Valve Signals Mac OS X 10.6.4 Performance Issues for Nvidia Users

A warning has been posted on the Steampowered.com forums with Valve signaling that Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6.4 software update affects “high performance games” on Macs equipped with Nvidia graphics. Valve develops, distributes and administrates Steam, the popular gaming platform that, as of last month, serves the Mac gaming community as well.

Valve claims to have spotted noticeable performance issues with graphically intensive video games running on Nvidia-equipped Macs with Mac OS X 10.6.4 applied. Entitled “10.6.4 Performance Issues for Nvidia Users,” the post in question begins with Valve’s dberger stating that, “The recent 10.6.4 update from Apple has noticeable performance issues for NVidia graphic chip owners running high performance games.” The company representative offers a piece of advice to those running high spec-demanding titles, saying, “If you wish to avoid this, you should consider waiting to install the 10.6.4 update until Apple has had the opportunity to address this issue.”

The post continues with dberger directing users to an Apple Support document that details the contents of the newest incremental update to Snow Leopard. A link to the Mac maker’s main Support site is also provided. Those who’ve already applied the 10.6.4 update and have experienced the aforementioned issues are encouraged to contact Apple Support. Valve fails to make it clear how Apple can be of any help in these circumstances. Valve also reported that it was working with Apple and graphics card vendors Nvidia and ATI to roll out new drivers in order to address said performance issues.

With a more positive state of mind, the video-game developer earlier announced the availability of Counter Strike: Source for Mac OS X, via its Steam platform. The game is purchasable at less than half its original price, an offer running for just two days over at the company’s online store. “The #1 online action game in the world, Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) has just received a major update and is now available for the Mac,” Valve announced via its Steampowered.com website. “CSS is a SteamPlay title, so if you own it on the PC – you own it on the Mac. Besides PC Vs. Mac cross-platform play, this update also adds achievements, stats, engine updates and more,” the company said.