GeForce 6800 GT or GeForce 6800 Ultra?

[toddya]

Alright everyone.
I'm tired of reading benchmarks, and stuff.

Basically, should I get the ULTRA versus the GT?
here is the dilemma.

I can get the GT at about $450, versus $600 for the Ultra. is it worth the $150 difference? If you think about it. I can get TWO 6800 GT, have a "spare" Radeon X800XT all for about $1350. Whereas two 6800 Ultra will cost me $1200. (I'm factoring I can also sell my old 9600XT for about $100).

I already own a Radeon X800, problem is that I just bought TWO ACD 30 inches for home. (I do DTP work) so this stuff pays for it self quickly...

I wanted to have two close as possible setups at work and home. But it seems that I might be forced to bite the bullet and go GeForce 6800 on the dual display G5.

Any comments? The speed benchmarks are so minor it isn't even funny! But then again, I'm from the PC world. So I'm used to prices going down quickly, NOT UPWARD like Apple hardware sometime does (AirPort card 802.11b anyone??).

So I wanted your comments.
I plan to do more Graphics, QuarkXpress, Photoshop, InDesign. No video work.

I love games, but the FSAA isn't a tremendous deal breaker to me. However, I'm bummed that Applecare won't cover the 6800!! So it's a 1 year warranty on it versus 3 year on the Radeon X800 retail.

Also I swear to god, the 6800 Ultra looked fantastic compared to the X800 running Batman Trailer in H264. Maybe it was just my tongue hitting the floor at the Apple store. But it seems SLOWER on the X800 on my 2.7Ghz, versus the 6800 Ultra on a 2.5Ghz at the Apple store. (hmm I should go there and try it again).. mainly when I do a "zoom" to fill the 30 ACD did it seem slower on the ATI.

Anyway, Inputs are greatly appreciated

Oh yeah. I will toss in a game here and there, but not as often as my PC or console. I'm looking for stability and straight on connectivity to dual 30 inches. I wish ATI did DUAL DVI link on BOTH ports.. ARGH!

Thanks again.

Todd

 

[Platform]

Well since you are SUCH a luckey person and have 2 X 30" ADC Then there will be a lot of pixles for the GPU to handle so since you seem to be well off.....go for the Ultra....8Millon Pixles deserve the best

 

[toddya]

Ultra or GT or GT with X800??

Well since you are SUCH a luckey person and have 2 X 30" ADC Then there will be a lot of pixles for the GPU to handle so since you seem to be well off.....go for the Ultra....8Millon Pixles deserve the best

Thanks for the kind words..ha ha... I use this for DTP and photoshop editing primarily. Got tired of the Windows world, so i switched my main graphics machine to MAC. I love the 30 inch world, its so much more productive..

I guess my greatest confusion is that there isn't THAT big of a difference inspeed between Ultra versus GT (from what I can see, maybe 5% max??) unless I'm reading the wrong reviews.

That's why I'm asking for opinions..

 

[topgunn]

Get on eBay and get an Ultra for less than what you say you can get a GT for. I regularly see Ultras go for less than $400.

 

[toddya]

GF6800 on ebay... things that make you go hmm.

Get on eBay and get an Ultra for less than what you say you can get a GT for. I regularly see Ultras go for less than $400.

The tricky part is I need to have some warranty on this stuff! Being that the graphics card gets so "hot" and the GF6800 has a heat-pipe(?) like cooling system that worries me somewhat if I get a lemon...

What is your opinion? the ones I see on ebay typically have no warranty.. they won't even offer a receipt!

Todd

 

[link92]

I've got one 30" here with a 6800 Ultra, but there again I got it just after WWDC '04 when the 6800 Ultra was the only card on the market capable of powering one... I'd of got it anyway, as I spared no money on this (Dual 2.5GHz G5, 2x250GB, 4.5GB RAM, 6800 Ultra, 30" Cinema Display).

I say buy a 6800 Ultra from Apple, that way if it breaks, you have someone to turn to.

 

[eyeon]

(I do DTP work) so this stuff pays for it self quickly...

What is DTP work? Sounds like that's the field I need to get in to!!!

 

[barneygumble]

finally, someone has two 30" any chance of a photo? I always believe in going for the best you can afford, as a general rule you get what you pay for in terms of warrenty and quality of product!!

 

[Platform]

Thanks for the kind words..ha ha... I use this for DTP and photoshop editing primarily. Got tired of the Windows world, so i switched my main graphics machine to MAC. I love the 30 inch world, its so much more productive..

I guess my greatest confusion is that there isn't THAT big of a difference inspeed between Ultra versus GT (from what I can see, maybe 5% max??) unless I'm reading the wrong reviews.

That's why I'm asking for opinions..

You are welcome

You are right...but for that "Dual 30", I would take every percent of power I could get

And as said...pics please

 

[toddya]

GF6800.. still need searching....

I've got one 30" here with a 6800 Ultra, but there again I got it just after WWDC '04 when the 6800 Ultra was the only card on the market capable of powering one... I'd of got it anyway, as I spared no money on this (Dual 2.5GHz G5, 2x250GB, 4.5GB RAM, 6800 Ultra, 30" Cinema Display).

I say buy a 6800 Ultra from Apple, that way if it breaks, you have someone to turn to.

Did you buy it ONLINE or an apple store?
I want to get it from Apple store to support the store (there is only one in Hawaii). If I go online too, if its DOA (and I've had my share of DOA Apple stuff), then I need to ship it back. pain in the butt!

Your system sounds like mine at work !
I bought a "REFRESHED" (returned to the store) PM 2.5 for $2060! The keyboard mouse was UNUSED. The Unit had NOT A SCRATCH on it! No dust inside. But the damn heads, did NOT reload the software, so it had the user's banking information on it. So I full-formattted the drive and did the hardware burn-in off the diagnostic CD. Man those mans can get noisy. I hate liquid cooling and I thought it's be quieter.. NO WAY when you do that diag test.. Sheesh.

My system continues with DUAL 160GB drives (7200.7 seagate, matched). 4.5GB of memory, I'm currently using a Radeon X800XT but I *MIGHT* go and get a GF6800. Since it can handle dual 30 inch monitors. At work I only use ONE monitor and it's a ACD 30 inch. I tried the 23 Inch Cinema HD (original) and a separate 17 inch monitor (desktop spanned). It looks funny! Doesn't match and I got a good refund I wasn't expecting so I figured why not. and bought a single 30 inch. Was so Impresssed! I could use INDESIGN (CS2).. wow! So much more productive than desktop spanning..

my only difference is also am using a Wiebetech RaidTech 800 (400GB x2 mirrored) to save my data. But seems to be giving me random "raid failed" when I power down the G5. Not sure if it's TIGER or the G5. It worked perfect on my PMG4 1Ghz Dual that I'm selling. Before I could even use the G4 I realized for my DTP applications 2GB wasn't enough.. That was the reason I moved up....

So.. my dilemma.. apple store ONLY sells the 6800 GT.. They can't order the 6800 Ultra.. so I'm bummed.. I lose out my corporate discount PLUS having to wait a few days, then if it's DOA.. that'll totally be a a loser...

I have to admit Apple's products are decent.. Their OEMS are another story. My Shuffle was DOA, my first Mac Mini (i bought one as a gift and that worked, but MINE was DOA intermittent no boot), and my Girlfriend's MacMini's modem was DOA..

any input you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Todd

 

[toddya]

DTP ain't all its cracked up to be.

What is DTP work? Sounds like that's the field I need to get in to!!!

I'm by no means a real graphic artist. I just use it to generate our own newspaper advertisements. This give us greatest flexibility. However its a pain in the butt when the damn Windows XP goes south and crashes.

That's my main motive to go Mac. My first Powermac G4 was bought just as a "toy" (you know, something new). But I never used it! except to RIP CDs for my IPOD (before Windows version came out).

Then it sat in storage for a few months unused. I just took it out of the box, took it to work. Bought Adobe Creative Suite CS2. Just about to use it for work, and guess what? I realized my files I work with are almost 1GB and 2GB MAX didn't fit for my needs. So time to upgrade again..

Yeah good excuse.. But hey I'm selling it so someone will get a good unit if ythey take me up on it.

Anyway.. DTP is fun. I wish I was more "right brained" but i'm not.. :-(

Todd

 

[toddya]

Dual30 Inch Picture request?

finally, someone has two 30" any chance of a photo? I always believe in going for the best you can afford, as a general rule you get what you pay for in terms of warrenty and quality of product!!

Gee! The fanatics!
Alright. I will post a picture by this weekend.. I just setup the dual 30s "turn ed toward you like servants". not side-to-side straight.. i tried that.. while it looks nicer, it's SO HARD TO USE LIKE THAT because the resolution is so high (text small)

but I'm using the Radeon 9650 that is defaulted in the PM 2.7. So its really wierd. the 1st 30 ACD is at 1280x800 and the second is at 2560x1600 (or whatever that resolution is)

THat's why I need input, which GeForce 6800!

Heh.. and now I'm broke.. so I need to sell off my other MACS to pay for at least oneof the 30 inches. I have acces to 3 of them now! 2 at home, 1 at work...

Use a WiebeTech TrayDock to transfer data back and forth home/to work.
Haven't done that yet.. still loading the software.. almost there.. but I need that dman GF6800!!

The Poor X800XT will go back to the vendor. I need two of the same cards. thatw ay if one craps out. I won't be stuck "without" dual display..

Todd

 

[Platform]

Gee! The fanatics!
Alright. I will post a picture by this weekend.. I just setup the dual 30s "turn ed toward you like servants". not side-to-side straight.. i tried that.. while it looks nicer, it's SO HARD TO USE LIKE THAT because the resolution is so high (text small)

Todd

OK Thanks....that must be awzome