[webraider]

I'm thinking about upgrading the stock NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT that came with my 2007 MacPro for either the ATI Radeon HD 4870 or GeForce GT 120. I'm assuming that the Radeon is a better card right? I'm actually happy with the current card I have as I don't do gaming but I may be doing more HD video work. I also want the ability to add a new Apple Display. I noticed that the GeForce GT doesn't have a fan so it seems it may be quieter and take less energy than the Radeon HD. I do audio recording too so this may be a better option. Is the difference significant between the two? Will I see substantial improvement over my current card? I've already verified that both cards will work on a 2007 MacPro.

[P]

The 4870 is certainly a better card, and much faster than the 7300. It is quite power hungry, however.

[webraider]

Originally Posted by P 

The 4870 is certainly a better card, and much faster than the 7300. It is quite power hungry, however.

How does it compare to the Geforce GT 120? I Know it's probably faster but I guess I'm asking if the 4870 would be over kill compared to the 120.

[P]

One way of looking at it is with a chart like this - cards on the same level are roughly as fast. The Radeon 4870 is on tier 4 - still a very fast card, but not the fastest anymore. The Geforce GT 120 is a rebadged Geforce 9500 GT (DDR2), which you will find on tier 15, if my math is correct - a low end card, now a generation or two behind the cutting edge. The Geforce 7300 is a further 4 tiers down, on tier 19 - also low end, and a further 2 generations behind.

In my opinion, moving from a Geforce 7300 to a 9500 is a too small step to bother with. If you think the 4870 is overkill, save your money.