[dopik]

Hi,

Many people complains about the new iMac because it has only 64 Mo of Video RAM? I am considering buying one but I would like my questions about RAM in graphic cards to be answered first.

First, I thought that RAM for graphic cards was only useful for games, is that right?

Second, do I need more than 64Mo for my computer usage? I use Office - Word, Excel, rarely PowerPoint - Internet, iTools - iTunes, iMovie - and I never play. I think the last time I play a video game was a decade ago on a Game Boy.

Thanks for your comments.

dopik

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally posted by dopik:


First, I thought that RAM for graphic cards was only useful for games, is that right?

Second, do I need more than 64Mo for my computer usage? I use Office - Word, Excel, rarely PowerPoint - Internet, iTools - iTunes, iMovie - and I never play. I think the last time I play a video game was a decade ago on a Game Boy.

Thanks for your comments.

dopik

Yes, the Video card is really just used for games and 3D work. Even Photoshop doesn't use it all that much.

For the things you are going to use it for you could get away with 8 megs.

[deboerjo]

Beyond 4-12MB (depending on your preferred resolution), more video memory only helps you if you're doing 3d work. However, games aren't the only thing doing 3d anymore. The latest versions of OS X improve 2d performance by rendering the 2d desktop as a 3d scene, offloading graphical work to the graphics card. This acceleration requires at least 16MB (32MB optimally).

That said, you certainly don't need more video memory than 64MB currently if you don't intend to game. 3 years from now, though, who knows.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by dopik:
Many people complains about the new iMac because it has only 64 Mo of Video RAM? I am considering buying one but I would like my questions about RAM in graphic cards to be answered first.

Don't get confused by all the rants about the iMac's graphics card.
As long as you are not looking for 3D intensive games or software, you'll be more than fine.

If you are a Doom FPS junkie, you'd better get a PC.
For everything else, the iMac G5 is an excellent choice !

-t

[bradoesch]

Video RAM was a big issue for anyone with the first iMac. It shipped with 2 MB of VRAM and couldn't display millions of colours at 1024x768. You had to settle for thousands of colours or drop the resolution to 800x600 to get millions. You could pop in a 4 MB module to get 6 MB total.

No days it's mostly about 3D games and running 2 monitors (spanning and not mirroring).

[Minch_Yoda]

i agree that a majority of the GFX cards coplaints are from gamers or people who plan on using this as there main comp for 4+ years the complaints arent about the 64mb vram its the 5200 ultra card itself