New PowerMacs - Non Apple Video Card

[jedijoe]

Hola.

I am new to Apple, first powerbook last April and I want a new PowerMac, but I hate Apple's selection of video cards. Either the absolute low or the absolute high.

I do not want a 6600LE or 6600 even, nor do I want a 7800GT or Quadro 4500..
Plus the 7800GT isn't an option at the Apple Store, even though it states on the apple.com that 7800GT is a video option upgrade....

My question, is it possible to just buy any PCI-e video card and use with a PowerMac? I was thinking of nvidia 6600GT or 6800GT or ATI X800 or X850..

thanks!

 

[robbieduncan]

Hola.

I am new to Apple, first powerbook last April and I want a new PowerMac, but I hate Apple's selection of video cards. Either the absolute low or the absolute high.

I do not want a 6600LE or 6600 even, nor do I want a 7800GT or Quadro 4500..
Plus the 7800GT isn't an option at the Apple Store, even though it states on the apple.com that 7800GT is a video option upgrade....

My question, is it possible to just buy any PCI-e video card and use with a PowerMac? I was thinking of nvidia 6600GT or 6800GT or ATI X800 or X850..

thanks!

If the card has a compatable BIOS this will work. So in practice the cards you listed above will not work. This is down the the different architecture of the platform, specifically bit ordering and PC BIOS vs Open Firmware initialisation.

 

[BrianKonarsMac]

no unless you want to modify the board yourself.

 

[Zoowatch]

for the peace of mind

get the video card specifically designed for Mac instead

 

[treblah]

As this being the first Mac with PCIe, there are no cards available to buy with a Mac firmware. It will probably be a month or two.

One question though, why are you down on the 6600 but like the GT?

 

[RatVega]

I think you're getting the message here, but I'll reinforce it:

My system, for example, can be upgraded to an X800 or X850 board, but only one that is "Mac Edition", which pretty much means ATI branded and higher cost, but also means it'll run great and be fully supported.

Killer graphics boards are important, but not as important as in a PC, in your new PowerMac you'll have dual 64-bit processors and the the apps use the system differently.

Go with the supported board that most closely meets your needs. That lovely aluminum enclosure is a lot more than a life support system for a video board.