MDD G4 1.25GHz 9600 Pro 256Mb ATI Radeon Card is this the best?

Question

Level 1

10 points

MDD G4 1.25GHz 9600 Pro 256Mb ATI Radeon Card is this the best?

I have MDD 1.25GHz want to upgrade to new AGP graphics card and keep running two monitors both Apple Studio Displays (ADC connections?)and if possible get rid of the Apple DVI-I to ADC Adapter current card is ATI 9000 pro (64Mb).

Is this card the best it has dual DVI which is no good for my monitors, how do I get over the connectivity issues?

Really don't want to change monitors as these are still great.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

G4 twin 125 GHz MDD, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 13, 2009 6:06 AM

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Answer 1

Nadav

Level 3

566 points

Mar 17, 2009 1:39 PM in response to G4 MDD

hands down.. the geforce 7800 GS is the best! It even beats the aging 9800 PRO.

Very powerful GPU and runs nicely with Leopard. This is what I use.

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Answer 2

G4 MDD Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 24, 2009 6:04 AM in response to Nadav

Thanks Nadav, this is not listed on invidia's web site is there a current model.?

Also what connection config does it have I have two ADC displays one on an apple DVi - ADC adapter. Thanks

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Answer 3

G4 MDD Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 24, 2009 6:07 AM in response to G4 MDD

Oh, and am i better off with a 2 x DVi card or DVi and VGA, how can i connect ADC to VGA?

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Answer 4

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Mar 24, 2009 8:17 AM in response to G4 MDD

I believe the card that Nadav uses is a card for a PC that's been modified to work in a Mac. You can't buy one at retail new. nVidia does not sell Mac cards as retail boxed products; they are either factory installed or modified later.

The only retail cards are from ATI and there are only two choices. Neither will help you with your ADC monitors.

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Answer 5

G4 MDD Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 24, 2009 9:04 AM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks for your comments. I would consider a card that has DVI out as I have an Apple DVI ADC adapter, I would use this on my main monitoir and maybe a PCI graphics card to run my email/admin monitor, but ebay seems to have PC cards only. Is flashing a PC card hard to do I feel i am reasonably confident to carry out most hardware/software installs. Is there a how to any where? Currently ebay/watching an ATI 9600 256 AGP card with VGA and DVI. i am assuming this would need to be flashed?

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Answer 6

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Mar 24, 2009 10:36 AM in response to G4 MDD

Flashing the ROM on a PC card to make it Mac-usable typically requires the process start on a PC. There are sites around that have instructions--I don't have any bookmarked at the moment. Google "flashing Mac video card" and see what you get. I got this:

Google results

The ATI 9600 is supposed to be a cross-platform card with ROM for both Macs and PCs. However, that only applies if the card is a retail ATI-branded model. If it was a card once sold with a PC, it may not be cross-platform.

I've used only retail ATI cards or the cards that shipped new in a Mac, so my understanding of flashing cards is limited to what others have posted in these forums.

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Answer 7

TTabby

Level 2

292 points

Mar 27, 2009 6:02 AM in response to G4 MDD

I, also had the stock ATI 9000 for years in my old MDD.

I opted for the ATI 9600 Mac Pro after reading many bad stories about the 9800, with it's fans stopping, and the running-hot issues reported. At the same time, I am sure there are still many users here, who still use the 9800 without any issues. They are both much better cards than the 9000. Much better OpenGL support too. (better graphics capabilities) for certain sim-games, CAD, 3D stuff in general. And, no fan needed, although I use a PCI case fan, just in case. I run 2 monitors just fine with it also. Core Image and Quartz Extreme-supported.

The only other card I may consider now is the geforce 7800 GS, as mentioned by "Nadav" but, It may be a bit pricey, and hard to find .

Just my 2 cents, best of luck with it.

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Answer 8

Apr 19, 2009 4:17 PM in response to G4 MDD

I just picked up a BFG 7800gs 256mb Factory oc'd for cheap and flashed it for Mac. It really is a dream card for the MDD FW800.

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