[darkpilatus]

Hey everyone,
I have a question about the current Mac Pros and the possible upgrades, also the display moniters. Im a new graphic artist mainly working with software like Photoshop and Painter. I also do some gaming (battlefield 2) but not a lot. I had been looking at delving into a Mac Pro because frankly I want to throw my toshiba thru a window. I was looking at the Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core model with 2GB RAM, 250GB harddrive and the 2 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB card. I was also looking at getting Apples 23 inch display. Im not super smart when it comes to computers, software i can do just not the hardware. My questions are these
with the possibility of the quad core units coming out soon is it worth waiting for them or is the unit im looking at going to be ok. I want a computer that isnt going to be slow while working on these RAM hungry programs.
Also Ive read that the ATI Radeon 1900 is a good card should I go with that one.
If any graphic artists are looking at this is it worth dropping the grand on the MAC display or is there an equally capable or better unit by another compant out there, for the same or lower price.
Now I know its possible Im grabbing at a computer that is more than I need but Im not sure thats why Im asking you guys. Anyway thanks for all that post help.

[MaxPower2k3]

So what is your question?

Aside from that, based on your proposed specs, downgrade from the 3GHz to the 2.66GHz processor (the extra little bit of speed is not worth the money; put that money into a RAM upgrade for the machine). Lose the second 7300GT (the only advantage to having two graphics cards is support for more than two monitors. If you're only getting one or two displays, you only need one graphics card.) If you think you'll play a lot of games on it, you could replace the two 7300GTs with the Radeon 1900XT and get considerably better performance in games. Otherwise, a single 7300GT would yield decent gaming performance. The 23" Cinema Display is a nice monitor for graphic design.

[bowwowman]

agreed.......get the 2.66 w/the Radeon, minimal ram & HDD, then buy 2-4GB of ram and 500GB+ of HDD elsewhere........

If you can afford the ACD, go for it, they are absolutely beeutifull.......but there are other monitors out there that are (technically) almost as good, just w/o the slick apple looks........like the Dell & ViewSonic 20/24/30" widescreens, for alot less $$

[MaxPower2k3]

Depending on how serious he is about graphic design, the cheaper Dell/Viewsonic/Samsung screens may not offer the level of color reproduction he wants. While the Apple ones are not really top-of-the-line, they do have higher-quality panels and image processing that produces more accurate color. This may not matter to him, however, in which case your suggestions are good; a big, nice LCD can be had much cheaper than the Apple screens.

[mduell]

I'd suggest buying the 2.66Ghz model (333Mhz isn't worth $800), the 160GB hard drive (for the amount Apple gives back on the downgrade you can buy a new 250GB), 1GB RAM, and the X1900. Then add 2-4GB RAM from a third party.

I think the quads are worth waiting. The X1900 is good for games.

Why are you thinking of buying 2 7300s? Do you have more than two monitors?

I'd buy a different brand of LCD. Dell's 24" is nice, and much cheaper.

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3 

Depending on how serious he is about graphic design, the cheaper Dell/Viewsonic/Samsung screens may not offer the level of color reproduction he wants. While the Apple ones are not really top-of-the-line, they do have higher-quality panels and image processing that produces more accurate color.

I thought that myth died when Anandtech opened up the 20" Dell and 20" Apple and showed the world that that panels were the same make/model.

[darkpilatus]

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3 

Lose the second 7300GT (the only advantage to having two graphics cards is support for more than two monitors. If you're only getting one or two displays, you only need one graphics card.)

Im actually working with the moniter i decide on and a WACOM Cintiq touch display tablet

[Sub]

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3 

While the Apple ones are not really top-of-the-line,

What would you call top-of-the-line?

[new2me]

Originally Posted by Sub 

What would you call top-of-the-line?

Try these...

[MaxPower2k3]

Originally Posted by mduell 

I thought that myth died when Anandtech opened up the 20" Dell and 20" Apple and showed the world that that panels were the same make/model.

I thought Apple used some kind of higher-quality backlight and better image processor, but I could be wrong.

And, to Sub, LaCie and Eizo both make higher-quality LCDs than Apple.