Getting a MBP 15" (non-retina)

So I've decided for a MBP since it also sports a 2nd SATA port compared to the Retina-version which don't.

Other than that. How is Gaming in general via Bootcamp? Idle vs Full load temps and so on? Does it sound like a vaccumcleaner? What about Drivers? Nvidia is one thing, but what about Audio and or Wifi for example?

I think these questions cover pretty much everything I need to know.

 

Gaming performance through Bootcamp is going to be the same as any other Windows PC with the same specs, that isn't going to matter. One thing is that the MBP will run hotter in Windows no matter what as this is due to the drivers and implementation that Apple has chosen for Bootcamp. The drivers for audio, wi-fi, bluetooth, etc. are all provided by Apple in the Bootcamp setup. That is where the problem is though. In OS X, the MBP has switchable graphics so you can use the integrated Intel HD 4000 when you are playing back HD video content, surfing the web, or working in documents. The Nvidia GPU won't turn on until you really need it. This makes overall system operation temperatures lower and allows the MBP to go for a while on a single charge. In Windows, the Intel integrated solution is completely turned off and the MBP is running solely on the Nvidia. This means it will run hotter and battery life will be reduced. Performance is still going to be the same as any other Windows PC using the same hardware, it just won't be an optimal experience for the MBP.

I can tell you that the fans in that MBP are still fairly loud when the notebook is right in front of you. They can be muffled a little bit if you put the MBP behind a monitor or in your home entertainment cabinet (i.e. hook it up to your TV). I don't think they become overly annoying but they can still easily be heard. The fans are going to come on sooner and for a longer period under Windows due to the constant use of the Nvidia GPU.

 

also use lubbo's fan control, so you can ramp up the fans faster