nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB or ATi Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB x3/4?
Which of the choices for Video Cards would you recomend? I'd look at benchmarks, but unfortunatly many sites don't regard multiple cards.
Which one would you consider better for video games, and/or which one is better for 3D movie programs, etc? Finally, what one is best price vs. efficiency level.
It's not very important, as we're likely getting a iMac anyway, but I'd still like to know none-the-less.
Which one would you consider better for video games, and/or which one is better for 3D movie programs, etc? Finally, what one is best price vs. efficiency level.
It's not very important, as we're likely getting a iMac anyway, but I'd still like to know none-the-less.
Comments
Which of the choices for Video Cards would you recomend? I'd look at benchmarks, but unfortunatly many sites don't regard multiple cards.
Which one would you consider better for video games, and/or which one is better for 3D movie programs, etc?
It's not very important, as I'm likely getting a iMac anyway, but I'd still like to know none-the-less.
8800 GT for both I'm pretty sure. That card is really nice, just below 8800 GTX's.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...1057&chart=312
marked in blue
Radeon HD 2600XT 256 = 788
Geforce 8800 GT 512 = 3099
The benchmarks won't be 100% accurate to the Mac versions but it's a good site for general comparison. Most of the benchmark show the 8800 to be much faster than the 2600 XT. I would go for the 8800GT myself.
overall game fps:
2600 XT = 896
8800 GT = 2125
so the 8800 GT is around 3-4 times faster than the 2600 XT.
3dmark 06:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...1057&chart=312
marked in blue
Radeon HD 2600XT 256 = 788
Geforce 8800 GT 512 = 3099
The benchmarks won't be 100% accurate to the Mac versions but it's a good site for general comparison. Most of the benchmark show the 8800 to be much faster than the 2600 XT. I would go for the 8800GT myself.
overall game fps:
2600 XT = 896
8800 GT = 2125
so the 8800 GT is around 3-4 times faster than the 2600 XT.
In 3 to 5 weeks, when the Mac Pros with 8800 GT cards start shipping, then we can get some comparisons on the quietness levels of the 2 cards (2600 XT/8800 GT).
AMD?ATI is in terrible shape at the moment, not only that, but the 2600XT isn't even in the same league as the 8800. The 3850 maybe, but the 2600 is closer to $100-150 in PC dollars, the 8800GT is double that.
It's just, they're only $50/$100 more, and I see no reason not to get it if it's better. But by the sounds of things, the nVidia 8800 is still better.
Okay, thanks guys. You did understand that I meant 3 or 4 ATi 2600s, right? In SLi? Together?
It's just, they're only $50/$100 more, and I see no reason not to get it if it's better. But by the sounds of things, the nVidia 8800 is still better.
I think Apple takes the source code from ATI, and writes the OSX drivers, but I've used ATI's Catalyst drivers on Vista and Linux, and also their TV Wonder software, and I should've known, never to buy another ATI product after dealing with the TV software years ago...
Nvidia has almost always had pretty good, stable drivers, in Linux and Windows. ATI = bleh. And if you want to run Boot Camp for games, the 8800GT is one of the best out right now.
BTW, I still have the tv card, but use an open-source app, called DScaler instead. Works great with it.
Quad Crossfire would probably beat the single 8800, but I would still go with Nvidia IMO.
I think Apple takes the source code from ATI, and writes the OSX drivers, but I've used ATI's Catalyst drivers on Vista and Linux, and also their TV Wonder software, and I should've known, never to buy another ATI product after dealing with the TV software years ago...
Nvidia has almost always had pretty good, stable drivers, in Linux and Windows. ATI = bleh. And if you want to run Boot Camp for games, the 8800GT is one of the best out right now.
BTW, I still have the tv card, but use an open-source app, called DScaler instead. Works great with it.
Quad Crossfire would probably beat the single 8800, but I would still go with Nvidia IMO.
Okay, thanks.
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, I haven't checked on the recent advancements.
Because the other PCI(express?) lanes are 4x, I believe. Or something like that.
So even if you could rig together a 3 card SLI, I don't think it will be a good experience.
Go for the 8800GT 512MB, it should be decent experience and value for money.