What card for gpu renders

gtx285

 

I've heard from a few places that ATI does better with 3D rendering, but I'm not totally sure about that. If you can, you might want to wait til the next MP update for better GPUs to be released.

 

If you're stuck using nVidia, the GTX285 is all that's available. You'd be waiting longer than the next release of the MP for one of the newer cards (if it's developed), as currently, they're too new for Apple to have had adequate time to create the firmware and drivers for them. Then there's the current availability issues (very low quantities shipped so far).

I'd look into the software you're using in further detail (and perhaps give the specifics as it could help here), as it should also apply to ATI's offerings, not just nVidia (makes more sense for the GPGPU functionality to be available on more than one brand, assuming the card is new enough it supports GPGPU functionality). ATI's newer offerings do as well.

Worth the research IMO, as it's expected that the 5870 will be available at the time of release of the next MP models (card's been out long enough there's been adequate time to develop an Apple version, and there's no production/availability issues either).

 

This might help:

http://www.geek.com/articles/games/macpro-whats-better-ati-radeon-4870-or-nvidia-gtx-285-20090720/