Best video card to buy right now?

[Detosx]

Here are a couple of reviews, showing that the 3870 is the fastest Core Image card at the moment on Mac.

http://www.barefeats.com/harper16.html

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/ATI_38...mp2008macosapps

Of course you only need that kind of graphics power if you are using intensive Core Image programs, like Apple's Motion, which has GPU accelerated effects. Like you say, if you're not gaming, a 7300 with run OS X perfectly and as smoothly as any card.

Ah, I was researching it with a Vista/games hat on. Interesting. How about in video work in general? Perhaps my budget, a final stop gap between now and getting Apple hardware better than my Mac Minis, would be better spent on a better processor.

 

Games are an attraction for me, though, and I would be using Vista on occasion.

[Mac Miser]

I'm a total newbie with no experience in building a Hackintosh, but after reading through dozens of GPU reviews and Hackintosh build instructions, and scouring NewEgg customer reviews (soooo many hours reading...), I reached the conclusion that you can't beat this card (512 MB 8800GT OC@700MHz) for the money ($135). Apparently on a well-equipped machine (Q6600/E8400 or overclocked E7200 with a couple gigs of RAM), it can run Crysis at 1920x with highest video settings at a playable framerate (20-35fps). I'm not sure how much more power you need than that!

 

/me ducks behind the flame-resistant noob shield

[nigelbb]

I'm a total newbie with no experience in building a Hackintosh, but after reading through dozens of GPU reviews and Hackintosh build instructions, and scouring NewEgg customer reviews (soooo many hours reading...), I reached the conclusion that you can't beat this card (512 MB 8800GT OC@700MHz) for the money ($135). Apparently on a well-equipped machine (Q6600/E8400 or overclocked E7200 with a couple gigs of RAM), it can run Crysis at 1920x with highest video settings at a playable framerate (20-35fps). I'm not sure how much more power you need than that!

 

/me ducks behind the flame-resistant noob shield

Not a flame as such but you are commiting the error of taking the performance of a card with a Windows only game & thinking that card is a good choice for OS X. In fact this card at $30 will beat that 8800GT in OpenGL graphics on OS X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102755

 

Ah, I was researching it with a Vista/games hat on. Interesting. How about in video work in general? Perhaps my budget, a final stop gap between now and getting Apple hardware better than my Mac Minis, would be better spent on a better processor.

 

Games are an attraction for me, though, and I would be using Vista on occasion.

This 2600XT that I just found at $30 is a hell of a bargain for OS X & a pretty decent performer in Vista. You http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102755

 

I found such a good bargain on a fanless 2600XT card that I bought two but have sadly found it impossible to set up both cards together whereas I have no problems at all with mixing 'n' matching various pairs of 7xxx series cards.

 

 

Detosx, sorry I just noticed that you are quoting prices in pounds so ordering from Newegg isn't an option for you. How about one of these 2600s for between 40 & 50 pounds? http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-94-336-0 The money saved would be much better spent on upgrading your processor or adding RAM.

[Mac Miser]

Not a flame as such but you are commiting the error of taking the performance of a card with a Windows only game & thinking that card is a good choice for OS X. In fact this card at $30 will beat that 8800GT in OpenGL graphics on OS X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102755

 

This 2600XT that I just found at $30 is a hell of a bargain for OS X & a pretty decent performer in Vista. You http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102755

 

You make an excellent point, and I should qualify my statement. If you intend to play newer 3D games on OS X, the 8800GT will outperform the 2600 by about 300%, as these Mac Pro benchmarks show. If you intend to play these games, I stand by my belief that the 8800GT linked above is the best value for the money, as it can play these games at 1920x1200 at a playable frame rate.

 

However, for basic functions and Core-Image-based applications, the 8800GT and the 2600 XT are essentially equally powerful, as these Mac Pro benchmarks show. So, if you don't play games, heed the foregoing advice and get yourself a cheapie 2600 XT -- it'll get the job done very nicely. Just know that it can't handle the newer 3D games at playable rates, and even for older games like Doom 3, it is only really playable at 1280x1024 (which is still a nice looking resolution, just not on a 24" monitor).

 

There is also speculation in various threads around the internet that the 8800's performance on OS X will improve as the drivers are updated -- apparently 10.4.3 boosted 8800's performance by 15-30% in various applications.

[vbetts]

This 2600XT that I just found at $30 is a hell of a bargain for OS X & a pretty decent performer in Vista. You http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102755

 

o_O A 2600XT with GDDR2 memory? You're basically getting an overclocked Pro version, but still a great deal for under $50.

[kai920]

Can experts weigh in on what is the most-compatible / fastest card one can buy now for OS X and Windows gaming, as of October 2008?

 

I was looking at the wiki. 8800GT seems like a good bet? (8800GTS is out of my budget)

 

ATI 3850 seems to work as well, but don't think it is sufficient for 19x12 gaming on the HL2 engine.