Best Quad video card?

[California]

Apple is fixing my quad for me.

It came with the stock 6600 video card.

What are the better cards for this? Does anyone know? Can't wait to get it back.

 

[nick9191]

I think the ATI X1900 XT is the best it will take.

Your G5 has a PCI-E port right? Ah yes it does, Quad G5, gotcha.

Edit: Although I have no idea where you would find one. All I can find is the ones for the Mac Pro, you need the G5 version.

Edit2: Aha, found one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Powermac-...hash=item260341674412&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

 

[MacVidCards]

I am pretty sure the 7800 GTX 512 was fastest card for G5 QUad.

Barefeats did some tests...not sure if he ever included a X1900.

Oddly, the image from the linked Ebay ad shows the G5 with one of these 7800GTX512s in it...not the X1900 in the ad.

The 7800s are available from a few vendors on Ebay, some in US, and one in Australia, one in Hong Kong.

 

[TrapOx]

I am pretty sure the 7800 GTX 512 was fastest card for G5 QUad.

That depends on the application.

The X1900 easily beats the 7800 in OpenGL (games) while the 7800 GTX 512 is faster in Quartz (pro apps).

The best option is to buy an X1900 since its far cheaper, OpenGL performance is so much better and Quartz performance difference is minimal.

X1900
Quartz Graphics Test 163.04
Line 129.70 8.64 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 158.03 47.18 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 142.52 11.62 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 142.56 3.60 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 384.75 24.07 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 126.47
Spinning Squares 126.47 160.43 frames/sec
User Interface Test 142.96
Elements 142.96 656.13 refresh/sec

7800GTX 512
Quartz Graphics Test 165.55
Line 132.24 8.80 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 155.06 46.29 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 144.67 11.79 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 146.57 3.70 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 407.15 25.47 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 94.66
Spinning Squares 94.66 120.08 frames/sec
User Interface Test 150.93
Elements 150.93 692.70 refresh/sec

 

[California]

Thanks that is what I was looking at.

But is it okay to buy a flashed video card?

Not sure if this will mess things up in my Quad which Apple is putting all brand new parts in?

 

[nanofrog]

Thanks that is what I was looking at.

But is it okay to buy a flashed video card?

Not sure if this will mess things up in my Quad which Apple is putting all brand new parts in?

So long as the Flash chip is large enough to hold the correct firmware, and the firmware is good, you should be fine.

There's nothing to be scarred about. It won't kill the computer as long as it uses the same bus as the system.

Now if you try to stuff a PCIe into a PCI-X or something,...

 

[California]

Thanks Nano for the info...

but how would I know if the firmware is not up to date on a flashed card?

 

[TrapOx]

but how would I know if the firmware is not up to date on a flashed card?

The screen won't display anything.

 

[nanofrog]

Thanks Nano for the info...

but how would I know if the firmware is not up to date on a flashed card?

Usually, you go to the manufacturer's web site, and look.

In the case of flashing, good luck.

Actually, forums like this one, can offer answers. A good google search can help, but would likely take some time. Given the Mac compatibility, I wouldn't think the firmware is updated very often, unlike the PC versions.

Sorry I don't have a quick and simple answer.