As far as I know - HD playback is nothing to do with the GPU, it is all about the CPU.
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20' imac: old one or the new one?
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As far as I know - HD playback is nothing to do with the GPU, it is all about the CPU.
We are going off topic!
I agree: the fastest cards for the mac right now are these two cards (4870 & 4850). Read my posts: never said anything else. But that doesn't mean that the 2600 is a good card.
"ATI cards are still better than Nvidia on the Mac"
So you're saying the 2400 XT is a better card than the GT 130, just because it's an ATI card.
(sarcastic)
The newer GPUs are taking over of some of the tasks needet to playback HD Video. So it's not just a CPU task.
The hardware in the GPU supports now HD video encoding. But you still need a fast CPU, because not all the work is done by the graphics.
I have the old one. I maxed out the specs autumn 2008.
I must say it is holdong out just fine for 2009!
Cheers,
P
I must say it is holdong out just fine for 2009!
Cheers,
P
The wondering i stated had to do with 20' imac, meaning 2600pro (old) vs 9400m (new).
Which one of them to select?
I think you mean decoding.
And I believe the ATI 2600 Pro also supported some kind of video decoding.
You would really need someone to test out the claims of video decoding by these gpus to put them into any sort of context.
The ATI HD 2600 uses the Avivo HD videoengine to decode HD video.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-2600.3771.0.html
And nVidia uses NVIDIA PureVideo HD.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html
So both cards ae capable of video decoding, and both are powerful enough to play HD without problems. If I had 1999$ I would go for the Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.
It matters a alot. The 2600 does not support it nor is their any info if the new ATI cards do or do not. Currently CUDA by Nvidia is the only company that officially supports the advances made by snow leopard. That is why Apple put them in all of their computers. That much is obvious. They did not do it just because they think that Nvidia is better at making graphic cards.
Well those days are over. The new Nvidia GPU's handle all the video encoding and HD playback with Pure Video HD and CUDA.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9400m_g_us.html
Actually the two technologies do not do the same thing. The ATI card "accelrates' the video encoding, while the Nvidia GPU actually does the encoding on the chip itself without any help from the CPU with the help of CUDA.
They are not doing the same functions.
Apple did not use the integrated Nvidia GPU for gaming, they got them for CUDA to help their Macs run applications.
Well I would not just make your decision based on just the graphic cards. The screen is of a much higher quality on the 09 model. I know I have owned a 2.4 ghz imac three weeks ago and traded it in for a 2009 model. The new 09 model LCD has a new model number for the screen.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/iMac-20-Inch/658/1
The old model is a AU Optronics M201EW02, the new one is a AU Optronics M302EW02.
They also make the 24 screen: AU Optronics M240HW01 V0
It is a completely different model of LCD from the one that the ATI graphic card is in. It is like a night and day difference. I have a 24 09 model for work and the only difference I see between the 09 24 model and the 09 20 model is the screen size. Quality is about the same, just the size is different. If your looking for a reason to buy a 09 model vs a 08 model, do it for the screen, not the graphics card.
It also has DDR3 memory. While not a big deal it is when the integrated GPU takes advantage of the DDR3 memory. The more you have the better it performs.
Snow leopard will also take advantage of the CUDA technology that is in the Nvidia cards. That is not the case for the ATI card.
Are you saying that SL will not take advantage of the new ATI 4850 as well?? Or does that card have the appropriate technology?
That was not a fact. They were stating their opinion. How would they know since they did not even know who produced the panel? They also said that the 20' macs also used the "same display from the previous model'.
Which is strictly not the case. Proven by ifixit.com when they tore down the 2009 20 imac. The model revealed is not even listed on AU's website. I called the company. None of their panels use 6-bit dithering. And that goes for the 24" model. The only difference between the AU produced 24 panel and 20 panel is the size, thats it. They would not deny or elaborate or even talk to me for that matter about what they produce and for whom, but for general questions and kept asking me if I would be interested in a business contract with the company and with whom I am working for.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/iMac-20-Inch/658/2
The specs for the late 2008 model panel: Notice it doesn't say "by dithering".
http://auo.com/auoDEV/products.php?sec=monitor&func=info&product_id=111&items_id=1
For the 24:
http://auo.com/auoDEV/products.php?sec=monitor&func=info&product_id=157&items_id=1
Now I don't know what the model number for the 2009 24 is or who makes it. Those posted above is for the previous 24 and previous 20".
The model number for the 20" 2009 imac is:
AU Optronics M302EW02
If you look at the phillips produced panel that uses 6-bit dithering. Not the AU panels. Even the 2008 panel used by Apple produced by AU do not use dithering. It may not be that bright, but it sure is clear.
No wonder my 2008 20" Aluminium iMac display looks so good.
It doesn't look like an TN panel at all.
No wonder my 2008 20" Aluminium iMac display looks so good.
It doesn't look like an TN panel at all.
Actually it is a TN panel.
No wonder my 2008 20" Aluminium iMac display looks so good.
It doesn't look like an TN panel at all.
Most TN panels these days are as good as or better than some H-IPS panels.
I don't know if the 24' is still a H-IPS panel or a TN or who makes it. But if AUO makes it, it is a TN. Most likely it is not since the viewing angle is 178 degrees, but the 20' is 170/160 degrees on the 2008 the 2009 seems better so maybe it's a 170 degree panel, since i don't know the specs I really don't know yet, nor does anyone else for that matter.
AU Optronics
While I await delivery of my 2009 20" iMac, I've been constantly checking AU Optronics' website (ifixit link to panel #), but they haven't updated it yet with specs to the M302EW02 panel. And it's been driving me crazy. Apple's tech specs haven't changed either. Hmm...
Interesting to hear that iamthedudeman actually called the company. Good one.
While I await delivery of my 2009 20" iMac, I've been constantly checking AU Optronics' website (ifixit link to panel #), but they haven't updated it yet with specs to the M302EW02 panel. And it's been driving me crazy. Apple's tech specs haven't changed either. Hmm...
Interesting to hear that iamthedudeman actually called the company. Good one.
You will be happy with your 20' 09 model. It is a improved screen over the 08, as I just bought a 08 three weeks ago, and traded it in on a 20' model. It is brighter, by a noticeable margin.
The company who makes the panels for Apple(AUO) would not tell me much, other that they claim that none of their TN panels use dithering, and is true 16.7 colors. So i don't know how much good it did me but I tried.
As for the M302EW02 Panel, AU would not even confirm it even exists, even we know it does by it being outed by ifixit.com. I also noticed that the panel is also a 20.1. And not a straight 20". As is the 2008 model.
I also own a 24" 2009 imac for work. As far as quality vs the 20' i cannot tell a difference between the two other for the size. I am not saying the 24' is not a better panel, it probably is. I just can't tell the difference. That is how good the new panels on the 09 20' are.
+ Not all of us can afford the massive price Hike to get the iMac / Mac pro with these card.
When it come down to the crunch all we need to know is; 9400m or Ati 9600?
Which would for the money be a better all rounder?
2009 20" boot times
My 2cents worth: my 2009 20" iMac with 4 GB/640 HD consistently boots in 31 seconds. Compared to my other computer (see sig) this is blazingly fast. I'm wondering about boot times for the 2008 models with 4GB of DDR2 RAM - would it make a noticeable difference?
My 2cents worth: my 2009 20" iMac with 4 GB/640 HD consistently boots in 31 seconds. Compared to my other computer (see sig) this is blazingly fast. I'm wondering about boot times for the 2008 models with 4GB of DDR2 RAM - would it make a noticeable difference?