[alexjdb]

I'm considering the purchase of a 2GHz Mac Pro. I'd just like to know if the video cards need a special firmware or such to work on the mac (like it was on the G5), because I might add a monster 8800GTX in a couple of months in it... (for CRYSIS ) Do you think Apple will offer it as a BTO option ? Or will Nvidia offer a mac version ?

Thanks for your replies,
alexjdb

[Mac Write]

Yes all Mac video card needs Mac firmware. Buy the X1900 is a sweet video card. If your only getting the 2GHZ, the iMac will be faster (but less expandable). I would recommend the 2.66GHZ. short/long term it is a much better value.

[BigBadBiologist]

Well, I haven't seen any info on Crysis being ported to OSX (I'll admit I haven't looked so it may be). So if you're planning on using XP, you can just use a regular PC 8800GTX. You just have to swtich the monitor cable over when you want to go from OS X to XP.

[alexjdb]

You say the iMac would be faster. I know the proc runs at 2.33GHz, but doesn't the Mac Pro have 2x2GHz processor ?

The X1900 is too much expensive for now lol...

[alexjdb]

I just checked out the specs for a 24" iMac... So a 2GHz Mac Pro would be a rip-off, right, since I get the same vid card, same hdd space, same RAM, etc. AND A 24" SCREEN for $200 LESS ?

[brokenjago]

But you also get two less processors and no expandability.

That's worth $200 to a lot of people easily.

[mduell]

I think I've read that if you put the 8800GTX (or any other non-Mac ATi/nVidia card) in along with a Mac video card (like the 7300GT), that it will work once you've booted the OS. But I could be confusing that with the non-Mac card working in Windows on a Mac.
Either way, the Mac Pro is overdue for an update; I expect we'll see one in late April or May after the Intel price drops.

The Mac Pro and iMac are two very different machines... two CPUs vs one, upgradeable graphics vs effectively unupgradeable graphics (yes there's a slot, but nothing to stick in it), RAM/drive capacity, etc.

Originally Posted by Mac Write 

Buy the X1900 is a sweet video card.

It can be sweet all it wants, but it's not really competition for the 8800GTX and it won't do Crysis at higher resolutions.

[alexjdb]

I'd run Crysis on XP @ 1680x1050 or even 1920x1200. Do you think Apple would ever release a mac 8800GTX, or at least a GTS ? That would be damn hot .

Anyway, thanks for your replies .

[CatOne]

Obviously, the 8800 won't currently work in OS X. Reports are saying that with Boot Camp, it *does* work when you install NVIDIA's drivers. No real surprise there. The 1900XT is a good and fast card as well -- though admittedly not nearly as fast as the 8800.

Here's to hoping Apple eventually offers it as a BTO or "upgrade" option. Unfortunately, you'll never know until they do it, or they don't :-(

[brokenjago]

I've heard rumors that ATi is designing a variant of their next gen X2800XTX specifically for Apple. It's rumored to use Vapor cooling to minimize noise.

[alexjdb]

X2800XTX - I had forgotten about that. What I had heard is that ATI wouldn't even release a PC version of this card! Thanks for your replies; I think Apple won't have my money until they have the X2800XTX as an option .