[Lee33]

I'm about to order a new G5 in a week or two. I also getting the 30" monitor. The default graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9650 w256MB DDR SDRAM. Apple says will run the 30" plus one 23" display.

For $350 more you can get the :
ATI Radeon X850XT w256MB DDR SDRAM
or
NVIDA GeForce 6800 GT DDL W256MB GDDR3 SDRAM

Outside of possibly getting faster frame rates for gaming and Quicktime etc., what would my advantage be ordering one of the up-grade cards? Yes, I do play games and enjoy good graphics but am not a gamer.

As graphics cards are out-dated so quickly, would one of the other cards lengthen the amount of time until an upgrade is needed?

FWIW, the reviews on the ATI X850 were VERY high. I didn't see any reviews of the NVIDA.

As always, thanks.

[jamil5454]

The X850 is generally considered a faster, better card for the PowerMacs. Unless you need dual 30"s. Also, the higher-end cards will run Motion and other similar apps significantly faster, so depending on the work you do, you'll probably want to get one. If you're spending that much on a DP PowerMac and 30" display, then an extra $350 won't cause too much an impact.

However, if your work consists mostly of Audio production or 2d graphics, the better cards will go unused. In this case, the RAM is the only thing that matters, and 256mb is plenty for the 30" display.

So, it depends on whether you'll use the card or not.

[Lee33]

Thanks, Jami. As I mentioned, I do play some of the new shooter games but most of my work on the computer is Photoshop. I guess my main concern was that the X850 would "last longer" before it was out dated by something faster. Computer stuff is so quickly surpassed by something better.

[hpence]

The x850 will be in the retail lineup for several years to come. If you buy one now ($350 for an X850 xt is an AWESOME deal, btw) you wont feel outdated until after 4th or 5th generation of intel macs are out running around (graphics card wise, anyways )

I would go for it. For $350 you are getting a graphics card that is nearly 4x faster than stock. Only consider the 6800 if dual 30" displays is on your future road map.

[ihatesuvs68]

First thing: Learn to spell advice.

Second thing: The 9650 will be fine for most things, if you don't want to spend the cash, get it. Also, if noise is a concern, get the 9650, as it is TOTALLY FANLESS. The other cards have fans, thus make more noise. 6800s and X850s and whatnot are VERY powerful cards used for gaming, or 3d modeling. Depending on your financial situation, I'd just get a 9650, and if you find it to be lacking, you could always upgrade down the line.

[Lee33]

Third thing: If you're going to play "forum teacher" and point out others mistakes then may I suggest you go elsewhere. Your comments are not welcome around here, big time!

[bowwowman]

The x850 will be in the retail lineup for several years to come.

Yes, they may still be available for several years, but by that time will have been long surpassed by newer, faster models, like everything else in computer tech

But anyway, for mainly Photoshop work (2D) the upper high end cards would be extremely under-utilized........

[ihatesuvs68]

Originally Posted by Lee33

Third thing: If you're going to play "forum teacher" and point out others mistakes then may I suggest you go elsewhere. Your comments are not welcome around here, big time!

Boohoo. Learn to spell. It isn't that hard.

[Arty50]

Originally Posted by ihatesuvs68

Boohoo. Learn to spell. It isn't that hard.

It's 'Boo Hoo' not 'Boohoo.' Get it straight.

[Lee33]

[ihatesuvs68]

Nah, I checked with the dictionary widget.

[Lee33]

I really love the way insecure and unsociable people hide behind the anonymity of the internet to say and do things they would never even think of doing in public. You are an incredible boor, ihatesucs. You can stay and continue to post to show everyone what a flake you are. That would be cool. OR, consider this........... nah, on second thought, that wouldn't be any fun. Just stick around and post. Pretty soon nobody will respect anything you have to say (it that hasn't already happened).

[Luca Rescigno]

I like how everyone in this thread is overreacting.

The X850XT pwns. But only for 3D stuff (almost exclusively gaming). If you're not doing that, there's no point.

By the way, the gap between the X850XT and the 9650 is huge. The X850XT is 3-4 times as powerful.

[hpence]

I thought this thread was about getting the 6800gt or the x850?

If thats still the topic, get the x850 unless you need 2 30" monitors. Period.

If you dont want to spend the extra $$, the 9650 is still a solid card and will be able to easily handle anything you throw at it 'cept the more modern games and high demand 3d rendering apps.

[Lee33]

Luca and hpence,

Thanks for your posts. I think I'll go with the X850. I really appreciate your input on this.

Lee