Help with Graphics card purchase

I'm planning on buying a new graphics card for my creaky old Mac (G4 400 MHz PowerPC, CRT display, running Tiger). Mainly because I do a lot of 3D modelling/rendering work and I think it would improve the experience I have with the apps that I use daily. Apart from not being up to spec for modern games graphics my Mac works pretty darn well (probably because I have a shed-load of RAM), so I'm not planning on getting a new Mac any time soon. I just want to cheaply soup-up this one.
I'm looking at getting either the 'ATI Radeon 9600 Pro - Mac', or possibly the cheaper 'ATI Radeon 9200 Mac Edition'.
After looking online I have seen that users of both have reported some problems. The 9600 has been reported not to work with some displays and the 9200 has been reported to make DVD act really badly.
So my questions are roughly:
Have these issues been resolved? Have you experienced any problems upgrading your old Mac with these cards? Would these cards make a marked difference to my 3D modelling/rendering apps? What graphics card would you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

Does your Mac use a AGP (Advanced Graphics Processor) slot?
Based on the 400MHz you mentioned, is is probably a "Gigabit Ethernet" model, which has a 2X AGP slot.
If not, your only option is the ATI Radeon 9200 128 MB PCI Mac Edition card. I hadn't heard about any DVD playback problems with this card. ATI says it will not work with OS 9 in G4 "Digital Audio" and "Gigabit Ethernet" models.
If you do have AGP you definitely want to use it. The ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition 256MB AGP works with 2X or 4X AGP models. This card will give the best performance.
The ATI Radeon 9600 Mac & PC Edition 256MB is for 4X or 8X AGP slots. Even if you do have a 4X AGP slot, this card may not work in your system because of its power consumption. ATI says it is not compatible with "Digital Audio" and "Quicksilver" models. That leaves the MDD (Mirrored Drive Door) as the only G4 model with 4X AGP that it will work in reliably.

Similar Messages

  • Need help w/graphic card purchase

    I'm using a Asus Essentio PC. When I bought this at BB I told the salesperson that one of the MAIN things I needed the computer to do was play Sims2. When I doubted the ability of the integrated graphics to handle this he told me it would be NO problem.  Well, it's a problem. I'm not super computer literate and looked to the salesperson to be knowledgeable and that was a fail. So now I need to buy a graphics card & power supply (?).  I don't trust that I'll get the help I need, since I didn't when I was making the original purchase.  So, what I have to work with is:  Asus Essentio  Model CM5571 Processor: Pentium Dual Core CPU [email protected], OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Memory: 6144 MB RAM, Intel G45/G43 Express Chipset, Intel 4 series Express Chipset Family. I hope I provided the correct info.  What I can afford is about $200.  Is there anything I can do?
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Power Supply : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Thermaltake+-+600W+TR2+ATX+Power+Supply/9827268.p?id=1218179699692&skuId...
    Graphics Card : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+NVIDIA+GeForce+GTS450+1GB+GDDR5+PCI+Express+2.0+Graphics+Card/1358...
    Now, I don't know how long the sale prices on there are for, so if you can do it, I'd get them soon.
    If you like my post, or solution to your issue/question, go ahead and click on the little star by my name and/or accept the post as the Solution. It makes me happy.
    I'm NOT an employee of Best Buy, or Geek Squad, though I did work as an Agent for a year 5 years ago. None of my posts are to be taken as the official stance that Best Buy will take on your situation. My advice is just that, advice.
    Unfortunately, that's the bad luck of any electronic, there's going to be bad Apples... wait that's a horrible pun.

  • Please help with graphic card

    hey guy i have a problem picking a graphics card that is compatible with my computer i have a pavilion a6030n specs are
    Chipset
    GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer: ECS
    Motherboard Name: MCP61PM-HM
    HP/Compaq motherboard name: Nettle-GL8E
    my psu is only a 300 watt i only want a card to make my desktop like a home theater hd/bluray movies no gaming i want it to support 1080p full hd and have a hdmi output. is there any card like this that i can just install with out upgrading my psu please help thanks

    Please help.  I am confused.  I have the same specs as the original poster and am also looking to upgrade my system, but i'm confused.  The video card you recommended appears to be 512MB, however, HP's specs for the motherboard state:
    Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
    Up to 256MB (with 512MB or more system memory)
    Also supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards*
    So, if it says it supports up to 256MB, should i limit my search for a new video card to only ones that have 256MB, or will a 512MB one, like the one you recommened, also work?
    Thanks.

  • Please Help with Graphics Card "Bait & Switch"

    I ordered a laptop for using as a field monitor and DVR with OnLocation (DV Rack) with the Quadro FX 2500M graphics card. At the last moment the builder says the Quadro is not available (or he can't afford it) and can only offer the NVidia 7950GTX or dual 7950 GTX SLI. Can anyone please help me decide whether or not to accept either one of these alternatives?
    Need to make quick decision to accept or cancel so any help much appreciated.

    Workstation cards are not really any help to the NLE user. Neither is SLI. I'd say you'll be fine with a single 7950, if you trust the guy enough to buy from him.

  • Need help with graphics card Hp Pavillion a6530.sc will a 9800GTX or 9800GT work?

    Will there be enough room for a new grapihcs card to replace the old one since it's fan has broken and I could use a new Graphics card. I know that the 9500GS is quite small but will there be enough place for a 9800GT/9800GTX if there isn't could you give me the name of a graphics card manufactured by Nvidia that is as powerful as a 9800GT/GTX, and fits in to the pc. Any help will be appreciated!

    Well, you are starting out from a fairly low baseline with the integrated graphics. It will not cost much to have a substantial increase if all you want to do is run WoW without error messages. Yes, the 300w power supply is an issue and rules out any card that will require its own power (i.e. needs its own power cord like a hard drive) but there are several mid-grade cards that can run off bus power alone (i.e. just from the pci-e slot itself). Just taking a quick look at newegg.com I see the following:
    GeForce 9400 under $50
    Radeon HD 4650 under $50
    GeForce 9500GT a little over $50
    Any of these should get you where you want to be and not require a PS upgrade. The slot you have available is a PCI Express x16 slot so don't look at AGP cards; they will not work. If you want to install the card you mention you need to get a better PSU.

  • Need help with graphics card upgrade

    I have a stock p6140f and am looking to run on the new WoW expansion. I have gotten by to this point with the intel GMA 3100 /G33 that comes with this desktop. I have recently run into issues with crashes during game. I have always had it on the high resolustion and never encountered any problems. I am looking for a graphics card that will run the game WITHOUT replacing my power supply. I know that it has a 300W PSU and that is has a 
    Expansion Slots:
    1 PCI x16 slot for graphics card
    What I dont know is what will work for this upgrade.The specs. list it as a PCI slot, not a PCI Express 2.0 slot. If this card doesnt work then I was looking for any card that would be compatible with the system that could run the game
    I was looking at the 
    GIGABYTE GV-N240D5-512I GeForce GT 240 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
    Here are the compatiable cards
    ATI OS Driver Version Radeon 9500+ Series
    Radeon X000 Series
    Radeon X1000 Series XP/Vista/7 Catalyst 10.2 Radeon HD 2000 Series
    Radeon HD 3000 Series
    Radeon HD 4000 Series
    Radeon HD 5000 Series
    Radeon HD 6000 Series XP/Vista/7 Catalyst 10.9 Integrated Video     Radeon Xpress 200
    Radeon X1200 XP/Vista/7 Catalyst 10.2 Radeon 2100
    Radeon 3200
    Radeon 3300
    Radeon 4200 XP/Vista/7 Catalyst 10.9
    Nvidia OS Driver Version GeForce FX 5000 series XP
    Vista
    7 175.19
    96.85
    Not supported by manufacturer GeForce 6000 Series
    GeForce 7000 Series
    GeForce 8000 Series
    GeForce 9000 Series
    GeForce 100 Series
    GeForce 200 Series
    GeForce 300 Series
    GeForce 400 Series XP/Vista/7 260.89 Integrated Video     GeForce 6150
    GeForce 7050
    GeForce 7150
    GeForce 8100/8200
    GeForce 9100
    NVIDIA Ion (9400) XP/Vista/7 260.89
    Intel OS Driver Version Intel GMA X4500 Series
    Intel HD Series Vista/7
    XP 15.17.9.2182
    14.42.5.5284

    Unplug your PC and open it up. Read the label on the power supply (PSU).  What is the total wattage and the amperage on the 12+ volt bus?  The amount of 12+ volt amperage is important when selecting a video card.
    HP DV9700, t9300, Nvidia 8600, 4GB, Crucial C300 128GB SSD
    HP Photosmart Premium C309G, HP Photosmart 6520
    HP Touchpad, HP Chromebook 11
    Custom i7-4770k,Z-87, 8GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650,GTX 760
    Custom i7-4790k,Z-97, 16GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Plextor M.2 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650, GTX 660TI
    Windows 7/8 UEFI/Legacy mode, MBR/GPT

  • Need help with graphics card options for an early 2008 mac pro

    Hello,
       I have an early 2008 mac pro with 2 x 3.2 GHz quad core Intel Xeon and 6Gigs of ram, currently running with an Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT with 512mb.
        It is also running 10.7.2.
       I would like to either add a video card on top of the one I am currently running or replace it completely if necessary.
       I do video editing on the Mac, no gaming and only a small amount of photoshop, and as the resolutions get larger I would like to have my machine keep up.
       My questions are,
         1. What cards would you the community suggest?
         2. Can I add a whole other card to my system or do I have to replace the current one?
         3. If I can hold two cards what special accomidations would be needed in regards to final cut performance if any?
        Thank you for any help you would like to give.
      Rob

    The two main cards for mac pros are the apple versions of the  ATI Radeon 5770 and 5870.
    The 5770 requires one aux power adaptor and the 5870 requires two.  So generally you could only have one 5780 or two 5770's.
    Video cards which don't require aux power should be able to coexist with these cards so log as it's all within the power supply maximums of course.

  • Need Help with graphics card

    Today I was told to buy the graphics card GeForce 9800GT for my compaq SR5000. Whin in turn I needed a bigger power supply.  Long story short I am having a problem when I install the video card my computer makes this really loud squeal. Nothing I do is right but I know that it is installed the right way.  Do I have the wrong graphics card. Please anyone can you help me.

    Unfortuately, Compaq does not post the Power Supply rating on their website for your unit, but when you open the case, their should be a sticker on the power supply which lists the maximum Wattage for the unit.  An Nvidia 9800 GT requires at least a 400 Watt Power Supply, so if it is anything less than that, you will have problems.
    Other suggestions;
    The card should be inserted in the PCI Express slot.  Be sure it is fully seated in the slot.  If necessary, start the computer and enter the system BIOS settings.  You may need to disable the onboard video chipset before the system will "see" your new video card.
    As for the noise, make sure you haven't nudged any cables so that they are hitting system case or processor cooling fans.
    Good luck!

  • Help with graphic card problem..

    I want to upgrade the video card on my hp pavilion dv6 1330 and i dunno which one to buy or what fits.. any suggestions on what might fit or where i could get this info.?

    I think it's not possible for u to upgrade u'r graphics chip unless u change the motherboard which u can't change, unless from the parts that are available for u'r laptop
    just when u see the part u'll see that there are graphics chip numbers which are not the chip, but the technology behind them, u'll have to search it to find the chips made with them, to see if that's what u have or not.

  • Need help with video card purchase

    I have a MS 6565 GNB Max mobo. Does anybody know if the MSI FX 5900 will fit the board (ie northbridge and memory) and run at AGP 8x, I currently have an MSI 4400 so length should not be an issue.
    Thanks for the help!

    I have asked my contact at MSI, I will post when I get an answer.
    Otherwise another user may have the same setup and be able to tell you right away.
    Stay tuned.........

  • Premiere Elements 10 - Is Mercury Engine compatible with Graphic Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M

    Premiere Elements 10 - Is Mercury Engine compatible with Graphic Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M?
    I do not see this card listed on the Adobe products page http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/873/cpsid_87347.html but am hoping someone who is more computer savy at Adobe or Nvidia or somewhere else can advise me.
    I'm looking to purchase a laptop with the subject graphics card.
    Rob

    >Will CS5.5
    http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premierepro_current
    See link in my answer yesterday... also...
    For a list of supported nVidia CUDA cards go to the FAQ
    First read http://forums.adobe.com/thread/773101
    PPro Video FAQ http://www.video2brain.com/en/products-118.htm
    http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premierepro_current/cs5_faq_sheet
    Quadro cards compared http://forums.adobe.com/thread/910140

  • Problems with graphics card with CS5

    I am working a freelace gig using a G5 computer with Lion.
    When using CS5 photoshop there seems to be a problem using
    Mode/Index/Custom when using the eyedropper to select colors.
    I use the work around "key command" which is totally anoying.
    There is also a bug with the color picker/eydropper within the documents.
    I read that this has to do with the graphics card.
    Which graphics card do I need to resolve this issue?

    There are known issues/limitations with graphics cards in earlier machines.
    Known issues | Adobe on Mac OS 10.7 Lion
    Tested video cards | Photoshop CS5 - Adobe
    We need to know specific about your Mac Pro (not a G5).
    Click on "About This Mac" from the  in the menu bar, then "More Information" followed by "System Report".
    Tell us what is said for Model Identifier under Hardware Overview, and then what is entered for Video Card under Hardware/Graphics-Displays

  • Need help on new graphic card purchase

    Dear Apple users,
    I am looking for a graphic card to replace an older one. I have searched high and low but have no idea which cards are compatible.
    My existing graphic card which came with my G4 MDD is the Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti (256mb). I am looking for something with an equivalent specification or higher, but since my monitor is still the old 15" widescreen (got that when I purchased the G4 Cube back in 2000), only graphic cards with HDMI support are compatible. Which basically means if I need to replace my monitor as well, I'd still have to get a graphic card.
    I was told that newer graphic cards only have DVI ports instead.
    Do I just get any graphic card with DVI port, or must it be something more specific for the Macintosh? What about AGP or PCI Express? I am not familiar at all with these =(
    For example, if I get the GeForce 7600 GT, will it work? Or do I have to be more specific and get the GeForce 7600 GT for Macintosh?
    Thank you for your recommendations and advice beforehand. If there is any information I haven't provided that may be useful, please do not hesitate to post and I will get back as soon as possible.
    Regards.

    Hi,
    First things first. No apple display has ever shipped with HDMI support. Are you sure you are not referring to ADC?
    It looks like this:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AppleDisplayConnector.jpg
    Does your display look like this?
    http://www.everymac.com/images/monitorpictures/apple_studiodisplay15.jpg
    If so it definitely is ADC.
    Secondly, unfortunately all the latest video cards do not support ADC, you will have to buy an adapter which costs $99 from the Apple online store:
    http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M86 61LL/B
    Your Power Mac only features an AGP slot (not PCI-E found on the latest PCs and Mac Pro). The video card you buy must be a Mac compatible AGP card.
    A good card compatible with your Mac would be the 9800 Pro mac edition:
    http://www.amazon.com/ATI-Radeon-9800-Video-100-435058/dp/B000BJBCGG
    The 9600 Pro is also a good card, not as good as the 9800 Pro of course.
    http://www.amazon.com/ATI-Radeon-9600-PRO-Mac/dp/B000JFKZPQ
    Both cards would be a significant upgrade over your current one.
    Good Luck!

  • Help needed with graphics cards....

    I'm looking to buy final cut studio 2 for my G5 Dual 1.8, i was recommended the AGP X800 Radeon graphics card, which is great!.... but. Getting hold of one is another story, as from what I've been told the company has been out of stock for 8 months, and it's really the only option in upgrading my machine.
    So... I'm guessing I only have one option in terms of being able to use final cut studio, and that's to buy a more up to date machine, a mac pro. Which i don't mind doing. But will the graphics card supplied, ie a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, be enough for video work? i wouldnt be running any games, nor would I be dealing with colour, as i only shoot in black and white, it's more for motion. If it wouldn't suffice, can you recommend a decent graphics card for a Dual Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz mac pro, which is probably what i'd go for.
    Thanks!
    Phil

    For Final Cut Studio yu'd be mad not to upgrade to the ATi X1900 XT. The standard Nvidia 7300 GT just won't cut it.

  • Problems with graphics card with Windows 8 bootcamp on new imac

    I just purchased a new 2013 imac (27inch, with the nvidia geforce gtx 680mx 2gb).
    I partitioned the drive using bootcamp and successfully installed windows 8 pro 64bit as well as the support softward from Apple for the drivers.
    My problem is that the display in windows says it is being run by a Microsoft basic display adapter and only using 256mb of memory and doesn't seem to be an Nvidia card at all, let alone the 2gb of video memory I am supposed to have.
    I have tried downloading drivers directly from Nvidia, but when I run them it says I don't have compatible hardware.
    I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this issue.
    Please help.

    After I read other discussions on the same topic, I found out that the problem is that when you install the drivers via the Bootcamp "windows support software" USB key, for some reason the NVIDIA drivers are not installed, although they are present in the Bootcamp folder.
    How I solved the issue: Starting from the Peripherals Manager window (the one that shows all what is inside your machine), I opened the Graphic card "folder" and double-clicked on the "VGA standard card" line.
    Then I clicked on a "install driver" button, browse through files, and selected the NVIDIA folder within the Bootcamp folder on the USB key.
    It took some time but after that it had fully recognized the GTX 680 MX card.
    I rebooted and the system itself set up to the 2560 x 1440 resolution.

Maybe you are looking for