Which Graphics Card for us 2008 Mac Pros?

W

wbrock001

Well-known member
Well FCP X is finally out, but requires me to get a new video card. I see the Nvidia/PNY Quadro 4000 ranges from $750 - $900+, the ATI 5870 $450ish, the ATI 5770 $250ish.

So the question is, which is the smarter route given that only Adobe and blackmagic support CUDA that I know of, all current FCP apps run faster with ATI 5870...but not sure really if FCP X, Motion 5, etc will be better off with CUDA or ATI.

So any insight into the best choice? I don't currently use After Effects or Premiere, but I do own them...really I'm much more Apple software based so which do you all think is a better investment? Thank you!

Bill
 
wbrock001 said:
Well FCP X is finally out, but requires me to get a new video card. I see the Nvidia/PNY Quadro 4000 ranges from $750 - $900+, the ATI 5870 $450ish, the ATI 5770 $250ish.

So the question is, which is the smarter route given that only Adobe and blackmagic support CUDA that I know of, all current FCP apps run faster with ATI 5870...but not sure really if FCP X, Motion 5, etc will be better off with CUDA or ATI.

So any insight into the best choice? I don't currently use After Effects or Premiere, but I do own them...really I'm much more Apple software based so which do you all think is a better investment? Thank you!

Bill
Click to expand...
If you want Adobe integration, you will have to bite the bullet and fork out for the Quadros. Is it worth it? I doubt it is a high performance boost, but I could be wrong. You won't be getting 2x performance or anything.

That being said, if Adobe integration is not your thing, I would bet that the 5770 would do you just fine. I believe it is a 1GB card, which memory will be the most used as opposed to the processor pipelines. Basically, a 5770 will do you great.
 
Thank you, I have the 5770 ordered. I figured its at least a stop gap because I'm sure ATI will be coming out with a new card soon too...lots of hardware due for updates so I agree that spending enough to get by will be fine for now. Thanks again!
 
Actually for anyone reading this, quadro is a huge boost for Adobe workflows...take a look at http://barefeats.com for his Nvidia 4000 performance marks. But again this is only for apps that are optimized for Nvidia's CUDA.
 
Reverend,
Ill post over in here to keep it all in one thread...

I do use Adobe products as well, so how much of a problem will this be? Can I keep my other video card in the machine as well?

I really hope I only need to get a 5770, since I do not have a lot of money right now.
 
DOSMedia said:
Reverend,
Ill post over in here to keep it all in one thread...

I do use Adobe products as well, so how much of a problem will this be? Can I keep my other video card in the machine as well?

I really hope I only need to get a 5770, since I do not have a lot of money right now.
Click to expand...

I would hold of for awhile till the new Mac Pro's come out and we will have new choices for graphics cards. There is a rumor going around that Lion will be able to use PC graphics cards without flashing the firmware. I have already upgraded my 2008 with the 3870 graphics card, but that card doesn't work with opencl or FCP X. :-(


I'm going to wait for Lion, a FCP X update(bug fixes) and new graphics cards before I take the plunge.
 
Anyone install FCP X on an 2008/2009 iMac yet? I believe I have all the specs except the graphics card. I was wondering if there is any solutions for that as well.
 
Chaos123x said:
I would hold of for awhile till the new Mac Pro's come out and we will have new choices for graphics cards. There is a rumor going around that Lion will be able to use PC graphics cards without flashing the firmware. I have already upgraded my 2008 with the 3870 graphics card, but that card doesn't work with opencl or FCP X. :-(


I'm going to wait for Lion, a FCP X update(bug fixes) and new graphics cards before I take the plunge.
Click to expand...
only issue with this idea is the bugs that come with the new operating system. They usually cause more problems than fix issues that already exists.
 
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