The creator took an innovative approach by utilizing the Simple Decky TDP Control plugin—originally intended for handheld devices like the Steam Deck—to manage the CPU power limits of an older iMac. By capping the i5-7500 CPU’s TDP at 40W, they maintained optimal thermal levels while activating performance mode and CPU boost for enhanced gaming.
Surprisingly, this setup efficiently handled a range of games. Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite ran nearly flawlessly at 900p with medium settings, maintaining close to 60 FPS. Hades II performed consistently, reaching 57-60 FPS at 1080p with high settings. Meanwhile, Forza Horizon 5, although limited by the iMac’s 4GB of VRAM, managed between 50-60 FPS at 900p with very low settings, and even occasionally spiked above 90 FPS.
Older and lighter titles like Left 4 Dead 2 and Portal exceeded 100 FPS on high settings. Even Cyberpunk 2077 managed to be somewhat playable at 720p with low settings, delivering 35-50 FPS without using FSR. Attempts to enhance this with FSR 3 frame generation were less successful, as they caused significant ghosting issues.
ETA PRIME ultimately highlighted how transforming this old Apple hardware into a gaming machine isn’t for everyone, yet it’s a commendable way to extend the lifespan of older devices. In 2025, while technology upgrades are often driven by societal and corporate influences, this project demonstrates the potential of older equipment when paired with the right software tweaks. This creative repurposing serves as a reminder that significant performance can still be extracted from aging tech.
