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mkerr64 · Sep 17, 2006, 08:43 PM

I currently have the Mac Pro 2.66 bottom of the line graphics.
i will need to upgrade it.

so what do you suggest? and i will be using a 30inch monitor with it
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512mb?
The Apple Store (U.S.) - ATI Radeon X1900 XT Graphics Upgrade Kit for Mac Pro

i will be using it for:
gaming (perferibly no lagg with optimal quality)
vid editing
perhaps 3d rendering
and so on

thanks

mduell · Sep 17, 2006, 09:29 PM

That's the only real option and it fufils all your needs.

Keep in mind you can't leave the GeForce 7300 in another slot. OSX on Intel does not allow mixing of ATi and nVidia GPUs in one system.

mkerr64 · Sep 17, 2006, 09:44 PM

if i was to purchase an Nvidia i could use both card??

mduell · Sep 17, 2006, 09:46 PM

Yes, but the only higher performance nVidia card is the crazy expensive professional-level Quadro... and you can't even buy it after the Mac purchase (BTO/CTO only).

reader50 · Sep 17, 2006, 10:12 PM

Apple has since modified the video tech note. There is no longer any reference to not mixing nVidia and ATi cards. Presumably, they work fine now.

macgeek2005 · Sep 17, 2006, 10:13 PM

They work fine. You can have both in the computer, and plug in up to 4 monitors. You can't SLI them though....

mkerr64 · Sep 18, 2006, 10:18 PM

so which card would you suggest?

macgeek2005 · Sep 18, 2006, 10:50 PM

Get a Nvidia 7950GX2. It works just fine in Bootcamp.

If you wanna use OS X then get the X1900XT.

rehoot · Sep 21, 2006, 12:41 PM

ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512mb - install tip

I have a ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512mb, and I don't know enough about other cards to give you a comparison, but it works well for me.

I will tell you that it may be tricky to install it. My Mac Pro arrived DOA with the graphics card obviously not in straight (the connections where you attach your monitor cable were sunken into the unit and crooked). This isn't a case of being knocked loose during shipping because it was screwed very tightly in place (in the wrong place).

The trick was to remove the #3 and #4 hard drives (very easy to do, but don't shock them!). I suspect that the Bozo who intalled my card bent the little cover plates that lay flush against the external slot opening where you attach your monitor cable. I had to firmly push the card to the right so that the card would align over the connecter then GENTLY push it into the connector.

The video card is so fat that you can't see the connector as you guide it, but if you shine a really bright flashlight into the core of the computer you can peak through the exterior slot and kind of see the connector (helps if you have 3 hands).