Key Takeaways
1. A 2019 Intel-powered iMac was successfully transformed into a gaming machine using SteamOS, highlighting the potential of older hardware.
2. The iMac features an Intel Core i5-7500 CPU and an AMD Radeon RX 560X GPU, which are crucial for running modern games effectively.
3. Installation of SteamOS on the iMac was mostly straightforward, though it required a USB sound card due to internal audio issues.
4. The system achieved impressive gaming performance, running titles like Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 at playable frame rates.
5. The project demonstrates that outdated technology can still be relevant and functional with the right software configurations, challenging the need for constant upgrades.
Breathing new life into old technology, a 2019 Intel-powered iMac that was purchased for just $100 from Craigslist has been seen running modern games quite impressively, all thanks to SteamOS. In a recent video on their channel, the YouTuber demonstrated how smoothly the 2019 Intel-powered iMac they found online for $100 can handle contemporary games like Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and many others. The outcome is, I must admit, quite astonishing.
The Hardware Behind the Magic
The 2019 iMac under discussion is equipped with an Intel Core i5-7500 CPU, which is a quad-core processor featuring four threads and a 3.8GHz boost clock. However, the creator pointed out that they observed the CPU frequency only reaching 3.6GHz.
Additionally, the iMac is fitted with an AMD Radeon RX 560X that comes with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM, based on the Polaris 21 GPU architecture. The YouTuber emphasized that for any of their followers wanting to run SteamOS on their old iMac, having an AMD GPU is crucial. Models that rely on Intel HD Graphics will struggle to run SteamOS effectively, the creator noted.
Installation and Performance
More specifically, ETA PRIME was utilizing SteamOS Holo version 3.7.13, and the iMac had 8GB of RAM. While it’s possible to upgrade the RAM in this particular iMac, the YouTuber mentioned that disassembling the device to reach the RAM slot is quite a laborious task.
To install SteamOS, ETA PRIME used the Steam Deck recovery image and placed it onto the iMac’s 32GB SSD partition, which is part of Apple’s Fusion Drive setup. Although the installation was mostly easy, there were some quirks, such as the internal audio not functioning, requiring a USB sound card, and issues with mapping Bluetooth controllers.
Game Testing Results
Interestingly, the creator also tried out the Simple Decky TDP Control plugin, typically intended for handheld devices like the Steam Deck, to regulate CPU power limits on the iMac. Even though the i5-7500 is a 65W chip, they adjusted the TDP limit to 40W to maintain thermal stability, allowing for performance mode and CPU boost to enhance gaming outcomes.
Despite these constraints, the system managed to run a surprising array of games. Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite performed well at 900p medium settings, staying close to 60 FPS. Hades II maintained a steady 57-60 FPS at 1080p high settings, while Forza Horizon 5, running at 900p very low settings, occasionally exceeded 90 FPS but generally remained between 50-60 FPS due to the limited 4GB of VRAM.
Older and less demanding games such as Left 4 Dead 2 and Portal exceeded 100 FPS on high settings. Even Cyberpunk 2077 was somewhat playable at 720p low settings, where the frame rate fluctuated between 35-50 FPS without FSR. Activating FSR 3 frame generation didn’t greatly enhance performance and instead caused severe ghosting, leading the YouTuber to describe the gameplay as “odd.”
In conclusion, ETA PRIME determined that while this setup may not be perfect for everyone, it’s still a fantastic way to breathe new life into old Apple hardware. It’s remarkable how much potential can be extracted from outdated technology—if only the software is configured correctly. Especially in 2025, where upgrading to the latest technology has become, if not a norm, then certainly a type of peer pressure, pushed by everyone from our friends to corporations we may never encounter.
Make sure to watch the complete detailed video from ETA PRIME on gaming with the 2019 iMac running SteamOS, linked below.
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