Is a ATi 9200 too much video card...

[Dane D.]

Is a ATi 9200 (PCI) too much video card to use with a B/W G3/300, 576MB RAM? I run Photoshop v7, Illustrator v10, GoLive v6, QuarkXPress v4.11 and Netscape v7; all main apps. My only game is UT GOTY v436 and Links 2000. I do not plan on any upgrade soon and would like this computer to last 1 -3 more years of serious usage than pass on to daughter. Currently can boot in OS 9.2.2 off original 6GB (5400rpm) HD or boot OSv10.2.8 off internal SCSI 8.48GB (7200) HD via Adaptec PCI SCSI card. Also have installed a 12GB HD under CD drive. Bottom line is a $124.00 plus S/H worth it?

 

[iShadow]

u can never have a too powerfull videocard

 

[stevey500]

Thats interesting, if its an old G3... will you get quite a performance boost out of it since the OS has such a high priority in graphics? Or would the G3 be to slow to make much of a difference ... *-)

 

[spinne1]

http://www.barefeats.com/rad9200.html

 

[form]

It's the frigging PCI bus that'll choke you and waste your money.

 

[shadowmoses]

It's the frigging PCI bus that'll choke you and waste your money.

Thats right....It would be a total waste on your B&W G3 due to the bottleneck of PCI for graphics cards...

ShadOW

 

[keysersoze]

Thats right....It would be a total waste on your B&W G3 due to the bottleneck of PCI for graphics cards...

ShadOW

Yes, if you do anything, go to macsales.com and get a CPU upgrade. You can probably get an 800mhz G3 for a little more than that 9200 graphics card. It would do you better in the long run.

k

 

[carlos700]

I agree, you should make a CPU upgrade card your first priority. If you have some money left over, then you should purchase an ATI RADEON 9200 Mac Edition graphics card.

 

[Dreadnought]

I have heard that the 7500 is the most power for graphics you can get out of a B&W because of the PCI bus. So save your money and get the 7500.

 

[Dane D.]

Too many horror stories with...

I've read too many horror stories associated with CPU upgrades. Esspecially when speeds are close to or above 1 Ghz. I figure to pull the current vcard and replace with something better be it a 7500 or 9200. With respect to PCI speed the video port is 66mhz while the other PCI ports are 33mhz. To me the 9200 would serve me better since I'm upgrading to OS 10.3x in a week. Besides another RAM chip I've run out of cheap upgrades. And $125 is cheap. This computer has served my needs and more since installing OS X. I hate to part with it but a 1.25Ghz G4 machine would be a nice addition to my collection(has to be dual boot and able to install and run classic OS 9.2.2.