Mac graphics card - help choosing?

[Rabid pitbull]

Motionbuilder is a very finiky application when it comes to video. It does not play well with ati cards.

[imashination]

Hope someone has had the same situation or experience and can give me some advice:
I'm looking at getting a G5 and am stuck on decisions over whether its better to get a 1.8Ghz with a 9800 Pro card or to go for a 2.0 Ghz with a 9600 Pro (both similar sort of price and at the limit of my budget). I'd get 1 Gig of RAM in each and upgrade the 1.8Ghz to the 160Gb, so they'd be similarly specced. I've had a look on Mash's site and can't see a direct comparison.

The main decision is over what OGL improvement I'd get with a 9800 card on a slower machine versus a 9600 on the faster chip, and in general I've heard mixed views about ATI drivers.

I'd use it mainly for C4D and MotionBuilder - a bit OT but I know some of you have MB experience - how does MB work with ATI cards?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I know this isn't one of your choices, but I would go with the 2 gig and the 9800 card, maybe save up a bit more or get a slightly bigger loan, both are worth it.

[kromekat]

Mash is right - there is a significant benefit in going for the dual 2Ghz over the 1.8, and obviously the 9800 is better (twice the RAM for a start) - But, it makes sense to spend that little bit more on the CPU now - that being the expensive and non upgradable bit!, and if you can, get the 9800 with it.
Otherwise you should get the stock 9600 and upgrade the card to a next gen as soon as they are available (and your budget allows)
And then there is the 2.5Ghz - that's a real leap! .. :)

[alanmac]

Got to agree with both Matt and Kromekats advice. If money is a problem and you have to make a choice then get the lower spec graphics card and a Dual 2 Ghz.

Get the lowest ram and buy additional outside rather than from Apple, but get good stuff I hear there have been problems from poor quality aftermarket ram. Check comments on Apple specific forums.

Like Kromekat said a graphics card swop is easy. Also if I remember from a review the 1.8 has the older spec motherboard which may not allow upgrading of the cpu's. Certainly some issues mentioned.

Putting that to one side, the cost of a graphics card I'm sure will be cheaper than two new cpu's if they ever become available.

Good luck

Alan

[kromekat]

Is it likely that upgraded CPU's would ever be possible in the current high end G5s do you think?

[dsavage]

Thanks for the replies - unfortunately they make total sense. I think I'll be going for the 2Ghz with the 9600 initially with a view to upgrading the card. I'd love to go for the 9800 now but probably a bit out of my price range.

I've emailed Kaydara about the ATI cards issue and will see what they say.

Thanks again - it's quite a big investment and I appreciate the advice.

[alanmac]

Is it likely that upgraded CPU's would ever be possible in the current high end G5s do you think?

Very unlikely Kromekat, that's why I put in a "if" rather than a "when" before the available part.

Even then the news I've been hearing about dual core cpu's for both the PC and Mac may change the goalposts again.

Will they be fitted into the existing motherboards architecture , giving us four processors in one machine, or will it come in the form of a completely new range. Either way it will be hell for those who can't resist more horsepower- hide that credit card now.

all the best

Alan

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