2008 Mac Pro with ATI 2600 - "upgrade" to GT 120?

[johny5]

Searched the site along with google and am struggling to see if I will see many benefits from taking out my ATI 2600 and purchasing a second user GT 120?

I just fancied an upgrade to take my mind away from those sweet 27" imac screens and also am hoping that an improved 24" ACD is released or even a 27".
Obviously the new displays need the mini displayport socket so was wondering if I would see any benefits from ditching my 2600 and getting a cheap GT 120?

I mainly use Imovie, Iphoto, web browsing etc and know that the gt 120 supports opencl so I guess thats a minor improvement. Hopefully the GT 120 is a slightly better card?

 

[Cindori]

it will be an upgrade, but not by much. the GT120 is a 9600GT which is based on the 8800 series technology which is three years old.

It's also as much as a new PC 4870 1GB (150$) which is light years better, and can be flashed to work in the mac pro.


// edit, you needed DP >_>
well the gt120 is atleast quiet. but I dont think there is even 1 app yet to take advantage of opencl?

 

[johny5]

thanks for the reply

I did read up about flashing the pc cards but coming from a pc background many years ago full of crashes etc I try to stick to the genuine apple products if I can (I am sure that the flashed cards work 100% but its just me ).
I also needed the mini displayport as am hoping for a new improved ACD 27" (I currently have a 23" ACD and would like higher res + built in webcam etc).

 

[gugucom]

At least tests have shown that the 2008 Mac Pro is compatible, so you would not waste your money. Also the 120 runs without additional PCIe power which means no cables and probably half the energy bill of the 2600.

 

[johny5]

your joking? does the 2600 really use a lot of power compared to the GT 120?
I do hear a great "wooosh" sound when I switch the Mac on, I always thought it was the main fans but on closer looking its that small fan on the 2600!

oh its sounding like win win then for the GT 120 for me

 

[netkas]

it will be an upgrade, but not by much. the GT120 is a 9600GT which is based on the 8800 series technology which is three years old.

It's also as much as a new PC 4870 1GB (150$) which is light years better, and can be flashed to work in the mac pro.


// edit, you needed DP >_>
well the gt120 is atleast quiet. but I dont think there is even 1 app yet to take advantage of opencl?

you are wrong, gt120 is renamed 9500gt, which is shrink of 8600gt, which was direct competitor to 2600xt two years ago

so its not upgrade at all

 

[johny5]

Finally found a great link that shows the 120 GT is in fact slightly better than the 2600 (albeit still a slow card compared to latest cards but a cheap upgrade option to include opencl and the minidisplayport). The link is primarily for 3d games.

http://www.barefeats.com/nehal05.html