Mac graphics card advice

July 1, 2007 12:38 PM

I need a new graphics card for my G5 2.0Ghz.

My old one went the way of the dalmatian iMac. Tekserve in NYC put in a $300 temporary replacement. I am having a hard time doing the most basic Final Cut or After Effects work. So my question is twofold: If I were to upgrade what card would you suggest? (I'm looking to do low intensity motion/editing work.) Or should I use the money instead towards the purchase of an Intel iMac?

Thanks.

posted by captainscared to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

I have a similar G5 and about a year or so after I bought it, I upgraded to a Radeon X800 XT Mac Edition to be able to drive a better LCD monitor. I think it would be a good fit for your needs. There is a more robust card out there now called the Radeon X1900 G5 Mac Edition that might be a better match for the work you're doing on it.

Be sure to check which specific G5 model you have, as some G5s are different than others and have different specs and requirements.

Nvidia also makes graphics cards for Macs, but I have no experience with them.

Graphics cards are much cheaper to buy than a new Mac, not to mention that by moving whatever your current set-up is to an Intel-based system may eventually lead you to have to replace programs, etc. although currently most major apps are Universal.

Good luck with your decision!
posted by kuppajava at 1:10 PM on July 1, 2007

Best answer: Well, you are looking at an 8x AGP Pro card for a 2ghz G5, unless you got a last model G5, then it is a 16 lane PCI-E card (you can tell the difference if you have a big rubber "bar" on the back of the machine for airport / bluetooth, or the stupid antenna ports).

You really only have one option for each:

If it is a late model G5 the ATI x1900 PCI-E for around $330 http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ATI%20Technologies/100435854/

or

if it is the early G5, the ATI x800 AGP 8x Pro, for $330 or so also http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ATI%20Technologies/100435338/

Those are the "best on the aftermarket" for the G5s currently. The X1900 is a screamer, and i've used its mac pro incarnation and its great. If you have an early G5, i'd just say hold onto your money, and either get a 24" intel iMac with the upgraded graphics card, or save up some more and just go for the mac pro. A base 4x 2ghz model would make some noticable speed improvements, especially if you picked it up with the x1900 and final cut 6.
posted by mrzarquon at 1:15 PM on July 1, 2007

regarding nvidia cards: they are made exclusively for apple, so it's a pain to pick them up. You can buy them from a service depot and get it (nvidia makes the chips, apple actually pays for the custom mac card).

Also, the new mac pros are able to use any graphics card that is EFI enabled and pci-express, so down the line you have a better chance of getting a different card to put in.
posted by mrzarquon at 1:19 PM on July 1, 2007