I'm considering buying a stock 2.66 GHz Mac Pro. Is the standard 7300 GT video card OK? I'm not a gamer and I won't be using any 3D software -- just want a reliable, fast machine for home use.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Standard video card OK?
- Thread starter elperroabando
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes. OK.
The vast majority of non-game programs will not benefit measurably from higher end video cards.
The vast majority of non-game programs will not benefit measurably from higher end video cards.
I take it you're not planning on hooking up a couple of 30" to it then?
If not, it's still a fine card as the others have said.
If not, it's still a fine card as the others have said.
What do you mean by graphics intensive apps?
I do a lot of Photoshop/Quark/InDesign/Fireworks etc work. Do you mean those, or Final Cut etc?
Those program so my knowledge are all CPU intensive apps. When I say graphics intensive I am meaning anything that uses the GPU for processing. This can be anything like games, or some Rendering programs use the GPU. I am not sure what programs all use the GPU vs the CPU, but I think blender uses the GPU for some rendering but don't quote me on that.
Those program so my knowledge are all CPU intensive apps. When I say graphics intensive I am meaning anything that uses the GPU for processing. This can be anything like games, or some Rendering programs use the GPU. I am not sure what programs all use the GPU vs the CPU, but I think blender uses the GPU for some rendering but don't quote me on that.
Cheers!
The majority of those are CPU bound 2D applications. You "might" want it for Motion across multiple 30" screens.
Otherwise the stock card is more then enough for what you plan to run. It'd be a better investment to get more RAM then a better GPU.
I even do some gaming (UT2004, FS2004, FSX) and the stock 7300GT is plenty good enough for me.
I'd also recommend investing in at least 2GB of RAM if you can, as opposed to a video card upgrade.
I'd also recommend investing in at least 2GB of RAM if you can, as opposed to a video card upgrade.
Yes the 2gb would be something that is worth it. I bought mine with 1 gb. At first I thought well I am surviving with 768 mb of ram on the other machine 1 gb should be fine. But now that I have a system that actually has the CPU power to do what a want, I am using alot more applications at one time and now I am running out of RAM. So my next upgrade will be RAM......but I am out of money.....
I would definitely get more ram.
I bought the MacPro with the ATI x1900xt and 1gb of ram and wasn't really impressed but when I upgraded to 2gb I was amazed at the speed. I do alot of 3d rendering using Maya which is while I upgraded the GPU but I noticed a big jump in things like photoshop, illustrator, and even just booting the machine with 2gb of ram so that is definitely worth the upgrade over the GPU upgrade.
With only 1gb of ram you dont get the full data processing abilities of the computer. It requires 4 dimms to be used in order to get the 256bit data path.
I bought the MacPro with the ATI x1900xt and 1gb of ram and wasn't really impressed but when I upgraded to 2gb I was amazed at the speed. I do alot of 3d rendering using Maya which is while I upgraded the GPU but I noticed a big jump in things like photoshop, illustrator, and even just booting the machine with 2gb of ram so that is definitely worth the upgrade over the GPU upgrade.
With only 1gb of ram you dont get the full data processing abilities of the computer. It requires 4 dimms to be used in order to get the 256bit data path.
m3henn04 what version of maya are you running, on the mac or windows or linux using bootcamp.
also if you are using bootcamp are you running 64 bit OS's?
wondering because running on my mac pro under windows with the 7300, I have been wanting to upgrade the graphics card, but I was holding out for a better nvidia offering, which as it
however with janurary approaching soon (and mac updates abound) I was also dealing with holding off until then, but I cant really play any games if I do.
I havnt bothered installing any of my pc games (bf2, unreal, hl2) or buy any new pc games (bf 2142 or guild wars nightfall)
has anyone played these games with either the 1900 or the 7300?
i have 3 gigs of ram, and run dual acd 23inch
also if you are using bootcamp are you running 64 bit OS's?
wondering because running on my mac pro under windows with the 7300, I have been wanting to upgrade the graphics card, but I was holding out for a better nvidia offering, which as it
however with janurary approaching soon (and mac updates abound) I was also dealing with holding off until then, but I cant really play any games if I do.
I havnt bothered installing any of my pc games (bf2, unreal, hl2) or buy any new pc games (bf 2142 or guild wars nightfall)
has anyone played these games with either the 1900 or the 7300?
i have 3 gigs of ram, and run dual acd 23inch
screw it, i went ahead and bought it, im tired of waiting.
overnight shipping is just 16 bucks.
i just hope you havnt experienced no re-draw errors
back when I had my 9800, i had serious re-draw issues and I could not zoom in fully on my ortho's
i switched then to the 6800, and have been using geforce since on windows, and on mac.
i hope this 1900 ati will not dissapoint (though it does suck paying 400 dollars for a year old card)
overnight shipping is just 16 bucks.
i just hope you havnt experienced no re-draw errors
back when I had my 9800, i had serious re-draw issues and I could not zoom in fully on my ortho's
i switched then to the 6800, and have been using geforce since on windows, and on mac.
i hope this 1900 ati will not dissapoint (though it does suck paying 400 dollars for a year old card)