Best Graphic Card for a Mac Pro

I am buying a Mac Pro very soon but i am still wondering about what kind of grahics card i should get? I will be doing lots of after effects and maya along with photoshop. I heard the X1900 is a good way to go? Any ideas on what i should get or is the best for me?

You've got two choices.
The X1900 (ATI) and the Nvidia Quadro FX 4500.
The ATI is $299. The Nvidia is $2000.
All around performance wise, the X1900 is usually faster then the FX4500. It's a more general purpose card, which I find works great in Photoshop and Cinema 4D (3D modeling). The FX 4500 is designed for high-accuracy complex models- usually that of a mechanical CAD drawing or something in engineering.
Regardless, the FX 4500 is far too expensive for what you get over the X1900, which is relatively nothing in your case. The '1900 is cheaper and faster for your uses.
If you've got money to spend, I'd suggest ether more RAM, or loading your Mac Pro up with hard drives (I personally use 4*500GB in two 500GB RAID0 arrays for redundancy).
-SC

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Best graphics card for the MAC Pro 4,1

I am using the 4870 card, but, is there a better graphics card for doing photography with Adobe CS5 Extended and Lightroom 3?
Thank you.

While recently discontinued, you can probably get your hands on an nVidia GTX 285 fairly easily. It's not only faster than your Radeon HD4870, it has double the video memory, and more importantly it's on the shortlist of cards that are support hardware acceleration of the Mercury Playback Engine in Adobe CS5. That's a HUGE feature, if you use Premiere or After Effects, it's probably worth the price of admission right there. I've got one in my machine, works wonders. Aside from a zippy system, lots of basic stuff that used to have to be rendered in order to preview no longer require it.
The nVidia Quadro FX 4800 is also a bigger/faster card, and provides even more powerful support for the Mercury Playback Engine in CS5, but it's also vastly more expensive. As I type this the price is $1799 at Apple, and $1399 most everywhere else (Apple store managers, if you're seeing this you might want to check for a price drop).
That's the current max, but it's possible that new graphics cards are right around the corner. In the spring nVidia introduced their next generation of GPU, there are a range of new GTX 4xx series cards on the mainstream line, and just last week new Quadro cards were launched for the high end. Adobe does not support either of them for CS5's Mercury Playback Engine hardware acceleration at this moment, but Adobe employees have said that it's coming in an update soon.
It's also likely that the ATI Radeon HD 5770 & Radeon HD 5870 will be released for the Mac. My understanding is that the 5770 performance is on par with your HD 4870, and the 5870 will blow it away. Both the new ATI cards also boast two mini displayport plugs as well as a DVI out. Neither card is likely going to get support for hardware acceleration in CS5 anytime soon (not really Adobe's fault, ATI are still in their infancy on the high performance/OpenCL front compared to nVidia).
My advice, if you need something now, chase down a GTX 285 and you won't be disappointed (especially in CS5). Otherwise, you may want to wait it out and jump on the next generation if/when it becomes available.
Hope that helps!

Which New Graphic Card For 2008 Mac Pro?

I'm going to buy Final Cut X, so I'll need a new graphic card for my 2008 MacPro. My current card is an ATI Radeon HD 2600.
I asked AppleCare and they sent me a link to a lot of compatible cards (copied below).
But it turns out that most of these cards need Windows - at least according to specs - and the rest don't have the (2) DVI-D connections I need - so which card should I buy?
The card has to work with my 2 Acer P243W 24" screens at 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz.
Here's Apple's list:
•    NVIDIA
o    GeForce 320M
o    GeForce GT 330M
o    GeForce 9400M
o    GeForce 9600M GT
o    GeForce 8600M GT Note: OpenCL compatible, but does not meet system requirements for Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and Compressor.
o    GeForce GT 120
o    GeForce GT 130
o    GeForce GTX 285
o    GeForce 8800 GT
o    GeForce 8800 GS
o    Quadro FX 4800
o    Quadro FX5600
•    ATI
o    Radeon HD 4670
o    Radeon HD 4850
o    Radeon HD 4870
o    Radeon HD 5670
o    Radeon HD 5750
o    Radeon HD 5770

Once you look at what is sold, limits the list. None of those listed require Windows though. What specs? I don't see any specs. And of course nothing listed are Windows, that would be strange. Why you pasted notebook and iMac graphic adapters... unless Apple is selling FCPX for Windows.
Forget the GT120 though some use it with FCPX and are okay with it, save a little though I think 5770 has more processing, bandwidth and of course 1GB DDR5.
support for 6870 PC card is looking like a possible option now, too.
It is more mainly just 5770 vs 5870. Or Quadro 4000.
Amazon has PNY Mac Pro edition $790 vs Apple's $1195 for same card
PNY Quadro 4000 2 GB DDR5 Mac Pro
When FCX came out we had a couple threads on same topic.
Apple Graphics Cards
OSX and Graphics Cards
Radeon 6870 3DMark 30% gain on 5870
Flashed PC Radeon HD5870 Mac Pro 2008
Flashed PC Radeon HD5870 Mac Pro 2008 - dual DVI works
I include the above for same reason why when the 4870 came out, PC card was 1/2 price and $450 for 5870? really? when XFX and Saffire are under $199.
Radeon 5870 vs 5770 GTX 285 4870
Three Video Displays one card
Display Adapters Needed

Best graphics card compatible with Mac Pro?

I still have the stock ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series from 2010 that shipped with it. Everything else is holding up but I'm noticing the graphics card is starting to get a bit dated. I've never upgraded a graphics card on a mac so I'm wandering what kind of cards I can and cant buy.

Windows and games then you can use whatever you can power.
That could be GTX 570 or ATI 7xxx
Only issue is you only have 2 x 6-pin auxillary cables.
you might buy a flashed GTX from MacVidCards
http://www.ebay.com/sch/macvidcards/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid =p3686
You'll find more about 3rd party cards and how to install and support...
http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1
http://forum.netkas.org/
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1360927
http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=03G-P3-1588-AR
The Mac Pro limitations for serious gaming make it much more of a challenge.

Best graphics card for power mac g4 500 dual

I recently acquired a power mac g4 500 dual core processor, and i'm looking for an upgrade for the graphics card. I currently have the stock ATI rage 128 pro, and it doesn't seem to cut it very well, especially since I installed 10.5 leopard on it (hacked through open-firmware). I've been doing some research, and I've had a hard time finding the best upgrade. I'm not looking to really play any games or do anything graphics intensive, I just want all the basic tasks to be quicker. I'm looking for something that supports Quartz extreme, and possibly core image. Thanks.
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Hi-
Leopard needs Core Image. The best card is the Radeon 9800 Pro Mac edition.

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I have some older Mac Pro towers that vary from:
2.66 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon
..to this:
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Looking for at least the top two video cards that are tried and tested that would work best with at least Premiere Pro and AME. I just need to narrow down the unwieldy list that can be found here: http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/tech-specs.html

MikeJamesG wrote:
Looking for at least the top two video cards that are tried and tested that would work best with at least Premiere Pro and AME.
Are you adverse to using aftermarket cards that have been converted to work properly in a Mac? If you aren't, then I'd recommend talking to Dave @ MacVidCards because he can cook you up an nVidia 700-series card that will boot properly in a Mac Pro, run at PCI-E 2.0 speeds, and work wonderfully in Pr/AME.

Graphics Card for my Mac Pro...

I use CS3 for graphic and web design. I currently use a DC2.3 PPC and sometimes in InDesign the graphics really labour the card/processor to preview all the effects.
Is this handled by the graphics card or is it processor intensive?
Should I get the stock ATI 2600 with my new Mac Pro or the NVIDIA 8800? Will the 8800 be faster or do you only see a benefit with 3D rendering?

I can tell you this about the ATI cards because I have had two now. I'm now using the ATI X1900 with 512ram and under Tiger it worked well, under Leopard it has been aa nightmare. Random graphic splotches, overheating (I must blow out any dust on a near weekly basis), I must use fan controlling software, and the screen does not come up without at least one line streak if not several. I had Apple replace the card but it seems to be a prevailing problem with many who use the ATI card. I'm about to CTO a new MacPro 3.2GHz machine and will probably go with the NVIDIA 8800 hoping to be relieved of the ATI graphics problems. Just a head's up to those of you who are toying with the idea of opting for the ATI graphics card.
John

Suggest a better graphics card for my mac pro mid 2010

I use my Mid 2010 Mac Pro (not macbook pro) to do very heavy visual / special effects editing for film using the programs Blender, After Effects, Premier Pro and Element 3D. I need a graphics card with at least 3GB of VRAM but I am having a hard time finding one that isn't outrageously priced. I would really appreciate any suggestions for cards that aren't overclocked that would have the above VRAM or greater that would work with my particular Mac Pro. Thanks so much for any help.

How about HD7950 Mac Edition?
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/product_index.aspx?cid=1&gid=3& sgid=1157&pid=1777&psn=&leg=0&lid=1

Replacement graphics card for 2006 Mac Pro?

My Mac Pro is a dual-core Intel Xeon, model 1,1 purchased in 2006. The graphics card is doing death throes. I can't afford a new computer, so I need to replace the graphics card.
Can I use any PCI express x16 card, or are my options restricted? (They were at the time - there was a choice of two.) If my options are restricted, what cards can I buy?
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Pam

ATI 4870 is your best bet. Ignore what apple says about it not being supported; it is.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB999ZM/A?mco=ODc4ODk3MQ

2nd graphics card for 2008 Mac Pro 3.1

I need to connect a third monitor to my 2008 Mac Pro 3.1 - 2.8/8 core - so I can view and control Logic from my vocal booth. I don't want a monster card. Just the bare minimum. The monitor will only be on when I'm recording by myself. I appreciate suggestions and any warnings of pssible problems.
Thanks for the help.

ATI Radeon 5770
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC742ZM/A
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-ATI-Radeon-5770-MC742ZM/dp/B003Z6QH6M
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/726537-REG/Apple_MC742ZM_A_ATI_Radeon_HD_5 770.html
How To Install and Remove Memory Mac Pro
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT4433
2x2GB FBDIMM DDR2 667MHz @ $32http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B002ORUUAC/
Hardware Monitor
http://www.bresink.com/osx/HardwareMonitor.html

What Graphics card for Intel Mac Pro early 2007?

I have a Nvidia 7300 GT Graphics Card at present, but if I were to replace it now what card would I be able to replace it with? I heard the Nvidia Geforce 8800GT is a good alternative! is this still the case?
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Regards Denis
I think I may have posted in the wrong area sorry Denis
Message was edited by: Denisimo

Thanks Hatter, Re X1900's They are on the UK site too at £264.00 I expect they are hoping some unsuspecting user will still be daft enough to buy them not having been made aware of the problems now evident some way down the line

What's the best graphic card for FCP X and a Mac Pro (early) 2008?

I have a Radeon HD 3870 in my Mac Pro, it seems that I cannot use this configuration with Final Cut Pro X. Then what's the best graphic card for FCP X usable in a Mac Pro (early) 2008?
Thx,
Phil

You can get a 5770 radeon ATI MAC card
Avoid the 5770 cards on ebay and Amazon - many are black market or manipulated cards.
Buy it from Apple online store or B&H photo or Macconection
And in my case, I was able to sell my old 2600 XT card on ebay for $65 and put that money toward a 5770 card (Which was about $230 minus the $65)
I installed the 5770 in my early Mac Pro 2 x 2.8 and it works great

HT4664 What is the best graphics card for FCPX?

In the nonstop anti-FCPX propaganda is an article of interest — posted 7/9/12 — comparing the benchmarks of FCPX and PP6.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/Producer/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=83582 &PageNum=1
The system used was a 2 x 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Mac Pro from early 2009 running MacOS X version 10.7.4 with 12 GB of RAM and an NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 graphics card with 1.5 GB of onboard RAM.
In most cases PP6 outperformed FCPX with this configuration. However, in the comments Ben Balser pointed out that FCP X's A/VFoundation engine wasn't ideal on the NVIDA card:
"Quadro is actually not the best card for FCP X's A/VFoundation engine, but great for CS6's Mercury engine, so the test is amazingly flawed right there. Try both on a 5780 card and watch things drastically change. I've done that test myself. Exporting to Compressor uses a MUCH more sophisticated encoding engine meant for higher level, professional transcoding, not simple outputs, which are faster using Export Media…"
Apple lists this card on its support page: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664
So,
What is the best graphics card for FCPX?

Ben,
Thanks for chiming in on that article. It would be good to have a benchmark comparison with the two systems each with a preferred card.
I'm hoping to see some other comparisons on this thread. Also, some links to other articles about best practices and configurations.

How does having 2 Graphics Cards in a Mac pro help if it doesnt have something like Crossfire??

Hi,
I am thinking of buying a Mac pro for visual effects & graphics work.
My question is quite simple, what are the benifits of having to graphic cards in a Mac Pro,
For instance, i am thinking of putting in a Quadro 4000 with a 5870 in my mac pro.
now is it possible for me to set say the ATI 5870 for powering my display and my Quadro 4000 for graphic processing tasks such as rendering stuff, and so on and so forth.
Any thouights will be great.
Cheers.
Ani

You need to find a way to add 3rd aux power connector.
Mac Pro only comes with a mere 2 6-pin connectors, not a lot of power.
Apple has had multiple problems with Nvidia drivers, with support, with say using two 4000s together, which sounds nice and makes more sense (and especially if one wants to run Windows at all where mixing ATI and Nvidia use to be against all the rules, now it seems like it is an Apple issue).
Yes, there can be processing improvements, Adobe Mercury Engine for one, CUDA still has advantage over ATI-Apple OpenCL.

Best Graphics Card for InDesign

I have seen a number of articles discussing the best graphics cards for a number of Adobe products such as Photshop, AfterEffects, SpeedGrade and Premiere Pro, but we have users that do not use these products extensively, but do use InDesign, Acrobat and Illustrator quite heavily, during prep for a paper catalogue.
Can anybody give me some advise on the best graphocs card for these particulat products please...? we are using CC.
Thank you.

Only really need a graphics card for video editing - 3D modelling etc.
Even then the video softaware doesn't address the graphics card all that much.
It's only recently that video software and 3d software request access to the graphics RAM.
Mostly the processors these days have pretty good onboard graphics cards. That should be plenty for photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
It's more physical RAM that is required, not graphics cards.
I have 20gb RAM and i7 4770 processor with no additional graphics card.
It works great.
Although a standalone graphics card would be better for video editing and 3d modelling.

Best Graphic Card for a Mac Pro

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