Some Questions Before I Buy A Mac Pro

[Anician]

I am currently thinking of buying a Mac Pro. But I have some questions.

1) Which of the below graphic cards are the best options for playing the better and more demanding games on the market at the moment? (I don't wanna buy a super expensive graphic card and only use 70% of it)

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
2 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)
3 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
4 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB, Stereo 3D (2 x dual-link DVI)

2) What is a Fibre Channel Card? And what is it used for?

3) How easy is upgrading the RAM and adding a second hard drive on your own? Is it as easy as just sliding it into the back of the Mac Pro or something like that?

4) Stupid question, but the Mighty Mouse can right click as well, right?

5) If you run Windows XP using Boot Camp, it's going to be almost (if not exactly) the same as running Windows XP by itself, right?

6) I heard that the Mighty Mouse is very hard to use for beginners. Is that true? If so, is it recommended that I buy another mouse? Will normal Logitech mouses work for a Mac Pro?


Thanks!

 

[pknz]

1. X1900XT
3. Yes its easy
4. Yes Mighty Mouse can right click
5. Yes, you are just using XP
6. Logitech mice will work, but try the Might Mouse out, see how you like it

 

[Glenn Wolsey]

You want to add the ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI) card. It will be the best $250 you spend.

Even in the MacPro, the 7300 offers sluggish performance. It’s important to do this when you order the computer because availability of third party cards at this point is virtually non-existent.

 

[Anician]

Thanks, Wosley and oknz.

Just need someone to explain what a fibre channel card is.

 

[Glenn Wolsey]

A fibre channel card is used to connect your Mac Pro to an Xserve RAID, which is not needed for 99% of customers.

Use Xserve RAID with Mac Pro. Simply add an Apple Fibre Channel PCI Express to your Mac Pro (or a PCI-X to your Power Mac) and get ready to rumble. Xserve RAID boasts a throughput of up to 380MB/s, fast enough to support real-time high-definition (HD) video editing, making it ideal for video editing workflows.

 

[Lord Nerdos]

Speaking as someone who got their mac pro two days ago... Get the ATi card for sure... I am surprised by how sluggish the performance of the NVidea card is when playing Doom3. A LOT of people strongly advise getting the ATi and I second that.
In my case I don't really play games, the odd demo is enough for me from time to time, so I don't really mind, but if you are an avid gamer then don't even consider anything less than the ATi

 

[kingkezz]

I am currently thinking of buying a Mac Pro. But I have some questions.

1) Which of the below graphic cards are the best options for playing the better and more demanding games on the market at the moment? (I don't wanna buy a super expensive graphic card and only use 70% of it)

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
2 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)
3 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
4 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB, Stereo 3D (2 x dual-link DVI)

2) What is a Fibre Channel Card? And what is it used for?

3) How easy is upgrading the RAM and adding a second hard drive on your own? Is it as easy as just sliding it into the back of the Mac Pro or something like that?

4) Stupid question, but the Mighty Mouse can right click as well, right?

5) If you run Windows XP using Boot Camp, it's going to be almost (if not exactly) the same as running Windows XP by itself, right?

6) I heard that the Mighty Mouse is very hard to use for beginners. Is that true? If so, is it recommended that I buy another mouse? Will normal Logitech mouses work for a Mac Pro?


Thanks!

No offence, but you don't deserve a Mac Pro...


...sorry, it's the jealousy talking.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Get the ATi x1900 XT video card, you wont regret it.