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Mac Pro - Upgrade video card?
- Thread starter kcrossley
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8800GT with the current drivers seems to be the winner in terms of value for the dollar right now.
Three options for direct drop-in (no ROM flashing):
1. The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT mentioned before for $279.00 at Apple.
2. The ATI Radeon HD 3870 PC/Mac Edition for around $200.00 at a few vendors.
3. The ATI Radeon HD 4870 for $349.00 at Apple.
All three cards have 512MB of video RAM. If you run apps that rely heavily on Core Image (like Motion, Color, Aperture, etc.), the ATI cards are generally faster (better drivers).
1. The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT mentioned before for $279.00 at Apple.
2. The ATI Radeon HD 3870 PC/Mac Edition for around $200.00 at a few vendors.
3. The ATI Radeon HD 4870 for $349.00 at Apple.
All three cards have 512MB of video RAM. If you run apps that rely heavily on Core Image (like Motion, Color, Aperture, etc.), the ATI cards are generally faster (better drivers).
Current tests seem to indicate that the 8800GT beats even the 4870 on CoreImage.
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal06.html
eh, the 3870 beat the 4870 on the Core Image test (on the 2008 MP). what gives 
heck the 3870 on the Harpertown was the fastest on the RAM Preview test, it beat the 4870 and the 8800. so thats relevant for the OP who has a 2008 MP
So for a Harpertown owner who isn't into gaming, the 4870 seems like a bad investment
heck the 3870 on the Harpertown was the fastest on the RAM Preview test, it beat the 4870 and the 8800. so thats relevant for the OP who has a 2008 MP
So for a Harpertown owner who isn't into gaming, the 4870 seems like a bad investment
I'm in the same boat, though I have to keep reminding myself that the 4870 has only 1 DVI port in which with my current setup I have to use the adapter. I'm not a huge fan of adapters and since I have no current plans to upgrade my monitors anytime soon the 4870 isn't for me. Plus I can take the price diff and get more storage.
So from a pure photo rig, I believe the 3870 is the better choice. Yeah I play WOW, but I don't think any of these cards are going to affect its' performance that much
So from a pure photo rig, I believe the 3870 is the better choice. Yeah I play WOW, but I don't think any of these cards are going to affect its' performance that much
eh, the 3870 beat the 4870 on the Core Image test (on the 2008 MP). what gives
heck the 3870 on the Harpertown was the fastest on the RAM Preview test, it beat the 4870 and the 8800. so thats relevant for the OP who has a 2008 MP
So for a Harpertown owner who isn't into gaming, the 4870 seems like a bad investment
According to this test (in French),
http://www.atreid.fr/index.shtml?men...heme=3&id=3030
the current drivers for the 4870 are the culprits, but they should be improved, possibly already in 10.5.7
You might want to check out eBay item 260382321862...
This card has been tested and found to work in the 2006 mac pro?
WHen making such statements, usually better to be RIGHT.
Barefeats found that 4870 worked just fine in 1st Gen.
It was OWC who didn't have brains/NDA clearance to use 10.5.7 drivers.
The answer to THIS question is YES
As to whether the average citizen has access to 10.5.7 drivers....they would have to look...but not very far.
Answers are all in the "Flash the 4870" thread.