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AssassyN · Aug 3, 2003, 02:54 PM

Well I know when Apple was selling the FW800 Dual 1.42Ghz machines, you could order an OEM Radeon 9700 Pro as a Build-To-Order option, however, they aren't offering that on their "new" MDD G4 PowerMacs, as the GeForce Ti 128MB is the highest BTO they offer. I realize ATI never released a retail version of this card, but aside from eBay (which yeiled no results, surprisingly), can I get this card anywhere?

And also, the RETAIL (non-OEM such as the ones sold in the G5's) Radeon 9800 Pro, will that work in a MDD G4 PowerMac? I've heard something about it not having an ADC output...what outputs does the RETAIL 9800 Pro Mac card have? Thanks!

Angus_D · Aug 3, 2003, 03:21 PM

The 9800 will work.

AssassyN · Aug 3, 2003, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
The 9800 will work.

Thanks, but knowing that, what about it's outputs? Does it have a ADC/DVI output like the GeForce 4 Ti, or a different setup?

And any idea where I can get a 9700 Pro?

Angus_D · Aug 3, 2003, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Thanks, but knowing that, what about it's outputs? Does it have a ADC/DVI output like the GeForce 4 Ti, or a different setup?

According to the specs page, it has DVI and VGA. You know, you could have figured that out yourself.

And any idea where I can get a 9700 Pro?

None whatsoever. eBay is the only option, really.

AssassyN · Aug 3, 2003, 03:40 PM

Argh...I don't understand why the card is labeled "Mac" version when it doesn't even have an ADC output! That's the main "Mac-ish" part about a Mac graphics card. With that card it's impossible to run dual-ADC displays without a $99 DVI-to-ADC adapter and a $299 VGA-to-ADC adapter...ridiculous.

*Sigh* Ah well!

gizzard · Aug 4, 2003, 01:46 PM

You would be surprised at how many people don't have ADC displays. ATI is just catering to the larger portion of the market, and I don't blame them.

Angus_D · Aug 4, 2003, 03:22 PM

Yeah, but having ADC and DVI is better than DVI and VGA.

AssassyN · Aug 4, 2003, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
Yeah, but having ADC and DVI is better than DVI and VGA.

Very true. You can EASILY find a cheap ADC -> DVI adapter, as well as a DVI -> VGA adapter, however trying to make dual ADC displays run off of a DVI/VGA config. is VERY expensive.

gizzard · Aug 4, 2003, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
Yeah, but having ADC and DVI is better than DVI and VGA.

Not if you value the S-video out port.

AssassyN · Aug 4, 2003, 06:29 PM

Anyone buying a Radeon 9800 Pro cares mostly about what's seen on his computer display, such as his 3D games. You lose a tremendous amount of quality and resolution going to a television, and hardcore gamers don't game on televisions. They buy PCI Radeon's for that.

a2daj · Aug 4, 2003, 07:11 PM

I'm glad it has VGA connectors. Adapters always seem to cause issues and there's almost always a certain amount of quality loss which seems to affect the analog displays more than the digital. Why should I have to buy a PCI Radeon just to output to a TV? I like just having one vid card in my system. It's too bad Apple adopted ADC otherwise we wouldn't be having these discussions

I personally thing the biggest Mac-ish thing about Mac cards is being able to work on a Mac

The biggest reason they didn't go to the ADC and DVI output was cost. With the DVI/VGA/SVideo outputs, they could just take an already existing Radeon 9800 Pro design from the PC side and manufacture them for much less than having to completely engineer a whole board layout that would include not only ADC and DVI support but also support for 2x and 4x AGP. The ADC/DVI card for the G5 is an AGP 8X Pro only card and will not fit in older machines.

ATI employee comments

x user · Aug 4, 2003, 07:16 PM

Just find an OEM one in a few months.

AssassyN · Aug 4, 2003, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by x user:
Just find an OEM one in a few months.

OEM ones will *not* work on pre-G5 systems.

Eug · Aug 5, 2003, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
Yeah, but having ADC and DVI is better than DVI and VGA.

IF you have an Apple display. For everyone else, dual DVI-I or for some even DVI-I and VGA would be better. Personally, I don't like spending $$$ for an ADC to DVI converter just to make a standard monitor work (in a dual config).