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DeathMan · Feb 14, 2003, 03:11 PM

I've got a dual 500, with a 16MB ATI Rage Pro in it. ASP says its AGP, but I don't know what speed.

I want a new graphics card, cause this is just rediculous. I can't even get quartz extreme.

The 9000 is a little bit cheaper, but the 8500 seems a little better.

Are there any issues I should be aware of with my specific machine? I've got an Apple CTR display (one of those clear ones) with the ADC connector on it, and I'm looking to get a 20" cinema. Man those are nice. Figured I'd want to upgrade the video card if I'm going to get that many pixels.

Is the 8500 even a good solution for the 20" display? Or do I need to pop for the Ti or wait for the 9700? Any advice from those in the know?

D'Espice · Feb 14, 2003, 04:42 PM

The Radeon 8500 MAC Edition doesn't even have ADC, so I guess that's pretty much out of question. The Radeon 9000 does, plus they're pretty much the same, the Radeon 8500 is a little faster in 3D applications like games.

lars-man · Feb 14, 2003, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by DeathMan:
I've got a dual 500, with a 16MB ATI Rage Pro in it. ASP says its AGP, but I don't know what speed.

I want a new graphics card, cause this is just rediculous. I can't even get quartz extreme.

The 9000 is a little bit cheaper, but the 8500 seems a little better.

Are there any issues I should be aware of with my specific machine? I've got an Apple CTR display (one of those clear ones) with the ADC connector on it, and I'm looking to get a 20" cinema. Man those are nice. Figured I'd want to upgrade the video card if I'm going to get that many pixels.

Is the 8500 even a good solution for the 20" display? Or do I need to pop for the Ti or wait for the 9700? Any advice from those in the know?

If you look for best performance you should get the 8500. It's a little bit faster than the Radeon 9000, but the 8500 does not have an ADC port, which is required by the Apple LCDs. So you also would have to buy an adaptor from DVI to ADC (not very cheap - have a look at AppleStore). But both cards will work fine in your Dual G4/500. I would not wait for the 9700 because the rest of the system (cpu, system bus, ram) is to slow in order to use the 9700 at it limits (and too expensive, too).

Lars

-------------
just a german student - not very good in english at all

DeathMan · Feb 14, 2003, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the quick suggestions. I thought if I waited for the 9700, I would be in good shape for when I got a new tower, but that won't be happening for quite some time, so why spend the extra money.

Looks like I'll be getting the 9000. I don't do a whole lot of gaming. Starcraft is my guilty pleasure, which my current card handles just fine.

Thanks for the heads up.

Peter753 · Feb 14, 2003, 08:13 PM

I'm thinking of upgrading from a rage128 myself. Anyone know where I could pick up a Radeon8500 or 9000 cheap?

derekn · Feb 14, 2003, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by Peter753:
I'm thinking of upgrading from a rage128 myself. Anyone know where I could pick up a Radeon8500 or 9000 cheap?

You can trade it in direct to ATI and get the 8500 for $150:
http://mirror.ati.com/shopati/traderebate/tradeup.html

Only catch is they have to receive the old card within 10 days.

madsenj37 · Feb 15, 2003, 02:41 PM

I went to Pricewatch.com and found this website, EMS Computing. Radeon 9000 Mac for $152 and the Radeon 8500 Mac for $175. Dont do the trade up program, you can sell your old card or keep it for a second monitor if its pci. I have a Radeon 8500 and it owns.

madsenj37 · Feb 15, 2003, 02:43 PM

Also, I have the non - LE Radeon 8500 Mac and it has both vga and adc monitor connections, just make sure you are not getting the LE version.