You're definitely right, NVidia definitely has better drivers. I actually have used NVidia for PC exclusivly, but am switching over to ATI since it seems I can get better performance for cheaper. Think thats safe to say?
Depends I guess..nVidia is known for releasing updated drivers which allow existing nVidia cards to perform better. nVidia always makes sure to release drivers for Linux, plus I know that Solaris 10 x86 Beta works with my nVidia based laptop.
I did order a 6800 ultra but went back to the 9800xt because of ship dates. I'm currently macless right now and there isn't that huge of a jump between the 9800xt and the 6800ultra. The 120 dollar difference (dev discount) is definitely worth it, but the wait isn't
Odd, from the UK Apple store I can order a Dual 1.8Ghz Powermac with a 6800 and the shipping time is 3-5 days...
Anyway we should want what is best for macs, which is fast opengl performance, in regard of this the 6800 is better than ATI's options, but I prefer the ATI cards in the Windows side of things, however it simply doesn't apply for macs.
nVidia is known for writing amazingly good drivers for their cards. ATI drivers are questionable. If nVidia is helping Apple with the drivers, then it's wiser to go with nVidia.
On the PC side, I always try to buy nVidia. Better driver support under all different OSs.
While I agree with what you say about NVidia on the PC, my experience on the Mac is the opposite. My soon to be replaced G4 shipped originally with a GeForce 2MX and a number of times I had the display mess up, games just refuse to run (Games around 2001, not new ones) and weird rendering artifacts. Sick of it I replaced the card with an Radeon 8500 and all those problems went away. In fact the only problems I had since, games crashing, was fixed by adding the games to the exclude list of Unsanity's APE (now uninstalled). The Radeon 9200 in my iBook has been equally flawless. I do have no doubt though that NVidia's Mac drivers must have seriously improved since then or else there'd be a lot of unhappy people around.
That is weird because I was a gamer and never had any problems with my geforce 2mx in my quicksilver 867. I had it attached to a viewsonic 19" e95... The display burnt out after 3 years and I am not sure which to blame... However, it was a sturdy card.
Oh yah I did have some display problems with the geforce on Urban Terror around 2.4. However that was fixed right up with the next update of OS X since it was the GL drivers that were messing up.
There is enough of a difference between the 9800xt and the 6800 ultra that the 120 dollar upgrade for devs justifies it in every way. I just wish it was available now.
nVidia is known for writing amazingly good drivers for their cards. ATI drivers are questionable. If nVidia is helping Apple with the drivers, then it's wiser to go with nVidia.
On the PC side, I always try to buy nVidia. Better driver support under all different OSs.
What? What is this blasphemy I hear? nVidia a waste of time?! I mean, sure they've had there slip ups (5800 Ultra, anyone?) but that doesnt mean they are a waste of time! I always have used nVidia aftermarket video cards in all of my PCs and the only reason i use ATI(what kind of stupid name is that?)is because the damn blasted eMac doesnt come with an nVidia chipset. Make no mistake my friend, nVidia kicks ass
the 9800xt also takes away a pci slot. On all PC cards it is single slot. So why did apple have to do that? Does that mean that the x800xt would also take an additional slot? My guess is yes.
Apple or ATI did that to quieten the card. On the PC the Radeon 9800XT is a noisy card (so I heard from a PC user and reviewer), the Mac equivalent is quieter due to the increased size of the heatsink.
I'll reserve my judgement on the Radeon X800 vs the Geforce 6800 Ultra, until there is actually a Mac version of the Radeon X800 around. I'd imagine the performance would be close from the PC benchmarks I've seen. Until then the Geforce 6800 Ultra is the best Mac card.
I'd also prefer a Radeon. Less space, less power, great performance.
The 6800 matches or outperforms the X800 XT Platinum in virtually every test, and performs exceptionally well in Doom 3. I say it's a better card, and that Nvidia has fixed their driver slip-ups of the past.
Comments
Originally posted by emig647
You're definitely right, NVidia definitely has better drivers. I actually have used NVidia for PC exclusivly, but am switching over to ATI since it seems I can get better performance for cheaper. Think thats safe to say?
Depends I guess..nVidia is known for releasing updated drivers which allow existing nVidia cards to perform better. nVidia always makes sure to release drivers for Linux, plus I know that Solaris 10 x86 Beta works with my nVidia based laptop.
Originally posted by emig647
I did order a 6800 ultra but went back to the 9800xt because of ship dates. I'm currently macless right now and there isn't that huge of a jump between the 9800xt and the 6800ultra. The 120 dollar difference (dev discount) is definitely worth it, but the wait isn't
Odd, from the UK Apple store I can order a Dual 1.8Ghz Powermac with a 6800 and the shipping time is 3-5 days...
Anyway we should want what is best for macs, which is fast opengl performance, in regard of this the 6800 is better than ATI's options, but I prefer the ATI cards in the Windows side of things, however it simply doesn't apply for macs.
Go to Apple Accessories, and add the 6800 ultra graphics card to your shopping cart. When you get there notice the late august shipping date
Originally posted by moazam
nVidia is known for writing amazingly good drivers for their cards. ATI drivers are questionable. If nVidia is helping Apple with the drivers, then it's wiser to go with nVidia.
On the PC side, I always try to buy nVidia. Better driver support under all different OSs.
While I agree with what you say about NVidia on the PC, my experience on the Mac is the opposite. My soon to be replaced G4 shipped originally with a GeForce 2MX and a number of times I had the display mess up, games just refuse to run (Games around 2001, not new ones) and weird rendering artifacts. Sick of it I replaced the card with an Radeon 8500 and all those problems went away. In fact the only problems I had since, games crashing, was fixed by adding the games to the exclude list of Unsanity's APE (now uninstalled). The Radeon 9200 in my iBook has been equally flawless. I do have no doubt though that NVidia's Mac drivers must have seriously improved since then or else there'd be a lot of unhappy people around.
Oh yah I did have some display problems with the geforce on Urban Terror around 2.4. However that was fixed right up with the next update of OS X since it was the GL drivers that were messing up.
Originally posted by moazam
nVidia is known for writing amazingly good drivers for their cards. ATI drivers are questionable. If nVidia is helping Apple with the drivers, then it's wiser to go with nVidia.
On the PC side, I always try to buy nVidia. Better driver support under all different OSs.
that is not true on the mac unfortunately.
Originally posted by emig647
You have to remember,
the 9800xt also takes away a pci slot. On all PC cards it is single slot. So why did apple have to do that? Does that mean that the x800xt would also take an additional slot? My guess is yes.
Apple or ATI did that to quieten the card. On the PC the Radeon 9800XT is a noisy card (so I heard from a PC user and reviewer), the Mac equivalent is quieter due to the increased size of the heatsink.
I'll reserve my judgement on the Radeon X800 vs the Geforce 6800 Ultra, until there is actually a Mac version of the Radeon X800 around. I'd imagine the performance would be close from the PC benchmarks I've seen. Until then the Geforce 6800 Ultra is the best Mac card.
Originally posted by IonYz
I'd also prefer a Radeon. Less space, less power, great performance.
The 6800 matches or outperforms the X800 XT Platinum in virtually every test, and performs exceptionally well in Doom 3. I say it's a better card, and that Nvidia has fixed their driver slip-ups of the past.