is the new graphics card necessary??

[eboroian]

Quick question,

Does the new graphics card in the 24" 3ghz imac have any other purpose beside for gaming? Does it give any advantages when it comes to video etc...? I mean, if i'm not going to play many games on the new imac, is it worth getting the higher end model with the better graphics card?

Thanks

E

 

[CWallace]

For the most part, the extra performance will be confined to games. The ATI cards do a fine job of decompressing HD video streams and the performance of applications that use core animation and such seem to be better with the ATI card then the nVidia at this time (likely due in part by drivers).

 

[Goldenbear]

The Nvidia card is supposed to handle OpenGL better than the ATI cards. This will benefit most 3D CAD packages, such as ProE, Catia, SolidWorks, etc. Exactly what I want so that I can finally toss my PC (which I never use otherwise).

Too bad Apple insists on me buying an LCD display with the iMac, but that's another topic.

 

[Trip.Tucker]

The Nvidia card is supposed to handle OpenGL better than the ATI cards. This will benefit most 3D CAD packages, such as ProE, Catia, SolidWorks, etc. Exactly what I want so that I can finally toss my PC (which I never use otherwise).

Too bad Apple insists on me buying an LCD display with the iMac, but that's another topic.

So... what would you use in place of LCD?

 

[Goldenbear]

So... what would you use in place of LCD?

My 23" HDTV.

Or maybe put it in the living room and use my 42" HDTV. The point is, I have other options and don't have room for another display.