G5/Video card buying advice

[euge04]

I'm looking to get a new dual G5. I know very little about the cards available for the G5. I just know there is a big price difference between the 9600 and the 9800 ATI cards. What kind of performance boost can I see if I spend $350 on the 9800?

I have an old dual 450mhz G4 that I started learning Lightwave on and I'm looking forward to get some speed boosts. The 9600 or the 9800 could decide whether I get a 1.8 ghz dual or a 2.0 ghz dual. Which is better $500 for 400mhz or $350 for a 9800 ATI card?

[toby]

I replaced my dual 450 with a 2x2 G5, couldn't order the 128mb ATI because this was a refurbished model, which saved me $600.

Display speed is almost 10 times faster with the 64mb ATI in a G5 than the G4 with an upgraded card, a 64mb GeForce2. I've heard that the only real benefit from extra mb is for textures, I don't think it would make a huge difference.

We're expecting an announcement from Apple at the end of June, 2.5ghz models. If you can't wait until then I'd consider a refurbished 2x2 - 1 year warranty and qualifies for applecare, just like a new one.

[euge04]

Where can I get a refurbished 2.0ghz computer? How much did it cost?

[toby]

Whoops! The new ones are out today!

But it's not on the front page - you have to go to Store then select G5s.

Go down the Store page and select Deals, this is where the refurbished stuff is.

[euge04]

Looks like the refurbished Macs at this time are the same price as the new G5s. I guess they haven't changed that info yet.

So you don't think the ATI 9800 card is a huge improvement over the 9600? It seems to be able to handle twic the pixels and twice the polygons but since I'm working with such an old system the 9600 is a big improvement?

[toby]

Yea, they probably took down the refurbished G5s for this latest annoucement.

I don't know about the difference from the 9600 to 9800, mine is a 9800 w/64mb. I just don't think it would be worthwhile to spend 350 to get the 9800 with 128mb instead. Also not sure what speed increase you'll get on a dual 450, the main processor speed makes a difference, and your agp port is 2speed compared to 8 on the the G5.

[euge04]

Ok so I think I'm going to go for a dual 1.8ghz with the 128mb 9600 Radeon card. I should definately see a substantial speed increase over my dual 450 G4. I'm currently working on a big model that I have to convert to points just to move the scene around in real-time.

Thanks for the info.

[Cheetah1]

Check this and see if it helps.

http://www.barefeats.com/rad9800s.html

[euge04]

I'm definately going for the 9800 now. Its twice as fast as the 9600. I just want a system that I'm not going to need to upgrade for a good while.

Thanks.

[euge04]

I ordered my new G5 but of course I have to wait 3 weeks for the 9800 Radeon card. I love and hate Apple.