Choosing graphics card (Mac mini)

I trying to determine which Mac Mini to buy and think I'm getting caught up with specs too much.  We are looking to get a Mini to conenct to the television, play iTunes, surf the web, netflix, look at pics, the kids play with iMovie, etc.  I was going to get the base model (2.3 w/ Intel 3000) and stuff 8gb of RAM into it and call it a day.  But since the video isn't upgradeable and I have read one too many forums, I keep thinking I should spend the $200 and buy the 'better' video.  Am I correct to think the base video is fine for 'normal' use?  We have a MacBook Pro 13" (base model) and perfectly happy with it (I guess I just answered my question) but would like some other opinions.
Thanks

the mac mini for $799 with
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
4GB memory
500GB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6630M
OS X Lion
will that run world of warcraft at max grapich settings? cause i heard the base Imac will but if i upgrade the mac mini to the 2.7GHz i7 with 8GB ram think that will get the job done? cause World Of Warcraft will probly be the only gaming i do but if im spending this kinda money i would like to play at max settings. can someone please help thanks!

Similar Messages

  • Intel HD Graphics 4000 IS THE ONLY GRAPHICS CARD FOR MINI?

    Intel HD Graphics 4000  IS THE ONLY GRAPHICS CARD FOR MINI? OR APPLE SELLS Minis WITH A REAL GRAPHICS CARD?

    lse123 wrote:
    BOTH MINIS AND APPLE EXT OPTICAL DRIVE are dual band 110V/240V correct?
    how much size has the box of mini and the optical drive?
    Look here for what you want:
    http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs.html

  • Choosing iMAC over Mac Mini.....

    Why would people choose iMAC over Mac mini? And why not? How much is the iMAC better than the Mac mini?
    Looking for answers ASAP. thank you.

    Well as of this writing the low end MM is $600.00 and the low end iMac is $1200.00 so we will use these as a base line, at a $600.00 difference!
    The iMac you get a 3GHZ processor, the mini 2.26GHZ.
    The iMac you get built in Speakers/microphone/camera/SD slot, the mini A built in speaker.
    The iMac you can max memory to 16GB, the mini max memory 4GB.
    The iMac comes will 500GB of HDD space, the mini 320GB.
    Now the most impressive...
    The display:
    The iMac comes with a beautiful 21.5" LED IPS display, the mini none!
    To purchase a comparable display alone will cost you at least $600.00, and it will not look as good as the iMac display.
    Add the display and all the other features that the iMac has over the mini and you just get more bang for you buck with the iMac.
    Now does that mean that it is a better deal?
    Well not if you iMacs display goes out, with a mini you just get another one.
    The great thing about the iMac is if you're new to Mac then you're definitely going to get the full Apple/Mac experience, unless of coarse you get one of these messed up iMacs they have been shipping lately.

  • Upgrading video card Mac Mini 1.42 GHz Power PC G4????

    Hi there......
    I was just wondering could anyone give me a hand with upgrading a video card on my Mac MIni......
    Would there be chance to replace my existing video card:
    Chipset Model: ATY,RV280
    Type: Display
    Bus: AGP
    VRAM (Total): 32 MB
    Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
    Device ID: 0x5962
    Revision ID: 0x0001
    ROM Revision: 113-xxxxx-120
    Displays:
    DELL E173FP:
    Resolution: 1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz
    Depth: 32-bit Color
    Core Image: Not Supported
    Main Display: Yes
    Mirror: Off
    Online: Yes
    Quartz Extreme: Supported
    Rotation: Supported.................,,,,,,,,, with a newer one.....
    If that is possible, which video card should I get........
    Also is VRAM (Total): 32 MB same as DDR memory 32 MB , because I checked some stuff on E-bay and they got:
    ATI 100436011 Radeon 9200 MAC Edition PCI
    (mfr. number: 100-436011) DDR 128 MB.....,,, but I'm not sure what to use........
    Ant help would be appreciated......
    Thanks in advance.....

    And the reason for this is because the graphics chipset is integrated into the mainboard and cannot be separated from it. The same applies with video memory. If you're looking for a heavy-duty gaming machine, head on up to the iMac or the new Mac Pro, because even the new Intel Mini has integrated graphics.

  • No DVI output with T420 on integrated graphics card and Mini Dock Series 3

    Because of some application problems I have to set my new T420 to only use the integrated graphics card (disabling the NVidia Optimus feature). In this configuration I seem to be unable to use the DVI port on the Mini Dock Series 3, there is simply no signal and Windows reports that no monitor could be found. The VGA output works but the picture quality is quite bad.
    Is this a known design limitation or do I deal with a driver issue?
    Thanks
    Dan

    Yes, that works but there is the drawback of battery life. In the course of the day I often undock the laptop to go to meetings and using the discreet graphics card uses a lot more power and significantly reduces the time i can work without power. I would have to restart the laptop and change the setting in the BIOS after I undock, which is just not practical. For what I do I don't need the graphics power of the discreet card.

  • Change between graphic cards - mac crashes

    Hi Apple community,
    since now two weeks I have a new MacBook Pro. It is my first mac and it is very amazing.
    However since the first day I have a problem for which I do not find an answer yet.
    As every new MacBook Pro - my MBP do have two graphic cards. In the system preferneces there is the option to switch between them (better battery life or higher performance). When I try to change between these two options I get the - you have to log out - text. Till here everything is fine.
    Now when the system logs off and in again my MacOs crashes and and I do have to press the on/off switch menu for few second, reboot my system and even then the system can get bck to normal mode, I have to press the on/off switch once again and only then I can run my Mac again.
    Is this normal and if not.... how can this problem be solved
    Thanks for your help
    Kmop
    Message was edited by: Kmop
    Message was edited by: Kmop

    Changing graphics cards should not cause a system crash. I'd recommend a call to AppleCare. There's a Contact Us link at the bottom right of this page.

  • Graphics Card Mac Pro early 2008

    I need/want to upgrade my video card in my early 2008 Mac Pro. I am still running the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256 MB card. I recently purchased the
    Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC with Boost 3GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11197-03-40G. After reading several post I thought this would work. I either got the wrong card or it's missing appropriate cables to connect. I have also watched a few installs on you tube. They are not in a early 2008 because I have to connector plugs where they show.
    Please advice me on a good graphics card for my Mac Pro. I'm not a gamer but do a lot of photography work on my computer. It locks up sometimes when working with graphics.

    You need 6-pin power cables to drive most and Apple's is proprietary and unlike standard PC cable
    http://www.amazon.com/JacobsParts-Express-6-pin-PCI-e-Video/dp/B00OSLGBIC/ref=sr _1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425053223&sr=1-11&keywords=6-pin+power+adapter+ cable+for+pci-express+video+cards
    or
    http://www.amazon.com/PCI-e-Power-Cable-nVidia-Video/dp/B002UR1654/ref=sr_1_4?s= electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1425053403&sr=1-4&keywords=Mac+6-pin+power+adapter+cable +for+pci-express+video+cards
    Or OWC but they charge more (still very low cost)
    And you need two such cables.

  • Graphics card Mac Pro (Early 2008) What is supported

    I desperatly need a new Graphics Card for my Early 2008 Mac Pro.
    Bellow are the listed and supported graphics cards from apple site.
    None of the cards listed for early 2008 is possible (Very hard) to get here in Norway.
    I've read some treads here saying that ATI Radeon HD 5870 will work on Early 2008 Mac Pro.
    - Can someone please verify that this will work?
    - On the Note for early 2009 The radeon HD 5870 card requires Mac OS X v10.6.4 or later and it requires the use of both auxiliary power connections?
    Both auxiliary power connections. Do Early 2008 Mac Pro have this possibility?
    Graphics cards for Mac Pro (Early 2008)
    ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
    NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (part number 630-9191 or 630-9897)
    NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600
    ATI Radeon HD 4870, offered as an upgrade kit
    Note: The Radeon HD 4870 card requires Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later for use with the Mac Pro (Early 2008).
    Graphics cards for Mac Pro (Early 2009)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 120
    ATI Radeon HD 4870
    ATI Radeon HD 5870, offered as an upgrade kit
    Note: The radeon HD 5870 card requires Mac OS X v10.6.4 or later and it requires the use of both auxiliary power connections.

    Robban1978,
    I have 27 Apple Mac Pro's (between work/office, home, and clients), and have four Apple Mac Pro's (just at home) and I have purchased the Diamond Radeon HD 7970 graphics cards (7970PE53GHZ) for each of the 27 computers and the graphics cards do work great in all of my Apple Mac Pro computers (2008, 2010, and two 2012 Apple Mac Pro).
    The only problem is that I have to boot directly into Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 to use the graphics cards because Diamond/Radeon/AMD have not released graphics drivers for the Radeon 7970 for OS X 10.8.x Mountain Lion (as of yet?)
    See here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/20289120
    See here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/20289931
    See here:  https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4391012
    Hopefully AMD/Radeon/Diamond will release updated graphics drivers for OS X 10.8.x Mountain Lion, and I believe the Diamond Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition graphics card is probably the best graphics card out on the market (based on it's price/performance), the only problem/issue is there are no OS X 10.8.x Mountain Lion drivers for the Radeon HD 7970 series graphics cards yet.
    Hopefully AMD/Radeon/Diamond will work on developing and releasing OS X 10.8.x Mountain Lion drivers.

  • My board is not working with any graphic cards except mine(mx400)

    Dear friends!  
    I have sent a message but noone understood!
    My problem is simple.
    My mainboard is i845 MSI 6528LE!
    My graphic card is INCA MX 400 Ge force2!
    My mainboard is working good with this graphic card.But it is not working with other cards!For instance Winfast MX440,Asus FX 5200,Ati 9100,Ati 9200SE...
    Why!I tried lots of things.Bios update, i845 driver update...
    Please is there anyone who understand tis problem in MSI?
    Thanks!...  
    0t is not a power suply or voltage or driver problem okey!!!!

    I understand that you are frustrated, but it will help us all to help you if you create a Signature with all the info, and specs of your PC...As this info will keep us from having to guess for example, What Operating system are you running? Windows, Linux?, if Windows what version?, What type and speed Memory are you using? What type of CPU, a P-4, a Celeron, what speed?.ect. What Voltage is the Mem. set to, Voltage of the CPU?...These are all things that we need to know..Otherwise if we do not have this info we have to guess....So please we want to help ..But you have to give us all the info we need ...Sean REILLY875

  • Premiere Pro Won't recognize Nividia GTX 780 6 GB Graphics Card Mac Pro Tower Mavericks

    Just figured this out, update to the latest driver but you will also need the Quadro K5000 driver to make it play nice so that you can use GPU acceleration.
    NVIDIA DRIVERS Quadro & GeForce Mac OS X Driver Release 334.01.02
    I am now able to utilize the card to it's utmost capabilities.
    Make sure you also install the most up to date driver also for the card.
    Solved my problem anyway and didn't want anyone else to have to dig for this solution for hours and hours.
    Hope it works for you.

    I've spoken with adobe, I've donne everything they ask....
    It's a waste of time, I paid for this program, I paid to have adobe on my computer, and until yet no solution has been found.
    I don't think this is right... so much time and nothing, no solution, no nothing....
    sorry ADOBE but you are slowing down

  • Success story: NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card defect repaired at no cost

    This is the story of Apple servicing my MacBook Pro with the NVIDIA graphics card defect.
    I had the NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card defect in my 2 year old MacBook Pro. The symptoms were pinkish images, scrambled and chopped images, and finally leading to no video, all within a matter of 3 days. I called AppleCare using the old number I remembered from my 100mhz Mac days: 1-800-SOS-APPLE. I was greeted by a real person within 3 minutes. She explained that my 90-day complimentary phone service had expired some 600 days ago.
    After I mentioned the specific Apple Knowledge base article that described the defect (TS2377), and that it was covered up to three years out of warranty, she transferred me to a MacBook Pro specialist. Sheri ran me through several standard resets and reboots. She then suggested that it be taken into an Apple store for a genius to look at. When I explained that the nearest Apple Store was an hour away, she arranged for a mail-in service.
    After the call had ended, I received a simple email with her phone number so that I could contact her if I needed to. Another automated email contained my repair case number and a link to check the status online. The online status center is very easy to use. It displayed three steps: Sending the empty box, service in progress and return. FedEx tracking numbers were included with working links.
    The next day an empty box arrived, completely with graphical IKEA like packaging instructions and form fitting foam for my MacBook Pro. I knew when the FedEx truck came around, so I had my computer ready by my side. As soon as FedEx showed up, I explained that the empty box was for the computer and Marcos helped me apply the pre-paid return label and taped the box expertly with tape from his truck. I also placed in the box a copy of the Apple Knoweldge base article and pictures I had taken of the issue.
    Apple had included a small stack of super adhesive pre-cut tape square, but Macros was already taping it before I figured out what they were. The return label was also pre-paid with overnight service.
    The next day I logged into the online support status at Apple.com and checked my status. The tracking number showed it had arrived in Houston, and the three steps had been updated to "Repairs completed" and "Return in progress."
    The return FedEx tracking number was displayed later in the evening, and it showed that it was guaranteed to arrive by 10:30AM the next day. Speedy service! Sure enough, the next day I had my computer back in my hands, all data perfect and intact. I was very worried since I was not able to make a back up before sending it in, and Apple does not guarantee data safety. Apple had replaced the logic board, valued at $700 on iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-2-Duo-2-2-GHz-Logic -Board/IF185-073).
    The funny thing is, for the past 5 years, I have always cloned my drive or used time machine, but for the past two months I had cleared the backups to make up extra room on my externals. You really never know when disaster will strike!
    Learned:
    - Apple Customer Care is top notch, speedy and their status site is very easy to use
    - FedEx service was very helpful
    - If you have a NVIDIA graphics card, Mac or PC, check if your model is affected. Just today Sony announced that NVIDIA cards with defects will now be covered for 4 years out of warranty. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10307592-64.html)
    - Back up your stuff NOW. Use a flash drive or email files to yourself for a cheap fix.
    Roland

    ha
    got the same problem with my mbp (dec 2007)
    also no video within 5 hours .... also no external video.
    lucky i had screen sharing on so i could check the system profiler via an other mac.
    It couldn't find the 6800M GT anymore...
    did another backup and went to the local apple store
    took a print out of Apple Knowledge base article that described the defect (TS2377)
    and they replaced the logicboard+gpu for free within 10 days ...
    everything is ok now except for my maxmsp copy which thinks it runs on an other machine and complains about a missing licence ....

  • Mac mini 09 Display Resolutions odd via DVI -- HDMI

    Hi I've got a LG 1366x768 commercial display and it works great with an Apple TV, MacBook 2007 or MacBook Pro 2008.
    However when I unplug the MacBook and plug in the New Mac mini, it gives a completely different set of resolutions - none of which work properly on the display.
    When overscan is chosen on the Mac mini, it chops off the top of the menu bar. Overscan is on the MacBook and MacBook Pro and it looks perfect.
    Everything is blurry no matter which resolution I choose on the Mac mini. Everything is crisp with the MacBook and MacBook Pro. This is a serious problem....
    Tried switchresX and it's no help.
    Anyone else using one for their home theatre with a HDMI setup?

    Which LG model is it? Which HDMI jack (HDMI1, HDMI2) on the TV are you plugged into?
    Some LG commercial TVs have a different internal mode for the inputs that has to be changed in the TV menu. If it thinks it is a true HDMI signal, it will automatically overscan it for you resulting in things being cut off and looking fuzzy. You have to convince it that you really want to be a PC type input that just happens to be over HDMI in order for it to display on all visible pixels. Depending on the model, you may have to plug into a specific HDMI port to even make that possible.

  • Mac Mini vs. iMac G5 in warm environment

    I need to choose between a Mac Mini 1.42GHz (1 GB RAM) with a third-party 17" digital LCD a new iMac G5 1.8GHz 17" (1.5GB RAM). I think both machines will handle my client's applications (MS-Office 2004, QuickBooks Pro 2005, Aatrix Payroll 15.x, Now Up-to-Date and Contact, AOL, and Now Contact and Events server. 100base/T Ethernet is fine. The question is whether one machine is more robust than the other in a sometimes uncomfortably warm environment. (Upstairs in a loft in an un-insulate, un-air conditioned building.) I like the idea of the all-in-one iMac G5 solution. But the Mini is using an ostensibly cooler running G4 processor, has an external power supply, and a separate display. The machine is going to be running all day (although we'll let Energy Saver put it to sleep). Any thoughts or recommendations?

    Assuming that both iMac and mini systems would be capable of running the necessary applications sufficiently well to be viable, the all-in-one enclosed design of the iMac would on the face of it be at a disadvantage in an evironment such as this one where temperature is not controlled. The iMac certainly runs considerably hotter than a mini would and the screen and internal PSU would certainly add to that heat. However, the iMac's cooling system is considerably more effective at heat dissipation.
    Ultimately, where I think the mini has the advantage (in addition to cost and the external screen and PSU) is that it is possible to place it on a cooling pad of the sort often used by laptop owners, to help it dissipate heat. If such a pad is used, it is imperative that it is of a solid design so that it doesn't risk blocking the ventilation slots, and it may help to have a fan blowing air over it , but that should help ensure it remains functional in perhaps all but the most extreme temperatures.
    Personally, I'd be rather more concerned about the person using the system in that environment!!

  • Graphics card upgrade to go to Final Cut Pro X

    I have a ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphics card mac pro 10.5.8
    what is the recommended card to go to Final Cut Pro X? 
    Should I install myself?

    There are multiple threads every day now about FCP-X
    And there is a list of unsupported cards.
    10.6.7+ is one item, ATI 5770 would be the other.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3146963?tstart=0

  • Mac Mini Takes 10-15 Minutes to Restart

    Even if I manually shut down all apps before choosing RESTART, my Mac Mini of late has been taking forever to restart. Everything closes out, I get a gray screen with a spinning wheel (not the beach ball, but a different wheel) which spins for 10-15 minutes before the computer finally restarts.  This has just been happing in the last month or so.
    Thanks for any suggestions on causes or what I can check.

    These instructions must be carried out as an administrator. If you have only one user account, you are the administrator.
    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
    Step 1
    For this step, the title of the Console window should be All Messages. If it isn't, select
    SYSTEM LOG QUERIES ▹ All Messages
    from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
    View ▹ Show Log List
    from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
    In the top right corner of the Console window, there's a search box labeled Filter. Initially the words "String Matching" are shown in that box. Enter "BOOT_TIME" (without the quotes.)
    Each message in the log begins with the date and time when it was entered. Note the timestamps of the BOOT_TIME log messages, which refer to the times when the system was started. Now clear the search box and scroll back in the log to the last boot time when you had the problem. Select the messages logged before the boot, during the time something abnormal was happening. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.
    For example, if the system was unresponsive or was failing to shut down for three minutes before you forced a restart, post the messages timestamped within three minutes before the boot time, not after. Please include the BOOT_TIME message at the end of the log extract—not at the beginning.
    If there are long runs of repeated messages, please post only one example of each. Don’t post many repetitions of the same message.
    ☞ When posting a log extract, be selective. A few dozen lines are almost always more than enough.
    ☞ Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.
    Please don't indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
    Please don't post screenshots of log messages—post the text.
    Step 2
    In the Console window, select
    DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION ▹ System Diagnostic Reports
    (not Diagnostic and Usage Messages) from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
    View ▹ Show Log List
    from the menu bar.
    There is a disclosure triangle to the left of the list item. If the triangle is pointing to the right, click it so that it points down. You'll see a list of reports. A crash report has a name that begins with the name of the crashed process and ends in ".crash". A panic report has a name that begins with "Kernel" and ends in ".panic". Select the most recent of each. The contents of the report will appear on the right. Use copy and paste to post the entire contents—the text, not a screenshot.
    I know the report is long, maybe several hundred lines. Please post all of it anyway.
    ☞ If you don't see any reports listed, but you know there was a crash or panic, you may have chosen Diagnostic and Usage Messages from the log list. Choose DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION instead.
    In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)
    ☞ Please don’t post other kinds of diagnostic report—they're very long and rarely helpful.

Maybe you are looking for