About to order the new macpro

[BeyondMountains]

I just wanted everyones opinion on which video card to get.
I'll mostly be running PSCS3, protools, and logic pro.

I see there is a 3-5 week wait for the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (Two dual-link DVI)

but I dont need it right away, i kinda want it though haha

for my uses is this video card upgrade worth it?
or can i get away using ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (Two dual-link DVI)?

thanks for your time.

 

[bigbossbmb]

The video card will have absolutely no impact on the programs you listed.

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is a great card. It is 100 times better than the ATI 2600 XT. It has twice the memory and is a very high end gaming video card which means that it will deliver killer graphics performance in everything else. I am also planning on buying a new Mac Pro and when I do I will order it with the 8800GT because I plan on installing Vista on my Mac via Bootcamp to play games like Crysis and FSX. In my opinion, if I were you I would order the 8800GT unless you need the new Mac Pro right away. In that case you could always upgrade down the road. Hope this advice helped you!

 

[BeyondMountains]

The video card will have absolutely no impact on the programs you listed.

I know it wont do anything for protools and logic pro (just listed those to show what ill be using)

but i would like to play games.. UT3 anyone?
i wonder how it will run.

 

[oceanzen]

The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is a great card. It is 100 times better than the ATI 2600 XT. It has twice the memory and is a very high end gaming video card which means that it will deliver killer graphics performance in everything else. I am also planning on buying a new Mac Pro and when I do I will order it with the 8800GT because I plan on installing Vista on my Mac via Bootcamp to play games like Crysis and FSX. In my opinion, if I were you I would order the 8800GT unless you need the new Mac Pro right away. In that case you could always upgrade down the road. Hope this advice helped you!

He listed 2 music programs and a photo app!

No need to waste time or money on a gamer and video pros card

edit - Oh so you Are gonna play games. The only question to answer is, Do you want to wait or not, no one else can tell you that.

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

If you want to play games like UT3 get the 8800GT.

 

[dimme]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I do lots of photoshop CS3 stuff. I do enjoy Flight Simulator X. Is the ATI card a dog? Does anyone have any benchmarks between the two?

 

[GoKyu]

I do mostly Photoshop CS3/Lightroom too - the default 2600xt w/256mb RAM is more than enough for me. I don't really play games (other than MAME...)

-Bryan

 

[CWallace]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I do lots of photoshop CS3 stuff. I do enjoy Flight Simulator X. Is the ATI card a dog? Does anyone have any benchmarks between the two?

It's not a dog, but the 8800GT will "future-proof" you longer.

And considering Apple isn't exactly known for offering a constant stream of upgraded video cards during the Mac Pro's product lifecycle...

 

[chewietobbacca]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I do lots of photoshop CS3 stuff. I do enjoy Flight Simulator X. Is the ATI card a dog? Does anyone have any benchmarks between the two?

The 8800GT is easily 4-5x faster than the 2600XT in every benchmark you can think of. It's really not fair though, you're comparing a card based on the high-end enthusiast GPU vs. a cut-down lower mid-range card.

 

[Rowlander]

How about Final Cut? Do I get an advantage there with the 8800GT?

I don´t plan on playing games with it nor doing any 3d-rendering. Well "Motion" will probably benefit but is it worth it if I mainly use Final Cut?

 

[jwdawso]

Get both!

If you need the Mac Pro now, then buy it now with the standard card (2600), and also order http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?find=8800 the 8800. It means you will spend an extra $200, but you'll have the ATI card as a spare!

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

If you guys want benchmarks go to http://www.tomshardware.com . You'll see how much better the 8800 really is.

 

[darthraige]

How about Final Cut? Do I get an advantage there with the 8800GT?

I don´t plan on playing games with it nor doing any 3d-rendering. Well "Motion" will probably benefit but is it worth it if I mainly use Final Cut?

I'm using Final Cut Studio 2 with the 2600XT and I have no complaints with it. Everything is running soooooooo smooth. I can skim across un-rendered footage and you can see it in real time, it's great! But keep in mind I'm coming from a G4 Dual 800 with a 64mb graphics card. I'm extremely happy with what the standard MacPro can do. I will buy the 8800GT in the Fall.