Mac mini Graphics capabilities

Thank you for your answers. I've read the information on your links and read more information regarding the GMA 950 from there (I'll post some more links bellow to those interested in the subject). I still don't have an answer to my question, but thats my fault. The entire picture is as follows.

I've recently upgraded to the new Adobe CS3 suite . My old Powerbook G4 Titanium (876Mhz) was just to slow, so I "borrowed" my wife's Mac mini G4 (1.42 Ghz), she wasn't using, and bought a Brand new 20' Apple Cinema Display. With the processor boost all the CS3 applications are "usable" except the new Photoshop Extended 3D features. When I try to open a 3D file in Photoshop I get a message saying that my "video card does not meet the requirements for hardware accelerated rendering. All 3D will be rendered with software only." and that is veeeeery slow.

So, A: I really want to incorporate (my old) 3D files in my layouts and illustration work and B: Buying a MacPro is not an option, for the moment. ( C: I Love my new Cinema Display)

I see two options, buy the new Mac mini C2D 2.0Ghz (beefed up to 2Gb ram), that I prefer, or upgrade my old Powermac G4 350Mhz with the OWC 2.0Ghz G4 processor upgrade, plus a new ATI RADEON 9200 128MB (PCI) and a more ram. The second option is cheaper, but the idea of messing about with the Mac's insides does not appeal to me.

My hope is that someone has already used the Photoshop Extended 3D features on a new Mac mini. If not, your informed opinions will be helpful.

Bellow are some more links related to this subject (some good, some bad)

http://www.macworld.com/2006/03/opinion/minigraphics/index.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1821808,00.asp

Thanks again

Rom

I've been there. I can't find anything in the Adobe forums, nor in the Photoshop Extended product page or any other place on the Adobe site. They don't seem to have a specifications page when it comes to 3D rendering requirements anyware. Still, what you said about the programmable GPU gives me hope.

About the Radeon, you're right (I should have checked). There goes option number 2. I don't think the Powermac can handle anything more powerful (because of the 200-watt power supply, so they say from OWC)

Thanks

Rom

I've just been reading the ATI (now AMD) Radeon 9200 product page, and the specs they published should be sufficient for most 3D applications and games.

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9200/index.html

In Photoshop Extended, it's just not enough (on the mini)... is it the 32Mb VRAM?

Anyone uses a RADEON 9200 128MB MacEdition PCI with 3D apps?

Great news. This was what I was looking for. I'll check the Macbook forum, but I think my mind his set. This solves my question, thank you Will.

I'm trying to give "Helpful" and "Solved" marks with the buttons on the tread page, but I keep getting to an error page. The apple discussions forum seems to be having some trouble with retribution.

So, thanks to everybody who helped.

Rom

That is for sure. I have 1Gb now on the Mac mini G4 and with Illustrator and Photoshop working at the same time things slow down a bit. The extra ram and the new processor are going to make a big difference.

Rom

PS. How do you quote the post you are responding to. I haven't figured that out, yet... 🙂 I'm sure that box effect must be automatic.

select the text from the message you are replying to, and copy. In your reply message box, type a '>' character

Cool. Thanks