What would show more immediate quality of graphics and faster on-line refresher rates, a graphics card with more ram or double the memory? Im debating whether to get the 512mb ATI Card or an additional 4 gig or Memory with my new iMac. Also, why does Apple not offer the really high end ATI Cards with 1 gig of ram?
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Better Graphics Card or More Memory?
- Thread starter DougY
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Get a more powerful graphics card. Going from 256 MB to 512MB on the paltry Mobility 4670 still doesn't make it a 4850.
4GB RAM is plenty.
You should be able to multitask pretty well.
I mean, it depends what you do.
If you work with 3D or edit movies and REALLY need that fast rendering speed without having to close all your other apps, then yeah, go with more RAM.
But if you're just an average user, then a better video card sounds reasonable.
You should be able to multitask pretty well.
I mean, it depends what you do.
If you work with 3D or edit movies and REALLY need that fast rendering speed without having to close all your other apps, then yeah, go with more RAM.
But if you're just an average user, then a better video card sounds reasonable.
A better video card is in my forcast. But ATI cards are available with lots more memory than 512 mb, so why doesn't Apple offer those as well?
Apple is more interested in keeping their computers ridiculously thin than using decent graphics cards.
Extra graphics do little if any to speed up day to day tasks. Its a numbers game.
95% of the people who buy new computers with "OMG LOOK ITS GOT A 2TB DRIVE!" will probably never use more than 100 gigs of it.
You cant replace your graphics later in an iMac, but ram is so easy a 5 year old could do it.
But if you want the faster card (assuming you are getting a 27") -- then go with both the card and processor
$1870 AR for the i5/4850 http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=10682076
configuring a C2D 3.06 with the 4850 from apple = $1850
95% of the people who buy new computers with "OMG LOOK ITS GOT A 2TB DRIVE!" will probably never use more than 100 gigs of it.
You cant replace your graphics later in an iMac, but ram is so easy a 5 year old could do it.
But if you want the faster card (assuming you are getting a 27") -- then go with both the card and processor
$1870 AR for the i5/4850 http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=10682076
configuring a C2D 3.06 with the 4850 from apple = $1850
This completely depends on what you do w/ your imac.
Since you cannot replace the video card if you change your mind later and you can w/ the RAM, Go w/ the video card.
Not to mention that as software advances the upgraded video card may show it's worth in the future even if you don't use it's full capabilities today.
Since you cannot replace the video card if you change your mind later and you can w/ the RAM, Go w/ the video card.
Not to mention that as software advances the upgraded video card may show it's worth in the future even if you don't use it's full capabilities today.