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Video Pros: What video card(s) do you use?
- Thread starter slabbius
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slabbius said:
Well, the graphics offerings for the Mac Pro are currently pathetic. They outright suck. If you can live with the 7300 for a bit, then do until Apple releases some better options. If you need to upgrade soon, then go with the X1900XT, it's the most reasonable choice as it has 2 * dual-link DVI ports and has decent overall performance. I'm not sure why Apple doesn't offer any nVidia options like the 7800GT/GTX or the 7900 series. The FX4500 is great if you have specific needs for it's couple niche functions, but they're asking way to much for it. The upgrade price for the FX4500 when customizing a Mac Pro is about $300 more expensive than that card is in a retail package in PC land these days.
FWIW, we do lots of 3D design/animation work here and video editing (all HD). Oh and I like to play an occasional game too... My G5 quads both have the 7800GT card in them (a shame Apple doesn't offer these currently on the Mac Pro). I have PC systems with all sorts of graphics cards, but that's neither here nor there as we're at Apple's mercy. I'd love to recommend a system with two 7952GTXOC dual-GPU cards for quad-SLI goodness to blast through all those 3D games and applications, but Apple doesn't do that.
For now with the Mac Pro, the X1900XT is the best reasonable option -- or compromise, depending on your needs.
BTW, slabbius, I sent you a PM regarding your MBP system for sale... You still have it?
There are only two video card options available for the Mac Pro, although in reality, really just one, since the x1900 is for gamers and the ultra pricey fx4500 is for workstation CAD.