24" iMac C2D - Vid card upgrade? Help!

[mongoos150]

Hi All-
Can't decide whether I should do the 7600GT upgrade. I know it's inexpensive, but it's a big purchase for a college student, plus if I go with the lower video card I can buy the iMac in the store as opposed to waiting two weeks. I'll upgrade ram later when I have the money. Going from a 20" Core Duo with the 256mb X1600, will the 7300GT 128mb have similar performance? I'm a media arts student but am not doing intensive video work, I do medium level Final Cut Pro and Adobe CS work. The 256mb X1600 on my Core Duo iMac now works very well, I also output 1080p video to a 40" plasma TV (via mini-DVI to DVI to HDMI). Thanks!

 

[Sayer]

Buy as much computer as you can afford at the time. I don't think anyone will ever regret buying too powerful of a computer (unless it is replaced a week later by a better/cheaper model).

 

[StealthRider]

If you're upgrading from a CD iMac to a C2D so soon, money is clearly not that big of a concern - if it is, wait a while for the next revision or two. If you absolutely positively need more screen space, go grab a Dell 2007FPW.

 

[mongoos150]

I'm using the cash from my CD to buy a C2D... I'm getting $1600 for my iMac and I'll need to spend $2052 if I go straight to the standard 24"... I'll have to pay more than that if I upgrade the vid card, and although I could afford it, it would be a *barely* affordable thing. I am mainly upgrading for the screen size and C2D processor. Is there a big performance difference between the X1600 256mb card and the 7300GT 128mb card?

 

[The Senator]

its all about how many textures are gonna be up on your screen, and if your using two displays

 

[mongoos150]

Well like I said I am currently running downloaded 1080p content on my iMac to a 40" plasma with the 256mb X1600. If I can get identicle performance out of the 7300GT, I won't bother with the upgrade. Thoughts?

 

[Flyinace2000]

Well like I said I am currently running downloaded 1080p content on my iMac to a 40" plasma with the 256mb X1600. If I can get identicle performance out of the 7300GT, I won't bother with the upgrade. Thoughts?

Wow college has changed a lot since i graduated (6 months ago).

I was worried about where to get drunk the cheapest, you worry about how to drive a 40" plasma.

 

[mongoos150]

It's my residence hall's plasma not mine... I get drunk at my fraternity (though not often) - anyway back to the question, will the 7300GT drive a large external monitor with 1080p content same as my 256mb X1600?

 

[mongoos150]

I really can't wait 2 weeks without a computer - and I'll probably sell this one once a new rev. comes out. I think I'll get the base 24" for now (still a workhorse)!

 

[SpankyPenzaanz]

wow talk about spoiled

 

[fall3n]

i'd get the upgrade just for the simple thought of incase for some reason i do need it down the road, because once you buy you cant upgrade the vid card. Just get it, it's only like 80 bux more. You won't have any regrets.

 

[yoda13]

Yeah, get the upgraded video card, you patience in doing so will make you happier later...just my two cents...

 

[gloss]

Why not just buy a new monitor and run a dual screen setup? The C2D's speed difference is going to be fairly minor in day to day use.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

GET THE 7600GT. You'll be glad you did later.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Its interesting to say the least that the MXM module is even used in the 24" iMac. Way out of line for Apple to even offer this on any iMac. I wonder why they didnt just solder this stuff in like they have done for years? Lets face it by not allowing people to upgrade the graphics they force people to buy another machine sooner then later. I wonder if the makers of these graphics chips Nvidia told Apple our way with the MXM module or the highway? Any thoughts?

 

[miniConvert]

Buy as much computer as you can afford at the time. I don't think anyone will ever regret buying too powerful of a computer (unless it is replaced a week later by a better/cheaper model).

Stellar advice, and what I normally work to. A couple of weeks wait is nothing compared to the extra longevity that could possibly be achieved by ordering a better spec.

 

[dmw007]

Go for the 256MB 7600GT video card.

 

[mongoos150]

wow talk about spoiled

Wow, talk about a douchebag!!! I'm spoiled because I work my ass off 20 hours a week while enrolled in 16 credit hours as a full time student at the U of A while on work study AND grants to put myself through school without parents AND I'm working as an RA to pay for my dorm room - and I have saved enough of my own money to upgrade my system? I'm spoiled? I'm working harder for what I have than any student I know. Tell those kids who drive range rovers around campus and have their tuition paid by mommy and daddy that their spoiled

 

[mongoos150]

Well to most of you - thanks for your advice. I'll probably go ahead and order it online, but it's rough being without a computer for two weeks while in school, constantly needing the internet for email, word processing for essays, etc... The library is about a half mile from my dorm. Thanks for everyone's advice though

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

Well to most of you - thanks for your advice. I'll probably go ahead and order it online, but it's rough being without a computer for two weeks while in school, constantly needing the internet for email, word processing for essays, etc... The library is about a half mile from my dorm. Thanks for everyone's advice though

You'll be fine without a comp for two weeks. It's not like it's the end of the world, just an inconvenience while waiting

 

[dmw007]

Well to most of you - thanks for your advice. I'll probably go ahead and order it online, but it's rough being without a computer for two weeks while in school, constantly needing the internet for email, word processing for essays, etc... The library is about a half mile from my dorm. Thanks for everyone's advice though

It will be a hard week or two, but just think how happy you will be after you receive your new iMac.

 

[KevKaos]

Well to most of you - thanks for your advice. I'll probably go ahead and order it online, but it's rough being without a computer for two weeks while in school, constantly needing the internet for email, word processing for essays, etc... The library is about a half mile from my dorm. Thanks for everyone's advice though

Not that this advise will do you much good right now, but since it seems that you upgrade often, you may want to try to pick up a cheap laptop someplace. Even a Windoze laptop would allow you to check email, surf the web and do some level of word processing during those time when you find yourself between computers.

 

[mongoos150]

^I've thought about that, I may once I have some more money.

Thanks everyone, I ordered the iMac just now - wanted to put in the extra gig of memory (cheaper than crucial surprisingly) but I couldn't afford it. I'll do it later - at least I'm getting the 7600GT. Now I just have to patiently wait! hopefully it won't be more than a week and a half...

 

[theimp]

You shouldn't have to wait too long. I just ordered the same as you, 24" with the upgraded video card, it said it would ship by the 26th, but shipped out this morning! I am a college (engineering student) as well, and everyone I talked to recommended the upgraded video card, and then upgrading the RAM when I have more money. I also work about 20 hours a week at school, it was pretty hard to save up the money, but it should be well worth the wait for us =)

 

[mongoos150]

Absolutely my man - estimated ship for me is the 27th, delivery on Nov. 3 - I'd be ecstatic if it got here earlier!