can install on 27-inch iMac 11,1 late 2009 More Less Apple Footer This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only.
Aluminum iMac Q&A - Published December 6, 2009
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it. Thank you.
27 Inch Imac I7
How does the gaming performance of the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models compare to earlier Aluminum iMac models? How much faster are the graphics?
Please note that all Macs mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The 'Late 2009' iMac models were replaced by the 'Mid-2010' models on July 27, 2010.
Apple formally reports that the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models with ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics -- the higher-end MC413LL/A configuration of the iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 21.5-Inch (Late 2009) and the iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 27-Inch (Late 2009) -- are 4.4 times faster running Doom 3 and 2 times faster running Call of Duty 4 than systems equipped with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (which includes the entry-level iMac 'Core 2 Duo' 3.06 21.5-Inch (Late 2009) and some previous models).
In turn, Apple reports that the high-end iMac 'Core i5' 2.66 27-Inch (Late 2009) with its stock ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor is 1.8 times and 1.5 times faster in Doom 3 and Call of Duty 4, respectively, than the 'Late 2009' systems configured with ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics.
A variety of third-party reviewers also enjoyed putting the 'Late 2009' iMac models to the test in a variety of gaming challenges.
As part of a longer review, Electronista reported:
We tested gaming both in Mac OS X and in Boot Camp with Windows 7 -- which, as much as some Mac users may dislike to admit, is the most likely gaming environment on the new iMac. Here, the Core i5 along with the Radeon HD 4850 (actually a Mobility Radeon part) results in an iMac that can actually participate in reasonably high-end gaming. Titles like Heroes of Newerth and Left 4 Dead still have a modern level of detail but can run at the system's full 2560x1440 resolution, above 30 frames per second, without having to significantly lower settings outside of antialiasing. Other games like Crysis have to run at lower resolutions like 1600x900 but can still run with all but extreme details left turned on.
BareFeats -- always a must read source for Mac gaming benchmarks -- tested the 'Late 2009' iMac models as well as some 'Early 2009' and Mac Pro systems in a variety of games running at 1920x1200 and 2560x1440, and concluded:
The iMac Core i7 (quad-core) with the same Radeon HD 4850 as the Core i5 is not any faster when doing 3D graphics intensive functions at max quality and max resolution. . . If you are trying to decide which of the two quad-core iMacs to choose for 3D gaming or other 3D graphics intensive tasks, either one will do the job.
Site sponsor Other World Computingtested all of the 'Late 2009' iMac models running Halo -- with the stock 4 GB of RAM as well as more memory -- and you may wish to review these results as well.
The game gives you a feel of being inside a comic book, which is great for role-playing. What are the best mac games on steam. With a user-base of more than 50 Million, you will love its online battles too. Shakes and FidgetIf you are looking for a fun-filled, fantasy RPG, Shakes and Fidget should be your first stop. You are going to love the enhanced graphics and the big user-base that Dota 2 boasts.System Requirements: Intel Dual Core, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 320M, Radeon HD 2400 or Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15GB Storage space2. Even when we keep the humor aside, the game offers a bunch of options like customizable characters, thousands of collectibles and hundreds of quests you can achieve.
Ultimately, the 'Late 2009' iMac models equipped with ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics provide entirely respectable results in gaming tests and are likely to make plenty of gamers happy. As always, extremely 'hardcore' gamers no doubt will prefer to continue to build their own gaming boxen or fire up a dedicated console player.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Aluminum iMac models free of sales tax outside of NY and NJ and with free shipping for all. Site sponsor Evertek sells used Aluminum iMac models at bargain prices to individuals and ships bulk orders at wholesale prices worldwide. Finally, if you need to sell an iMac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older iMac with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Apple-Bay also has some used Aluminum iMac models, all verified and refurbished by an in-house Apple Certified Mac Technician and sold with a one-year warranty and free delivery in the mainland UK.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used Aluminum iMac models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Also see:
- How much faster are the high-end Core i5/Core i7-powered 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models than the Core 2 Duo powered models? How much faster are these models than the 'Early 2009' models replaced?
- How does the performance of the high-end Core i5/Core i7-powered 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac compare to the entry-level 'Early 2009/Nehalem' Mac Pro? Is there still a reason to consider a Mac Pro over an iMac?
Permalink E-mail a Friend Bookmark & Share Report an Error/Typo
Suggest a New Q&A Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices
<< Aluminum iMac Q&A (Main)
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated. Nancy drew games torrent mac free.
Apple iMac 27-Inch 'Core i5' 2.66 (Late 2009) Specs
Identifiers: Late 2009 - MB953LL/A - iMac11,1 - A1312 - 2374
All iMac 27-Inch Models All 2009 Models Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others
Distribute This Page: Bookmark & Share Download: PDF Manual
The iMac 'Core i5' 2.66 27-Inch Aluminum (Late 2009) is powered by a 2.66 GHz Quad Core Intel 'Core i5' I5-750 (Lynnfield/Nehalem) processor with a dedicated 256k level 2 cache for each core and an 8 MB shared level 3 cache.
By default, it is configured with 4 GB of RAM (1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM), a 1 TB (7200 RPM) hard drive, a vertically-mounted slot-loading DVD±R DL 'SuperDrive', and ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory.
It also has a built-in iSight video camera and built-in stereo speakers underneath the 27' glossy 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCD (2560x1440 native) display 'with IPS technology'.
Connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire '800' port, built-in AirPort Extreme, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as a Mini DisplayPort, which supports an external display up to 30' (2560x1600). This model also 'supports input from external DisplayPort sources' with adapters, so it can be used as an external display for DisplayPort-equipped devices as well as a computer.
The 'Late 2009' iMac line looks similar to earlier Aluminum iMac models but have an 'edge-to-edge' glass design and a 'seamless all aluminum enclosure' (previous aluminum models have a modest aluminum border around the display and a plastic back).
Externally, the displays are enhanced with LED-backlighting and 'IPS technology' for improved quality, and internally, each has four RAM slots supporting up to 16 GB of RAM (rather than two slots and 8 GB of RAM for earlier models). All 'Late 2009' models also include an SD Card slot and redesigned speakers that promise 'louder, clearer sound with better bass response and less distortion'.
The 'Late 2009' iMac models shipped with a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and a new multi-touch 'Magic Mouse' where the 'entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface' that allows one to 'navigate using intuitive finger gestures'. A new aluminum remote was offered for an additional US$19 as well.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models?
- How do the 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models compare to the 'Early 2009' models that preceded them?
Buy This Mac at site sponsor Evertek. Huge selection, bulk discounts, global shipping.
Custom Configure This Mac at site sponsor OWC. Click for current options.
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor OWC. SSDs, expansion boxes & more.
Sell This Mac at A+ BBB rated site sponsor Cash For Your Mac. Quick quote!
- Tech Specs
- Ports
- Global Original Prices
- Popular Q&As
Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is 'open' by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.
| Introduction Date: | October 20, 2009 | Discontinued Date: | July 27, 2010 |
| Details: | The 'Introduction Date' refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The 'Discontinued Date' refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2009. |
| Details: | Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort. |
| Details: | Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac11,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac11,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac11,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the iMac11,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Processor Speed: | 2.66 GHz | Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-750) |
| Details: | This model is powered by a 45 nm, 64-bit 'Lynnfield/Nehalem' Intel 'Core i5' processor with quad cores -- four independent processor cores on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 8 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel). It also supports 'Turbo Boost' -- which 'automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload' (so if an application is only using one of the four cores it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores). It does not support Hyper Threading. Also see: How much faster are the high-end Core i5/Core i7-powered 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models than the Core 2 Duo powered models? How much faster are these models than the 'Early 2009' models replaced? |
| Turbo Boost: | 3.2 GHz | Custom Speeds: | 2.8 GHz (Core i7) |
| Details: | This model additionally could be configured with a 2.8 GHz 'Core i7' processor (I7-860) for an extra US$200. The 'Core i7' processor does support Hyper Threading. As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. |
| Processor Upgrade: | LGA 1156 (Socket H) | FPU: | Integrated |
| Details: | This model's processor uses an LGA 1156 Socket H. Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Aluminum iMac models? |
| System Bus Speed: | 2.5 GT/s* | Cache Bus Speed: | 2.66 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: | *This system has a 'Direct Media Interface' (DMI) that 'connects between the processor and chipset' in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 2.5 GT/s. |
| Details: | N/A |
| Details: | Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 8 MB of shared level 3 cache. |
| Details: | Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin). Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in this Aluminum iMac model? How much RAM does it actually support? |
| Details: | By default, 4 GB of RAM was installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free. *Officially, this model supports a maximum of 16 GB of RAM. However, as carefully confirmed by Other World Computing, this model can support up to 32 GB of RAM if it is running Mac OS X 10.6.3 'Snow Leopard' or higher in 64-bit mode and has been updated to use the latest EFI version. It is limited to 16 GB of RAM in 32-bit mode. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this iMac. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells RAM and other upgrades for this iMac. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells memory and other upgrades for this iMac. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Details: | This model supports four 4 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory. |
| Details: | This model has an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory. Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Is it upgradable? |
| Details: | 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory. |
| Built-in Display: | 27' 16:9 Widescreen | Native Resolution: | 2560x1440 |
| Details: | This model has a 27' glossy LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with 'IPS technology' and a native resolution of 2560x1440. Apple also reports a 'typical' brightness of 375 cd/m2, and viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontal and 178 degrees vertical. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 and the PPI is 109. Also see: How does the display quality of the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Late 2009' Aluminum iMac models compare to previous Aluminum iMac models? |
| 2nd Display Support: | Dual/Mirroring | 2nd Max. Resolution: | 2560x1600 |
| Details: | Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600). |
| Standard Storage: | 1 TB HDD | Std. Storage Speed: | 7200 RPM |
| Details: | This model also could be equipped with a 2 TB hard drive for an additional US$250. Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Aluminum iMac models? What type of hard drive do they support? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells SSDs and other upgrades for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells storage upgrades for this iMac. In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells storage upgrades for this iMac. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Storage Dimensions: | 3.5' (26.10 mm) | Storage Interface: | Serial ATA (3 Gb/s) |
| Details: | This model holds a single 3.5' SATA II (3 Gb/s) hard drive or SSD. |
| Standard Optical: | 8X DL 'SuperDrive' | Standard Disk: | None |
| Details: | Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X 'SuperDrive' with 4X double-layer burning (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) 'writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW at up to 6x and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed.' Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a 'Data Doubler' mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this iMac. |
| Standard Modem: | None | Standard Ethernet: | 10/100/1000Base-T |
| Standard AirPort: | 802.11a/b/g/n | Standard Bluetooth: | 2.1+EDR |
| Details: | AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| Details: | Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire '800' port (7 watts). |
| Details: | In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this iMac. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, keyboards, security products, and more for this iMac. |
| Incl. Keyboard: | Apple Wireless Keyboard | Incl. Input: | Magic Mouse |
| Details: | This model shipped with a small aluminum 'ultrathin, compact wireless keyboard' (no numeric keypad) and a new wireless 'Magic Mouse', where the 'entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface' that allows one to 'navigate using intuitive finger gestures'. Also see: How does the 'ultra thin' keyboard provided with the 'Aluminum' iMac models compare to a more traditional desktop keyboard? How does it feel? |
| Details: | The cases used by the 'Late 2009' iMac models look similar to the one used by previous 'Aluminum' models, but the 'Late 2009' design has 'edge-to-edge glass' for the display and a 'seamless all aluminum enclosure' (the earlier models had a plastic back). |
| Details: | The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Details: | Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1312 Model Number, the 2374 EMC Number, and the iMac11,1 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Details: | N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: | X 10.6.2 (10C2234) | Maximum MacOS: | X 10.13.x* |
| Details: | *This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 'Mountain Lion,' OS X 10.9 'Mavericks,' and OS X 10.10 'Yosemite' except for Power Nap and AirPlay Mirroring functionality (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or later). It also supports the last version of OS X 10.11 'El Capitan' -- including Mac-to-Mac AirDrop capability -- but no other advanced features are supported like Metal graphics acceleration. It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) as well, although it does not support the Universal Clipboard, Auto Unlock, or Apple Pay features. Finally, this model is capable of running macOS High Sierra (10.13), and it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. It is not compatible with macOS Mojave (10.14) or later versions of the operating system. Additionally, please note that OS X 'Lion' 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the 'Rosetta' environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support HEVC? |
| Minimum Windows: | XP SP2 (32-Bit)* | Maximum Windows: | 7 (64-Bit)* |
| Details: | *Apple's Boot Camp 4 supports the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 on this model. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of this operating system with appropriate drivers. |
| MacOS 9 Support: | None | Windows Support: | Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: | Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications. For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: | 20.4 x 25.6 x 8.15 | Avg. Weight: | 30.5 lbs. (13.8 kg) |
| Details: | In inches - height by width by depth, (51.7 cm, 65.0 cm, 20.7 cm). |
| Original Price (US): | US$1999 | Est. Current Retail: | US$450-US$600 |
| Details: | Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated). Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is 'open' by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.
| Video (Monitor): | 1* (Mini DisplayPort w/ Audio) | Floppy (Ext.): | None |
| Details: | Supports external display in dual display and mirroring modes. Mini DisplayPort also supports DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI with optional adapters. The 27-Inch models also accept 'input from external DisplayPort sources' with an adapter, so it is possible to use these models as an external display for a DisplayPort-equipped Mac or Blu-ray player, for example. *Note that unlike earlier iMac models, the Mini DisplayPort on this system passes audio signals as well as video. |
| Details: | N/A |
| Details: | N/A |
| Details: | Four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire '800' port (7 watts). |
| Details: | No internal modem. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. |
| Details: | N/A |
| Details: | Combined 'audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack).' |
| Details: | Single shared 'headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)'. |
| Details: | N/A |
| Details: | 100V-240V, 241W maximum for 21.5-Inch models, 365W maximum for 27-Inch models. |
Global original prices for the iMac 27-Inch 'Core i5' 2.66 (Late 2009) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
| Mexico: | N/A | United States: | US$1999 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Denmark: | DKK 13,799 | Finland: | €1799 |
| Ireland: | €1799 | Italy: | €1799 |
| Norway: | NOK 15.490 | Portugal: | €1799 |
| Switzerland: | CHF 2'399 | United Kingdom: | £1599 |
Original Prices - Asia
| India: | Rs 106,900 | Indonesia: | N/A |
| Malaysia: | N/A | The Philippines: | N/A |
| Thailand: | N/A | Vietnam: | N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the iMac 27-Inch models follow.
Permalink E-mail a Friend Bookmark & Share Report an Error/Typo
Suggest an Addition Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices
<< iMac 27-Inch (Home) Also see: iMac 27-Inch FAQ
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.