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Matty2Phatty
07-13-2007, 02:00 AM
Hello everyone. I realise there are threads similar to this already, but I'm having a bit of trouble understanding it all jumping from thread to thread so I'm going to try to post my query here anyway.

My design business is about to upgrade our gear, and we need to make some decisions on the hardware... unfortunately we're all designers and none of us are too clued in on the technical side of things.

We're looking at getting : Mac Pro with 2 quad-core 3gHz Intel Xeons, 8 GB RAM, 750 GB HDD.

The problem I have is with the graphics cards and the monitor.

The choices available are : NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, 2x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, 3x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, Radeon X1900 XT, and NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500

And for the monitor : Apple Cinema Display 20" Flat Panel, 23" HD Display or 30" HD Display.

My first thought is to get the Quadro and a 20", but I have no idea if it's worth the extra $3k (AUD) for the graphics card, and I have no idea what the advantage is of an HD Display monitor. Anybody able to point me in the right direction?

The computer will be used ONLY for Maya, Photoshop, Final Cut Studio.
barrymcw
07-13-2007, 06:44 AM
Output of your studio is what? Meaning are you a print shop, web shop, broadcast design shop, vfx shop, etc.?

If you're not a print shop, save money on the monitors and buy a bunch of Dell 24"-ers. The Apple monitors are great, but not worth the money, IMHO, unless you need spot-on print calibration or if you're doing lots of compositing.

RE gfx cards, does everyone in the shop do lots of Maya? As far as I know, you don't need crazy-uber cards for FCP & Photoshop. Maybe get one box with a Quadro and get single 7300's in the other boxes.

Hope this helps at least a little bit.
beaker
07-13-2007, 08:08 AM
If you use Motion, Color or Maya a lot, I would get the Quadro(they are heavy gpu apps). Otherwise just go with the Ati X1900. Also if you plan on running dual 23" or 30" in the future with those apps, then you definitely want the Quadro.
dan1el
07-13-2007, 08:52 AM
agreeing with Beaker...Quadro it should be
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