Graphics Card upgrade with ADC

Hi-

I am running OS X 10.5.5, and although performance is OK, I think the computer is struggling with some of the graphic effects. Is this because they use a new framework which is not supported by the GeForce4 MX graphics card I currently have installed?

You need a graphics card that supports Core Image. The Geforce4 MX doesn't.

Will and upgraded graphics card help much? I don't expect a machine of this vintage to do much 'high-end' computing, but I would like the OS to run as smoothly as possible.

I have a flashed Geforce 6800 GT in a 933mhz QS (actually two of each). Leopard runs and looks marvelous.

Can anyone recommend a graphics card which would be both an upgrade over what I currently have, and would offer an ADC connection? Once I know what I am looking for, I can start searching on ebay.

You're pretty much stuck with what you have, since you require the ADC port.
The only way that you can get an improved 4x AGP graphics card, is to get a card with DVI output, and get a DVI to ADC adapter.
Not as elegant as one wire, but, your only real option.

Hi-

The G5 had cards with ADC. However, the 8x AGP slot in the G5 is different than the 4x G4 slot. Though the G4 can use 8x AGP cards with the #3 and #11 pins of the card disabled, these pins are the power for ADC in the AGP slot for the G4.

It's all a problem caused by non standard use of AGP card pins for the ADC port in G4's. G5's saw the AGP slot "return" to the standard for AGP connection protocol.
Consider the ADC port to be a failed Apple experiment.......

For Core Image Support, the Radeon 9600, 9650, 9700, 9800, and X * families all support Core Image.
Geforce cards are the 5200, 6200, 6600, 6800, and 7800 family.

Most cards will only be available as flashed (converted PC) cards, none of which will have an ADC port.

Your best card option, in terms of "real" performance, would be a Radeon 9800 Pro, or flashed Geforce 6800 GT or 7800 GS.

Any card considered must be stated to be Mac compatible, or a Mac Edition. This will mean that the ROM is a Mac ROM, which is different than a PC, and necessary for use in a Mac.

Only the Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition is still offered by retail suppliers.
The 9600 Pro PC and Mac version is also available for MDD G4's and G5's, but should be considered to be a low performance card, though it does support Core Image.

All other card options are best found in "Apple Components" on eBay.

Hi Richard-

I am a little confused as to what is meant by a "flashed" card. Is this a way to make a standard card work with the Mac?

Yes, it's a hack that replaces a "standard" PC cards ROM with that of a Mac. Some cards also require physical mod's, some of which are advanced proceedures.

If I went for the Radeon 9800 Pro, would there be any cooling issues with my Mac?

In the QS, no. However, the fan on the 9800 is notoriously short lived. Replacing the fan with a Zalman VF900-** or VF700-** is a good idea. The Zalman fan cools much better, is longer lived, and is quieter than the OEM Radeon fan.

Flashed cards aren't a problem for the most part. A Radeon 9800 Pro is one of the most successfully used cards.
If you don't know how to flash, buy one on eBay for half the price of a new retail 9800 Pro.
Otherwise, check OWC.

I'd just like the interface to feel a bit smoother and more responsive. Do you think that having hardware support for Core Image will make a difference here?

Yes.

If I went with a Radeon 9800, would I have to cover up any of the connectors on the AGP socket?

If you are referring to taping pins on a flashed Radeon 9800, Yes, #3 and #11. If you buy one on eBay, ask the seller to do it for you. It is easy, though.
If the card is a +Mac Edition+ Radeon 9800 Pro, then there is nothing to do but install the card and go.

but I can get a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 256MB AGP (Mac) for GBP 165.40 (approx. $240). Does this seem like an OK price to you?

The price is OK (bit high, but you're in the UK). Problem is, the 9600 Pro 256MB PC and Mac Edition won't work in a Quicksilver.
As for performance, it is about half the card that the 9800 Pro is. Really, no comparison.

For comparisons sake, these are the listings on eBay UK:
9800 Pro Mac.
I can highly recommend the Hong Kong seller. You may find the taxes/duties and shipping will bring the price to about the same as the 9600 Pro (which you can't use), and will give you a much better performance boost.

I can recommend this guy too.
I bought a flashed nVidia 6200 256mb card from him over a year ago and it is still going well. No problems at all with the transaction, shipping or the card.
I have a 256mb Radeon 9600 in a DA and it is probably on a par with a 128mb Radeon in terms of performance. The 256mb 9800 is so much better.

Stewie