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New Mac Pro Buyers: What did you order?
- Thread starter desenso
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You only want 2XATI 2600 if you plan to use either 4 monitors or 2 dual link monitors. Multiple video cards do not run in SLI like on a windows machine.
Almost correct. You're absolutely right that the only benefit of running two ATI 2600s is if you need to drive four displays. However, it's worth pointing out that the 2600 does have two dual-link DVI ports (unlike the old Mac Pro's base card) so you don't need two of them to drive two 30" displays. One 2600 can drive two dual-link displays.
Just out of interest why did you order 2 graphics cards and only 1 monitor? The only reason to have 2+ graphics cards on a Mac is if you want to use more than 2 monitors as Macs do not support SLI.
Edit : Bah should have read the rest of the thread before responding.
Is the 8800 GT worth it?
I have been reading this thread and it seems like almost everyone, well at least half, are opting for the 8800 GT. I see it's $200. For the people that are choosing this, what made you choose this option? I don't know a lot about the graphics cards so am wondering what advantages this card has over the base model? The only disadvantage I can think of is the 3-5 week delay
I have been reading this thread and it seems like almost everyone, well at least half, are opting for the 8800 GT. I see it's $200. For the people that are choosing this, what made you choose this option? I don't know a lot about the graphics cards so am wondering what advantages this card has over the base model? The only disadvantage I can think of is the 3-5 week delay
I have been reading this thread and it seems like almost everyone, well at least half, are opting for the 8800 GT. I see it's $200. For the people that are choosing this, what made you choose this option? I don't know a lot about the graphics cards so am wondering what advantages this card has over the base model? The only disadvantage I can think of is the 3-5 week delay
To put it simply, it is faster.
It is also DirectX 10 compatible (for those that use Boot Camp) plus it has 256MB more graphics RAM which is significant with some uses.
I'm ordering an 8800 for my first generation Mac Pro as soon as I see some reports from the early adopters
. I think it is worth it.
I have been reading this thread and it seems like almost everyone, well at least half, are opting for the 8800 GT. I see it's $200. For the people that are choosing this, what made you choose this option? I don't know a lot about the graphics cards so am wondering what advantages this card has over the base model? The only disadvantage I can think of is the 3-5 week delay
I do a lot of heavy photo editing and I got the ATI card. Many people have told me that for photos, anything over 256MB is overkill. IMO, if you're not doing any graphics-intense pro work or gaming, the ATI is plenty.
OK so I've moved from the idea of a MacBook Pro to a Mac Pro AND a MacBook Pro... greedy
If I get the 8800 and a Octo 2.8 Mac Pro, then basically I have no business in holding out for 512mb cards in the MBP, is that about right?
I want both models but there's no sense in buying a really good desktop GPU and a good laptop GPU as well as with a Mac Pro, the MBP wouldn't be acting as "desktop replacement". If new MBPs come out at Macworld I can just get the low end model, or heck, a refurb 2.2.
This is only a quandary as Apple are offering 0% finance until the day BEFORE their keynote (sneaky) so I have to order the Mac Pro on finance and hold out for an MBP announcement.
If I get the 8800 and a Octo 2.8 Mac Pro, then basically I have no business in holding out for 512mb cards in the MBP, is that about right?
I want both models but there's no sense in buying a really good desktop GPU and a good laptop GPU as well as with a Mac Pro, the MBP wouldn't be acting as "desktop replacement". If new MBPs come out at Macworld I can just get the low end model, or heck, a refurb 2.2.
This is only a quandary as Apple are offering 0% finance until the day BEFORE their keynote (sneaky) so I have to order the Mac Pro on finance and hold out for an MBP announcement.
Just ordered the stock model from the UK store.
Shipping jumped from 1-2 days for the stock model to 3-5 weeks with the GT8800, so stuck with the ATI card.
Then at the last minute added a printer and the shipping is now 1-2 weeks - damn. Impulsive buying is never a good thing.
Wonder if I can cancel the printer?
Shipping jumped from 1-2 days for the stock model to 3-5 weeks with the GT8800, so stuck with the ATI card.
Then at the last minute added a printer and the shipping is now 1-2 weeks - damn. Impulsive buying is never a good thing.
Wonder if I can cancel the printer?
I'm so friggin' excited to finally make the switch from Windows, I can't describe it. I'm a MCSE on NT 4.0 and 2000 so I've had more than my fair share of hassles with Windows. I recently moved out of a support role and into project management, so I'll only be exposed to Windows on my corporate laptop.
Via ADC Student Discount (opted for 2 day delivery).
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi)
One 16x SuperDrive
Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X
Final Cut Express preinstalled
2GB (2 x 1GB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Accessory kit
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (Two dual-link DVI)
Ships by: Jan 10 - Jan 14
Delivers by: Jan 14 - Jan 16
Order Subtotal: $2,534.00
Estimated Tax: $209.06
Shipping Charge: $44.00
Estimated Total: $2,787.06
Via ADC Student Discount (opted for 2 day delivery).
AirPort Extreme card (Wi-Fi)
One 16x SuperDrive
Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X
Final Cut Express preinstalled
2GB (2 x 1GB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Accessory kit
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (Two dual-link DVI)
Ships by: Jan 10 - Jan 14
Delivers by: Jan 14 - Jan 16
Order Subtotal: $2,534.00
Estimated Tax: $209.06
Shipping Charge: $44.00
Estimated Total: $2,787.06
I am extremely happy! After a year of waiting, I just ordered my first Mac Pro last night:
2.8GHz 8-Core
2GB (2x1GB) RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
750GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb
One 16x SuperDrive
Wireless AirPort Extreme Card (Wi-Fi)
I was fortunate enough to marry a school teacher, so I got the EDU discount as well! With tax and free shipping, the total came to $3,262.43.
I'll order more RAM from a 3rd Party before the delivery date, and I've already got a copy of VMWare sitting here that will allow me to run Visual Studio 2008, which should also be on the way soon.
I took advantage of the "Buy Mac Office 2004 Student Edition, get $100 rebate, then upgrade to Mac Office 2008 for the cost of shipping" deal before year end, so I'm set with productivity apps as well.
All in all, I'm in great shape. Now the waiting continues...
2.8GHz 8-Core
2GB (2x1GB) RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
750GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb
One 16x SuperDrive
Wireless AirPort Extreme Card (Wi-Fi)
I was fortunate enough to marry a school teacher, so I got the EDU discount as well! With tax and free shipping, the total came to $3,262.43.
I'll order more RAM from a 3rd Party before the delivery date, and I've already got a copy of VMWare sitting here that will allow me to run Visual Studio 2008, which should also be on the way soon.
I took advantage of the "Buy Mac Office 2004 Student Edition, get $100 rebate, then upgrade to Mac Office 2008 for the cost of shipping" deal before year end, so I'm set with productivity apps as well.
All in all, I'm in great shape. Now the waiting continues...
I didn't order mine, I picked it up at the local Apple Store. Default configuration with a 30" display. I'll be upgrading the RAM and hard drives myself, and may add a second optical drive (Blu-ray burner, perhaps) and upgrade the video adapter later if I find the Radeon 2600XT isn't powerful enough.
well i posted early what i ordered, however today I decided to cancel my order.
I have decided to go to a B&M store and pick up the standard configuration (plus the airport installed) and then order the 8800gt separately. Right now I just need a decent computer, i can wait 5-7 weeks for the GPU but not 3-5 for the computer itself.
Dave
I have decided to go to a B&M store and pick up the standard configuration (plus the airport installed) and then order the 8800gt separately. Right now I just need a decent computer, i can wait 5-7 weeks for the GPU but not 3-5 for the computer itself.
Dave
I have been reading this thread and it seems like almost everyone, well at least half, are opting for the 8800 GT. I see it's $200. For the people that are choosing this, what made you choose this option? I don't know a lot about the graphics cards so am wondering what advantages this card has over the base model? The only disadvantage I can think of is the 3-5 week delay
The 8800 GT is a lot more powerful than the HD 2600 XT.
If you plan to use your computer for gaming, 3D rendering, animation, flash etc, then you definitely need to look at the 8800 GT.
If you mainly use applications such as Photoshop, Office, Illustrator etc, then the HD 2600 XT should work just fine.
I went and picked up my 2.8 dual quad core last night with the ATI card.. I will just wait till the 8800gt is fully stocked and if there is a good hack to get a off the shelf 8800gt to work.. a lot cheaper than what apple charges.
I'm looking into this too - I don't buy RAM from Apple and I don't see why I should pay sooooo much more money for the same card just cos it's from Apple.
I personally would rather have the card from Apple. But that is me, plus it is only $160 in the ADC store. So I can justify it
ExperCom
Newbie here but been reading posts for weeks. Has anyone ever bought here?
http://www.expercom.com/product_detail.html?PRODUCT_ID=497160
Newbie here but been reading posts for weeks. Has anyone ever bought here?
http://www.expercom.com/product_detail.html?PRODUCT_ID=497160
8800 GT sold seperately
I couldn't justify the 3.2GHz option but I wanted something more than the 2.8Ghz. Plus the 8800 GT is a very nice option but the wait is too long so I split my order.
Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeo
2GB (2x1GB)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
320GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb
One 16x SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme Card (Wi-Fi)
IWORK -08
APPLE WIRELESS MIGHTY MOUSE
WIRELESS KEYBD/ OS X
Ships by: 14 Jan - 16 Jan
Delivers by: 22 Jan - 28 Jan
NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GT GRAPHICS CARD-INT
MB137Z/A
Ships by: 29 Feb
Delivers by: 12 Mar
I wanted my computer right away so I ordered the card separately. (just call apple and they will do this if you ask.) It only cost about an extra 130 bucks.
I couldn't wait anymore so that extra fee is worth it. I'm using a Sawtooth G4 with an upgraded processor 1.2GHz - only one. Last month I needed to upgrade some software but my computer no longer had the specs to run it. I held out an extra month for the new pros to arrive and I have been rewarded.
I couldn't justify the 3.2GHz option but I wanted something more than the 2.8Ghz. Plus the 8800 GT is a very nice option but the wait is too long so I split my order.
Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeo
2GB (2x1GB)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
320GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb
One 16x SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme Card (Wi-Fi)
IWORK -08
APPLE WIRELESS MIGHTY MOUSE
WIRELESS KEYBD/ OS X
Ships by: 14 Jan - 16 Jan
Delivers by: 22 Jan - 28 Jan
NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GT GRAPHICS CARD-INT
MB137Z/A
Ships by: 29 Feb
Delivers by: 12 Mar
I wanted my computer right away so I ordered the card separately. (just call apple and they will do this if you ask.) It only cost about an extra 130 bucks.
I couldn't wait anymore so that extra fee is worth it. I'm using a Sawtooth G4 with an upgraded processor 1.2GHz - only one. Last month I needed to upgrade some software but my computer no longer had the specs to run it. I held out an extra month for the new pros to arrive and I have been rewarded.
This may be a stupid question, but...
I placed my order for the new mac pro yesterday. I upgraded the video card to the 8800GT and increased the hard drive to 500 gigs. Besides that, it's the standard configuration. It gave me a delivery time of five friggin' weeks. Now, is that estimate "exact" or is apple just playing it safe? Is there a chance I could get it earlier?
I have no problem with being patient (heck, I've been waiting for them to upgrade these suckers since August), but five weeks feels damn extreme just to pop in a new video card! Sorry, just venting...
I placed my order for the new mac pro yesterday. I upgraded the video card to the 8800GT and increased the hard drive to 500 gigs. Besides that, it's the standard configuration. It gave me a delivery time of five friggin' weeks. Now, is that estimate "exact" or is apple just playing it safe? Is there a chance I could get it earlier?
I have no problem with being patient (heck, I've been waiting for them to upgrade these suckers since August), but five weeks feels damn extreme just to pop in a new video card! Sorry, just venting...
I don't know how you guys can wait five more weeks for yours. Hasn't it been long enough?
I have to tell you, I am really enjoying mine right now and not worrying one iota about having the ATI as I am not a gamer. For FCE, Photoshop Dreamweaver, the NVIDIA is useless to me. The only thing I might be able to use it for is Aperture, but I'll be just fine with my ATI, thanks.
This machine is killer. I recommend to people who don't game or do heavy 3D graphics that they stop wasting time and get the standard box.
I have to tell you, I am really enjoying mine right now and not worrying one iota about having the ATI as I am not a gamer. For FCE, Photoshop Dreamweaver, the NVIDIA is useless to me. The only thing I might be able to use it for is Aperture, but I'll be just fine with my ATI, thanks.
This machine is killer. I recommend to people who don't game or do heavy 3D graphics that they stop wasting time and get the standard box.