Best GPU for Mac OS 9 & X with modern support

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Level 2

230 points

Best GPU for Mac OS 9 & X with modern support

Hi!

Looking forward to the upgrading of my Digital Audio PowerMac G4 533;
Wondering what the best GPU for Dual-booting into Mac OS 9 and X is that will support most up-to-date processes, such as Quartz Extreme and Core image while still being able to get support from it booting into Mac OS 9, as I plan to boot into at least Panther 10.3.x also. Are there GPU options for this available from ATi and nVIDIA? My current card is GeForce2 MX, 32 MB, AGP.

Thanks! 🙂

-Mike

eMac 2004, 2GB, Tiger 10.4.11 & B&W 400, Rev.2, ATI 9200 Mac ver., Mac OS 9.2.x, , 1GB

Posted on Jun 6, 2009 6:26 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jun 6, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Learning___

Hi-

All cards that support Core Image only provide basic graphics (no hardware acceleration) in OS 9.
This is usually not an issue though.

The Radeon 9800 Pro works well for both.
I use a flashed Geforce 6800 GT in a Quicksilver, which supports OS 9 graphics fine, and is a great performance card in OS X.

Many flashed cards, especially Nvidia cards, require OS X versions later than 10.3.6. Some need 10.4x.
The Radeon 9800 Pro works well with earlier OS X versions (10.2x).

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Answer 2

Learning___ Author

Level 2

230 points

Jun 6, 2009 7:57 PM in response to japamac

Hi!

Thank you, japamac!

Are there any hacks to enable 3D graphics acceleration for these
cards (Radeon 9800 Pro & nVIDIA Geforce 6800 GT) in Mac OS 9?
Would these cards have lower performance than my Radeon 9200 Mac Edition 128 MB, in
Mac OS 9.2.2 on my G3 B&W in 3D graphics acceleration?

Are there any performance scales out there to show these cards compared in Mac OS 9
to others in 3D performance?

Also, is it both the 128 MB and 256 MB Radeon 9800 Pros that support Mac OS 9?
(I've only ever purchased the Radeon 9200 Mac Edition, so I'm new to this)

Thanks! 🙂

-Mike

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jun 6, 2009 8:12 PM in response to Learning___

Hi-

You're welcome!

Are there any hacks to enable 3D graphics acceleration for these cards (Radeon 9800 Pro & nVIDIA Geforce 6800 GT) in Mac OS 9?

To my knowledge, no one has seen the need to provide an extension, driver, or what not, to gain hardware acceleration with latter generation cards in OS 9.

You could use your Radeon 9200 PCI card in OS 9 to gain some hardware acceleration.
It will coexist with a 9800 or such in the AGP slot.

Are there any performance scales out there to show these cards compared in Mac OS 9 to others in 3D performance?

Do you have a specific program need?
Because, if only for basic OS 9 operation, there really isn't a problem with latter generation cards.
Example:
I use a OS 9 compatible CAD program, Vectorworks.
Whether boot in OS 9, or run in Classic (most common) I have excellent 2D/3D performance with the 9800 Pro and the Geforce 6800.

As for games, most all games have an OS X update or counterpart, and that is the way to go.
I have not run into a graphics issue with any OS 9 game and the two cards which I use.

Also, is it both the 128 MB and 256 MB Radeon 9800 Pros that support Mac OS 9?

Except for the VRAM, the cards are identical. Either will function just fine in OS 9, and either will provide Core Image support for Tiger and Leopard.

There isn't a need to spend a lot more for the 256MB version, though.
Testing shows the cards to be equal, with the 128MB version actually being slightly faster in certain applications.

If shopping for a 9800 Pro, there are real Mac Editions, which run $200+, or there are flashed 9800s (converted PC cards). These flashed cards run around $90-$100, and offer performance identical to the real card.

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Answer 4

Learning___ Author

Level 2

230 points

Jun 8, 2009 12:13 PM in response to japamac

Hi!

{quote}"You could use your Radeon 9200 PCI card in OS 9 to gain some hardware acceleration.
It will coexist with a 9800 or such in the AGP slot."{quote}

That's new to me! How would my booting into Mac OS X know which card to choose to use? Same with Mac OS 9(?)

{quote}"Do you have a specific program need?"{quote}

Yes! I like playing some older 3D accelerated Mac OS 9 only games that haven't been carbonized for X.
So, it would be nice to get the best of the best. Though I'm not sure I'll use the 9200 for the G4 too. Any other top-of the line 3D deluxe cards for the G4 you suggest other than the Rage 128 (Which I could use also, as I have it) for Mac OS 9 and my G4 DA?

{quote}"Because, if only for basic OS 9 operation, there really isn't a problem with latter generation cards.
Example:
I use a OS 9 compatible CAD program, Vectorworks.
Whether boot in OS 9, or run in Classic (most common) I have excellent 2D/3D performance with the 9800 Pro and the Geforce 6800." {quote}

I'll be using PS for OS 9, Acrobat, DVDs, and other types of graphic intensive educational games while booted in Mac OS 9. I REALLY like Mac OS 9 as it's not as distractive as Mac OS X. That's probably why I'm so interested in getting the best performance, of course. 🙂 I need to be productive mostly. So, I'm interested! 🙂

Thank you!

-Mike

Message was edited by: Learning+

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Answer 5

Learning___ Author

Level 2

230 points

Jun 9, 2009 10:21 AM in response to japamac

Hi! japamac,-

Hello,

How about the nVIDIA Geforce4 Ti4600, 128 MB VRAM?
I've read this is the best for Mac OS 9 and nice for OS X too???

-Mike

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Answer 6

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jun 9, 2009 1:47 PM in response to Learning___

Hi-

Yes, the Ge4Ti is a very good card for OS 9.
It doesn't have Core Image support, nor later Open GL support, so will provide basic graphics in OS X.

If OS 9 is fine for you (as it is for many) the Ge4Ti is a good choice.

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