Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Buying MacPro, Best Video Card Choice?

dissdnt

dissdnt

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 3, 2007
1,489
5
Hi all!

I'm dumping my pc and getting a MacPro soon. I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are on the current crop of video card choices.

I actually have a dual nvidia quadro fx 7800 in my pc now and I think that might even be compatible with a mac setup.

Here's the current choices
# ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
# 2 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $130.00]
# 3 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $260.00]
# 4 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $390.00]
# NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB [Add $150.00]
# NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB [Add $2,850.00]

Obviously the fx is probably the best choice, but who's dumping 3k on video cards :)
 
dissdnt said:
Hi all!

I'm dumping my pc and getting a MacPro soon. I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are on the current crop of video card choices.

I actually have a dual nvidia quadro fx 7800 in my pc now and I think that might even be compatible with a mac setup.

Here's the current choices
# ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
# 2 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $130.00]
# 3 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $260.00]
# 4 x ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB [Add $390.00]
# NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB [Add $150.00]
# NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB [Add $2,850.00]

Obviously the fx is probably the best choice, but who's dumping 3k on video cards :)
Click to expand...


quardro fx 7800? they don't even have fx 7800. the top of line is FX5600.

you said getting a macpro soon? the 6 months old macpro? are you sure?

good luck.
 
powermac_daddy said:
the 6 months old macpro? are you sure?
Click to expand...

Oh, come off it. We've covered this: It's only halfway through the cycle. IF. THAT. The last one took 518 days, and with WWDC being exactly 518 days from the Penryn update, I can't see them updating before that. Which sucks, yes, but I'd need Nehalem to come out in your timeframe to see otherwise, and it's not going to do that.

Now is still a good time to buy a Mac Pro. It will stop being a good time in October. powermac_daddy is right, though; there's no 7800. You yourself said no lone user would spend that much money on graphics cards and then you claim to have something better than what actually exists.

The graphics card you need to get depends on what you're doing. Perhaps a little more info on your line of work?
 
Here's the basic rundown. One 2600 XTs is sufficient for everyday use, and okay for graphical use. The 8800 GT is much better at 3D apps, but slower at Core Image processing.

A new card just came out, though. The Radeon HD 3870 Mac and PC edition can be purchased seperately (http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=3857975), and is a little worse at 3D apps than the 8800 GT, but better than both the 2600 XT and 8800 GT at everything else. And if you buy a second 3870, the two can be connected and made more powerful in Windows using Crossfire, but they'll just run as two seperate cards under Mac OS X.

2600 XT - fine card
8800 GT - good at 3D apps
3870 - good at everything
2 x 3870 - the most powerful option supported on Macs
 
Haha you guys crack me up.

Anyway you're right I double checked it's two 7800 GTX's (256mb each) with Quadro Cooler (hence the confusion) in SLI. Which is another question, Mac support SLI?

Looks like this

331003066-01.jpeg


Anyway I was googling around and it says it is mac compatible but in general don't know if they are outdated compared to whats available now in a macpro configuration.

I used to be a game developer but now i'm mostly doing composite work using After Effects. I don't bring home work that much but i want a nice machine I wont have to upgrade for awhile.

I also play games once and awhile and want to make sure it's a good card even if i have to bootcamp into XP to play them etc.

Thanks again guys. Sorry about the vidcard confusion
 
Tallest Skil said:
Oh, come off it. We've covered this: It's only halfway through the cycle. IF. THAT. The last one took 518 days, and with WWDC being exactly 518 days from the Penryn update, I can't see them updating before that. Which sucks, yes, but I'd need Nehalem to come out in your timeframe to see otherwise, and it's not going to do that.

Now is still a good time to buy a Mac Pro. It will stop being a good time in October. powermac_daddy is right, though; there's no 7800. You yourself said no lone user would spend that much money on graphics cards and then you claim to have something better than what actually exists.

The graphics card you need to get depends on what you're doing. Perhaps a little more info on your line of work?
Click to expand...

dude, do we have to do this again?
you know want i mean. scared of you now!
 
The 8800s are better then the 7800s for sure. I think your best bet is to get the stock ati 2600, then buy an ati 3870 after market (the new mac/pc edition). The 8800s have performance issues in OS X. But, its only 150 extra to do the upgrade when you buy it - so it might be worth it to stick it out with the 8800. Your call.
 
Cool thanks guys, appreciate it. Do you think they'll offer the 3870 as a choice soon?
 
Tallest Skil said:
It's out now.
Click to expand...

Nah i mean as an option when customizing your order on apple.com. I don't see it listed. Just seems like a waste to buy a machine with standard then dump that card and buy another one.
 
Also, you can sell the replaced card on eBay or something along those lines. That's better than "dumping" it.

It's not clear if it'll ever be a configurable option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back