radeon

[me hate windows]

Is there any way to use a PC version of a graphics card in a Mac? I want an 8500, the Mac version is 250-300 U.S. and you can get the windows version at Compusa for 99- a $30 dollar mail in rebate. They have all the same specs. What is the difference between them? Or is it just some way to get mac users to pay hundreds more?

 

[iJon]

i really think it would work, as long as you dont have a apple monitor. go for it.

iJon

 

[me hate windows]

what would an apple monitor have to do with it? Wouldnt it be the computer that matters? because you can plug in almost any VGA monitor and it will work.

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[irmongoose]

You would have to flash it to work with a Mac, dunno where to get the flasher, though.

As for why they're so much cheaper for PCs... they're all just MEAN!!!




irmongoose

 

[iJon]

Originally posted by me hate windows
what would an apple monitor have to do with it? Wouldnt it be the computer that matters? because you can plug in almost any VGA monitor and it will work.

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well a pc card isnt going to have adc is it. so you will have to buy a ton of adapters to go with it. thats all i was saying. i didnt know you would have to flash it to work with mac though. On my pc i thought i fried my gf4. so i took a radeon 7500 out of our display mac and put it in my and it booted just fine. many its only one way though. i dont feel like switching cards in my computers, dont feel like blowing anythink up.

iJon

 

[me hate windows]

i don need a zillion adapters. I only need VGA and S-video. Does anyone know anything more about this?

 

[solvs]

Go to www.xlr8yourmac.com for more info about flashing a video card bios. There are a couple of threads on this site about the process too. Do some searching. Be aware though, even if you do it right, it still may not work.

Edit: Especially the TV-Out. It probably won't work. Best to just do some digging for a good price, or keep the AGP card you have if it's a good one and buy a PCI 7000 for the TV-Out.

Plus, there's always eBay.

 

[Draft]

First off, mac pricing for video cards isn't because they are just mean. They begin by developing the card for the PC, then "port" the card to mac. I believe it is this extra development step that costs mac users money.

Next, I've seen the Radeon 8500 around for as low as $170:

http://dealmac.com/articles/39707.html

As for flashing a card, I've heard mixed endings to this. I'd just pay the extra $70 and get a card that you know will work.

Draft

 

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by iJon


well a pc card isnt going to have adc is it. so you will have to buy a ton of adapters to go with it. thats all i was saying. i didnt know you would have to flash it to work with mac though. On my pc i thought i fried my gf4. so i took a radeon 7500 out of our display mac and put it in my and it booted just fine. many its only one way though. i dont feel like switching cards in my computers, dont feel like blowing anythink up.

iJon

The only thing you really get from ADC is ColorSync compatibility since the monitor and the system communicate by USB to keep the colour happy. They used to have a separate USB cable for that when they used a VGA connector for the display.