7300GT vs 7600GT

[hokka]

Hi All!

Last week i bought the 24" iMac with 2Gig RAM, 500HD but did not upgrade the graphics card, do you think it'd be an issue in day to day 2D graphics work & other bits and pieces - I don't play games, and would it be okay for the next few years when the OS will be upgraded (for sure) and may need extra graphics power? Anyone have any thoughts on that? I mean would I be able to tell the difference say in Finder or say large PDF or JPEG series displaying in Preview...

I'm going up from a 1GHz eMac and a 12" 1.5GHz PB, so I'm sure there'd be a huge differences, though I just don't want to be dissappointed if I see slowness within the first year because of the stoopid graphics card.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MacProGuy]

Hi All!

Last week i bought the 24" iMac with 2Gig RAM, 500HD but did not upgrade the graphics card, do you think it'd be an issue in day to day 2D graphics work & other bits and pieces - I don't play games, and would it be okay for the next few years when the OS will be upgraded (for sure) and may need extra graphics power? Anyone have any thoughts on that? I mean would I be able to tell the difference say in Finder or say large PDF or JPEG series displaying in Preview...

I'm going up from a 1GHz eMac and a 12" 1.5GHz PB, so I'm sure there'd be a huge differences, though I just don't want to be dissappointed if I see slowness within the first year because of the stoopid graphics card.

Thanks in advance!

Everyone is going to have opinions on this... it really all comes down to a personal preference. If you play NO GAMES and don't do anything graphically intensive such as use Aperture, etc... then your card will be fine.

However, I also think that the 7600 will add to resale value, make it easier to sell, and thus when you go to sell it you will recoup some of your upgrade $$$...

If you aren't using games or anything seriously taxing... you won't be dissapointed.

 

[Fearless Leader]

it would be fine even if you were a gammer... maybe. Its still a powerfull card, and in the 24" model the graphics card is replaceable with an industry standard so when the time comes you can upgrade.

 

[hokka]

Thanks MacProGuy, yes I don't play any game so that's fine but can you pls explain why would Aperture be graphic intensive in comparison to say PShop? What about video editing? I don't do any as I'm a strictly 2D / illustrtor / designer guy but may pick up some skills now I have a powerful system... I guess I won't really know if I don't get caught up by all the benchmarkes + fps etc.

I'm not sure if it's too late to change as I bought it from a store that ordered for me (on Thursday) and the system is expected to arrive sometime next week. I did go into an Apple store today and someone told me I can get it upgraded later (plus service fees of course). Is that true? (I do know it's not user upgradable but what about Apple?)

 

[MacProGuy]

Thanks MacProGuy, yes I don't play any game so that's fine but can you pls explain why would Aperture be graphic intensive in comparison to say PShop? What about video editing? I don't do any as I'm a strictly 2D / illustrtor / designer guy but may pick up some skills now I have a powerful system... I guess I won't really know if I don't get caught up by all the benchmarkes + fps etc.

I'm not sure if it's too late to change as I bought it from a store that ordered for me (on Thursday) and the system is expected to arrive sometime next week. I did go into an Apple store today and someone told me I can get it upgraded later (plus service fees of course). Is that true? (I do know it's not user upgradable but what about Apple?)

Aperture, and in the future even OS X will be offloading a lot of graphics intensive functions to the VIDEO CARD instead of having the main CPU handle it... so that everything is even faster.

Add to that Aperture handling RAW files, and you need every ounce of HP possible for a card such as Aperture...

I'd personally never WAIT for apple to release an upgrade for something.... It's just not their style, IMHO.

 

[nagromme]

I think for your needs the 7300 will serve will for years. Heck, for now, a measly Intel GMA950 would serve!

The 7600 is a great upgrade, but not everyone will get benefit from it.

 

[ripfrankwhite]

I think for your needs the 7300 will serve will for years. Heck, for now, a measly Intel GMA950 would serve!

The 7600 is a great upgrade, but not everyone will get benefit from it.

But is it wise to skip? I've been told that since it's so cheap to upgrade, that it is almost a mistake not to. What do you think?

 

[emptyCup]

But is it wise to skip? I've been told that since it's so cheap to upgrade, that it is almost a mistake not to. What do you think?

That is probably true if you haven't bought the machine yet. But if you have, or like hokka know that your needs aren't demanding, I wouldn't worry about having the 7300. It is still a better card than anybody with an older iMac has.