Lately we’ve been getting questions about running Windows 3D games on a Parallels Desktop virtual machine. Basically, Mac users wanting to run games such as Half Life 2 and Dawn of War are worried that they won’t get the same gaming experience as they would on a physical PC.
The issue boils down to the available and dedicated video memory – Windows 3D games typically require at least a 64 MB video card. That’s a lot to ask of a physical machine let alone a virtual machine, even for those of you who have the very latest video cards on your Mac. Windows 3D games were developed specifically for native Windows environments, and because of the nature of virtualization, it’s hard to virtualize enough memory to run these games exactly the same as you would directly on a PC.
Here’s what you can try:
- You can increase your video RAM to 64 MB or more, although this option will probably require an expensive new video card.
- Try running the game on a lower resolution. Running it in high-resolution hogs a lot of your Mac’s CPU and video memory.
Wish I could give you a better response, but we’ve set up a forum to tackle the issue and provide as much support as we can. We’re working to enhance Parallels Desktop’s 3D graphics support and will definitely keep you posted, but in the meantime, let us know your thoughts or tell us about your experiences. Head for the forum with specific questions or feedback, or just post a comment below.
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