[dpicardi]

I'm looking to purchase a refurbed Mac Pro. Not sure I need the 3Ghz model as the performance differences seem to be pretty small.

I'm not a big gamer (anymore), but I'm really intrigued by having a killer graphics card like the 1900XT.

If I buy the 2.66 model refurbed that's not an option and I'm really not interested in installing an aftermarket 1900xt card.

So my question is this. How much of a performance boost will I see for the things I do most (photoshop and other photo manipulation programs (lightroom, capture NX), video editing (imovie for now and likely Final cut HD later) and encoding with the likes of handbrake etc. with a 1900XT card vs a 7300GT provided I have at least 4GB ram?

Thanks for your input.

[Simon]

PS won't gain much from the 1900XT. For some apps the gains can be huge though, and certainly also for 3D games. Handbrake (presently) depends only on the CPU - no gains to be expected there either.



Personally, I'd get the 1900XT because it's a much better overall performer compared to the 7300. If you're on a budget and want to go refurbished you could consider adding a 1900XT later on when you feel the performance gain justifies the effort. That said, getting the card in there is a piece of cake.

[mduell]

X1900XT was pretty hot when it came out, but these days it's well behind the leaders. If you have no immediate need for something better than the 7300GT, I'd take that today and upgrade in the future when an 8800 or similar is available.

The graphics card has no impact on Photoshop/Lightroom/iMovie/Handbrake and even with FCP it's minimal (in Motion, on the other hand, it really matters).

[tomrock]

Aperture is another photo app that takes advantage of a higher-end video card.

Isn't the fan in the 1900 considerably louder than the 7300?

[Phuncz]

In the PC version it is most certainly louder because the cooler needs to dissipate about six times more heat. They dimmed the cooler down on the X1900XT so it runs quiet(er), but this means that it could potentially show graphical corruption due to overheating. My advice is the same as above: wait for upgrading when Apple releases better BTO graphic card options. A Geforce 8600 or HD 2600 would be a safe bet performance wise.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by Phuncz 

In the PC version it is most certainly louder because the cooler needs to dissipate about six times more heat. They dimmed the cooler down on the X1900XT so it runs quiet(er), but this means that it could potentially show graphical corruption due to overheating.

IIRC they also underclocked (as they do with most video cards in Macs) the X1900XT so it produces less heat, which would decrease the chance of getting artifacts.

[tiger]

How does the 7300 perform with casual gaming... strategy such as Age of Empire 3, is it any better than the X1600 in the iMacs, MBPs?

The X1900XT is a killer graphics card but it has proven unstable; overheating, screen tearing and many bugs that have plagged it.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by tiger 

How does the 7300 perform with casual gaming... strategy such as Age of Empire 3, is it any better than the X1600 in the iMacs, MBPs?

The 7300GT is about as fast as the X1600Pro (in Windows, should be about the same in OSX), so it should be a tad faster than the Mobile X1600 in the iMac/MBP.

[dpicardi]

Originally Posted by mduell 

The 7300GT is about as fast as the X1600Pro (in Windows, should be about the same in OSX), so it should be a tad faster than the Mobile X1600 in the iMac/MBP.

Thanks for all the replies. I'd heard reports of overheating too and having to install a cooler fan...not something I really want to mess with though it sounds easy...you'd think it would come with one that did the job right.

For my edification. How does the 7300GT compare to say the Radeon 9800 series? In its day it was a decent card. I'm surprised to hear it is only mildly faster than the laptop card...

Will Core Image be much fast with the 1900XT?

Thanks, I'm leaning toward the 7300GT...

[mduell]

Originally Posted by dpicardi 

For my edification. How does the 7300GT compare to say the Radeon 9800 series? In its day it was a decent card. I'm surprised to hear it is only mildly faster than the laptop card...

Will Core Image be much fast with the 1900XT?

It's hard to find a comparison between two cards seperated by so much time and market segment. The 7300GT is comparable to the X1600Pro or 6600GT; the X800GTO is about 40% faster, so I'd guess the 7300GT is reasonably close to the 9800Pro.

[tiger]

I tested an old G5 and a 7300 Mac and it seems that the 9800 Pro 256vram in the G5 performed better/faster.

[TimmyDee51]

Tested how? I've got a 7300 GT in my Mac Pro, and I think it runs great.

[tiger]

Originally Posted by TimmyDee51 

Tested how? I've got a 7300 GT in my Mac Pro, and I think it runs great.

Trying to run extensive 3D content with a 7300 hooked up to dual 23 inch cinema displays causes a graphics lag. Simulations... etc.

[CatOne]

If you use Aperture, Motion, or play 3D games, then get the 1900. If not, it's not likely you need to pay the extra.