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chrismv · Mar 24, 2005, 10:40 PM

I am thinking of grabbing an ATI Radeon 9600 card from OWC (located here FYI) for my father's aging G4 Digital Audio. Does anyone know if Tiger (10.4) properly recognizes the 9600's capabilities in a G4 Digital Audio? Specifically, CoreImage is what I am concerned with. CoreImage supports ATI 9600 fully, but this card is supposed to go in a G5, whereas OWC has flashed them to work in G4s.

Thanks,
Chris

MORT A POTTY · Mar 24, 2005, 11:04 PM

there is zero reason why it shouldn't work.

and just FYI, they don't flash 'em at all.

MacGallant · Mar 24, 2005, 11:06 PM

OWC didn't flash the Radeon 9600 OEM G5 video card, they just made a common minor mod that is commonly used by many on the ' net to the card so it'll work on a G4. And they'll give an 1 year OWC warranty on it.

It'll work properly with G4s, don't get the only for "MDD only" model but get the one for all G4 models.

Tiger should support the Radeon 9600 for CoreImage as it is listed as a supported card.

MORT A POTTY · Mar 24, 2005, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by MacGallant:
Tiger should support the Radeon 9600 for CoreImage as it is listed as a supported card.

there is no list of supported cards. although it will work.

it was on the old list that got taken down quite some time ago.

Tyler McAdams · Mar 25, 2005, 01:06 AM

I thought it was the 9800 on up.

MORT A POTTY · Mar 25, 2005, 04:09 AM

Originally posted by Tyler McAdams:
I thought it was the 9800 on up.

no, it's mainly determined by pixel shaders and features like that only found on higher end cards. By higher end, I mean higher end according to Apple. the GeForce 5200 is the lowest card to support it. the 9200 doesn't though. the base ATI card is the 9600 IIRC.

the list that was posted a while back seems to not really have changed from what I've heard, despite the fact that it was removed.

but I digress, the Radeon 9600 cards do support Core Image/Video.

Tyler McAdams · Mar 25, 2005, 05:17 AM

Ok cool. I'm going to buy the 9800 myself pretty soon. that price at OWC is lower than anything else I've seen! Almost too low.. is there something I'm missing?

MORT A POTTY · Mar 25, 2005, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Tyler McAdams:
Ok cool. I'm going to buy the 9800 myself pretty soon. that price at OWC is lower than anything else I've seen! Almost too low.. is there something I'm missing?

not missing anything, except a chance to only pay 219 bucks instead of 229

http://eshop.macsales.com/Item_Apple...m=ATI100435050

you're welcome.

Tyler McAdams · Mar 25, 2005, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by MORT A POTTY:
not missing anything, except a chance to only pay 219 bucks instead of 229

http://eshop.macsales.com/Item_Apple...m=ATI100435050

you're welcome.

Schweet! You da man!

yikes600 · Mar 25, 2005, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by MORT A POTTY:
there is no list of supported cards. although it will work.

it was on the old list that got taken down quite some time ago.

It's still on Apple's hong kong site if anyone wants to view it: http://www.appleclub.com.hk/macosx/tiger/core.html

They took the list off the U.S. site when the Mac mini was announced. What people don't know can't hurt them, right?

power142 · Mar 25, 2005, 11:17 AM

What feature determines Core Image compatibility? The pixel shader version?

yikes600 · Mar 25, 2005, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by power142:
What feature determines Core Image compatibility? The pixel shader version?

yes

villalobos · Mar 25, 2005, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by yikes600:
yes

How does the 9600 compare to the 8500? Is it much better?

ichris68 · Mar 25, 2005, 10:54 PM

I purchased one of these cards from OWC and it causes kernel panics and ended up reinstalling OS X on my quicksilver dual 800. OWC will say its good and charge you to return it too. Dont buy from them.

Scotttheking · Mar 27, 2005, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by villalobos:
How does the 9600 compare to the 8500? Is it much better?

9600 > 8500

Cadaver · Mar 28, 2005, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
9600 > 8500

9600 >> 8500

omar96 · Mar 29, 2005, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by villalobos:
How does the 9600 compare to the 8500? Is it much better?

Depending on what you're doing, it varies from a little better to alot better. It DOES support core image, according to that link above. The 8500 doesn't support pixel shaders/fragment shaders v2.0, just up to 1.4 (which was a DirectX standard for Windows; not sure if OpenGL supported 1.4, but it DOES support 2.0), so for many recent games, apps like Motion, and Core Image support in Tiger, you'd be in much better shape with the 9600 than the 8500.

MORT A POTTY · Mar 29, 2005, 12:11 PM

if you want to use Motion or games, you might as well spend the little bit extra for the Radeon 9800 Pro.

Amacapart · Mar 31, 2005, 04:00 PM

The ability to be "Core Supported" is based on more than just having Pixel Shaders. It is also necessary to have a FPU unit to do calculations separate from CPU.

The GF3 and GF4 Ti have Pixel shaders and do NOT support Core.

I have tried all of the various cards in Tiger. The FX5200 STRUGGLES with the dashboard splash. 96/97/98 family has a much easier time, much more fluid. The X800 in my G4 BREEZES through it like butter....

On settings that will score 93 fps on a 9800, a 9600XT will do 75+, depending on clocks. 9600 can take MUCH higher clocks than stock. Adding a couple pins & jumper will allow you to put a fan on it and really crank it up.

I have done 2 @ 9600 Pro & 1 @ 9600 XT. I added the ADC tab to all 3 and they worked fine EXCEPT that the power button function on ADC monitors is no longer working. (you have to turn on from G4) The people who got the 9600's were very happy.

But, there are MANY people who have claimed trouble with 9600 in a G4. Would be interesting to know why OWC lists 2 separate versions.

Fairly easy to find 9600 yanked from a G5 on Ebay for around $75. 2 pieces of scotch tape and you are good to go. (usually)

9600 is WORLDS better than an 8500. Faster & makes prettier pictures. Once you see Halo or Doom3 with Pixel Shaders, you won't want to see it without them again.

Theodour · Apr 7, 2005, 03:21 PM

FWIW, I've had the 9600 in my DA 533x2 for a few weeks, and it has run solidly.
My machine won't do deep sleep, though. I don't know if it is the card or what.
I'm used to it, because it didn't do deep sleep before the new card (I had a Rage 128 to blame for that).

My machine has seen so many peripherals come and go, it might be some other conflict keeping it awake.

I like the performance boost it gives, though. Now I need to get a processor upgrade! Uh, but first I'll need a cash upgrade.