Dual G4, MDD: Cheapest Core Image graphics card?

Question

I have read some of the comments about graphics cards on various threads, but what I'm after is the cheapest card which supports Core Image and will run on my dual G4 MDD.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
William

Answer 1

William Donelson wrote:
Thanks, Allen.
Is that really the cheapest at $180 ?
Well that's the cheapest card retail card currently available on the market. The other retail card available is the ATI Radeon 9800.
If you don't go retail, then your choices divide basically between:
1. OEM Apple cards that can work unmodified in an MDD
2. OEM Apple cards that can be modified to work
3. Flashed/modified PC cards
I'll take them in turn.
*1. OEM Apple cards that can work unmodified in an MDD*
I think the only OEM card that supports Core Image specifically designed for the MDD is BTO (build-to-order) ATI Radeon 9700. It wasn't available for long as an option, is rare, and is pretty price.
*2. OEM Apple cards that can be modified to work*
These are typically 8x AGP cards for the G5 that can be modified fairly easily (if you don't need to drive an ADC monitor) to work in the MDD. The cards I've seen people try this with are the ATI 96x0 OEM Apple cards: 9600 Pro, 9600 XT. I think the 9650 may work as well, but I haven't read anything.
The modification to work (without ADC power) can be done easily with tape. See here. The ADC port works (provide video signal) with DVI and VGA monitors (with the appropriate inpensive adapters). It's just that to use the ADC port with an ADC monitor (to supply) power the modification is more involved -- see the above linked page.
For awhile OWC sold the 9600 Pro pre-modified. That used to be the cheapest route to Core Image with an OEM Apple card. I use an 9600 Pro, but didn't get it from OWC.
You can at times find these OEM 96x0 on eBAY both modified and unmodified for an MDD. If you want an OEM card make sure it's OEM -- they have DVI plus ADC, with the ADC being the dead-giveaway.
*3. Flashed/modified PC cards*
Some people do this themselves, some people do it and sell them eBay. Some sellers are better than others, some cards are better than others. Some modify the cards with bigger ROM chips because the Apple ROM are typically bigger than the typical PC cards. If they don't swap the chip, they may be using a hacked smaller ROM.
For Cubes, this route sometimes is the easiest, and coolest way to go.