RAM or Graphics?

I use a program called WoW Model Viewer through parallels which shows model animations from World of Warcraft. When the animations are bigger / closer to screen, it starts dropping frames and lags. Which is needed to improve the frame rate on animations? RAM or Graphics?
I currently have 2GB of RAM and ATI Radeon HD 2400 graphics card w/ 20" 2nd generation iMac

Adding more RAM could provide minimal help, but you cannot change the GPU in an iMac, so there's really little you can do. Virtualization software generally does poorly with games requiring intensive use of the GPU.

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Maximum boosts to RAM and graphics card for iMac G5 PowerMac 8.1?

Hi.
Just bought this still excellent machine secondhand with a 3 month rtb warranty.
It currently has these specs, and I'd like to know what level I can take them to at maximum for Graphics Card, RAM and maybe hard drive.
Machine Name: iMac G5
Machine Model: PowerMac8,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.0)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.6 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.2f2
Graphics
Chipset Model: GeForce FX 5200
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: AGP
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0329
Revision ID: 0x00b1
ROM Revision: 2103
Displays:
iMac:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
2 slots x 512MB
DIMM0/J4000:
Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC3200U-30330
Status: OK
DIMM1/J4001:
Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC3200U-30330
Status: OK
Hard Drive 74.41 GB
Thanks and happy Ostara!
blessed be
twopaw

Hello Niel
Thanks. I didn't realize that I can get up to a TB! Wow! What type of TB do I buy, any suggestions of specific ones? Is there G5 specific Tb disks to install? Or just any as long as they have the right measurement size? And what size do I need to remain within?
blessed be
Samantha

Whats with the ram and graphics?

my macbook has a intel x3100 gma950 chipset. is it possible to increase the memory usage of the graphics manually?
or can it be done if i increase my ram to 2gb( i have a 1gb ram)?
and what is its maximum capability for graphics memory usage?i know it says 144 mb for the graphics , but is it the minimum or the maximum?
thanks

No, it is not possible to change the memory usage of the X3100. Increasing your base RAM from 1GB to 2GB won't affect how much the X3100 uses, though upgrading to 2GB should in general improve your overall system performance.
The X3100 can handle up to 384MB of RAM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IntelGMA#GMAX3100

RAM and graphics card problem?

Hi, I recently purchased an Macbook pro that has already been bootcamped with windows 7 ultimate. My issue is that the windows partition is only recognising 2 GB of my installed 8GB of RAM, the windows 7 operating system is only 32bit so I know I will only get a maximum of 4GB but why is it only reognising 2GB?
Another problem is that the windows side is using the incorrect graphics card, in this macbook there are the GT9600 and 9400 from nvidia, is there anyway to change which graphics card windows uses?
any help would be greatly appreciated!

Use the new RAM. The stuff from Amazon is nice and using all the same set IS best policy.
New on A1:2 and whatever else in B1:2
4 or 8 DIMMs is what you want to use. There is small higher latency using 6 or 8.
For best performance on Mac Pro, install memory in risers symmetrically
The Mac Pro comes with two memory riser cards, each with four DIMM slots. With a total of eight slots, you can add up to 16 GB of memory.
Note: DIMMs must be installed in pairs of equal size from the same vendor. For instance, you must not have one or three DIMMs on either riser at any time. Additionally, two DIMMs from different vendors should not be combined and used as a pair.
Other configurations of DIMM pairs are still compatible with Final Cut Studio, but may not achieve the same performance levels as when DIMM pairs are installed on both risers evenly.
Riser A contains:
Riser B contains:
2 x 512MB
2 x 512MB
2 x 1GB
2 x 1GB
2 x 2GB
2 x 2GB
4 x 512MB
4 x 512MB
4 x 1GB
4 x 1GB
4 x 2GB
4 x 2GB
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS1957

RAM and Graphics Card

I know this is a stupid question but like a PC will the MBP run any PCI-Express Graphics Card even if made for a workstation? Will it fit? And can the MBP run like 4GB of Ram let's say if we were to use a PC chip? What are the size differences with Desktop and Notebook Ram? Does the firmware just not support anything else?

Fair enough, I stand corrected Guru Sahib - (unless it's not Apple software). I was only kidding - no offence meant.
As for ram, the Powermacs take Dimms not Sodimms and if I remember correctly they take DDR2 PC4200 wheras the MBP takes DDR2 PC 5300 SoDimms. If you take a look at www.macsales.com you can check the different memory for the various machines - the latest imacs also take sodimms.
With regard to the PCI - there are two issues, physical form factor - will not fit and then specs - I think it's a reasonable supposition that PCI express on the MBP will have similar throughput to the PCI express on the PowerMac, but to be sure I would advise you give NVidia a call - they will have more precise information than Apple could give you.
Given your requirements you could test 2 x 2gb Sodimms in the MBP - they are very expensive and officially Apple only support 2 x 1gb - but that may just be down to the lack of availability of 2gb sodimms.
You may want to consider whether an MBP is going to cut it coming from a G5 - especially when there is the option of going for a quad, and also it's not that long until Aug/Sept when some are expecting the intel replacement for the G5 - I'd imagine with the new 64 bit intel chip Conroe I think it's called.
I don't think you can physically put a workstation card on an MBP - with an adapter perhaps, but it may be that NVidia have a native solution which is why I would call them.
Anyway, if I think of any more I'll post back. In the meantime I'd suggest a post on the Final Cut forum about the PCI - I'd mention the card you're using and ask if there is an equivalent express card.
Very best of luck with the new biz.
Cheers.

Portege 4000 - RAM upgrade & graphic card driver installation

I'm having a few issues with my Portege 4000 at the moment. I installed XP on one disk, but will need more RAM as I only have 256MB...
- Have tried 2 manufacturers but the PC133 512 isn't compatible. However my system has an IBM chip of PC100 256 in it, which was bought at an earlier stage last year, after much trial and error, and I'm now wondering whether the motherboard will be more suited to PC100 rather than PC133?
- Am considering alternative options to XP, namely 98SE or 2000 as these are lighter operating systems. I can put this on an alternative (test) disk. Is it possible to set up a partition for the Recovery CD Rom (which has 98SE) on it and have some space left over for installing another Linux o/s or does its partition manager overwrite everything?
- I have put another post for .exe drivers relating to the display/vga for 98SE and 2000.
- Just fyi, not all Linux distros seem to pick up on the monitor size, so this takes some work...
Many Thanks for any help.

> Have tried 2 manufacturers but the PC133 512 isn't compatible. However my system has an IBM chip of PC100 256 in it, which was bought at an earlier stage last year, after much trial and error, and I'm now wondering whether the motherboard will be more suited to PC100 rather than PC133?
The Protege 4000 is compatible with PC133 modules! As far as I know you can upgrade this notebook's RAM to 1GB (1024MB) and you could use these modules;
PC133 512MB (PA3108U-1M51)
PC133 256MB (PA3086U-1M25)
PC133 128MB (PA3085U-1M12)
> Am considering alternative options to XP, namely 98SE or 2000 as these are lighter operating systems. I can put this on an alternative (test) disk. Is it possible to set up a partition for the Recovery CD Rom (which has 98SE) on it and have some space left over for installing another Linux o/s or does its partition manager overwrite everything?
You could create some partitions on the HDD using an 3rd party tool like Partitions Magic 8. I use this tool and it's really nice.
After you have created 2 or three partitions on the HDD, you could install different OS (operating systems.)

2.4Ghz Quadcore, 8GB RAM, 650M Graphics.. Good enough for Gaming?

Hi Guys,
Im looking at buying the retina macbook pro with the above specs, i like to play call of duty 2/4 and counterstrike, would i be able to game comfortably with these specs, i.e high fps/smooth, i wont just be using macbook for gaming as im a graphics designer but i do love occasional multiplayer game.
many thanks

Pete77777 wrote:
do processors make a difference to fps ingame?
Not as much as the performance of the graphics chip, because that is what does all the heavy lifting as far as rending on the screen. Intel HD 3000, 4000 etc., only graphics is really poor as it's only CPU based.
It's really not advised to use a expensive Mac laptop for 3D gaming, especially the Retina because it's sealed.
The reason is the hotter the Mac gets, the more air it has to draw in to cool the machine, which more vent clogging dust it inhales which overheats the machine and tends to shorten it's lifespan. Also using the inferior bubble membrane keyboard too much tends to wear it out.
If you want to 3D game, either buy a dedicated Windows 7 3D gaming tower so you can clean the dust out, upgrade the graphics card and be compatible with everyone else, use tougher keyboards (clicky clack types) and so forth, or if your budget can't do that and the Mac, then a PS3 or a XBox.
3D games are always improving, new ones come out and require better video cards, you can't upgrade a video card in a laptop. So you won't be playing for long.
OS X changes every year, so it breaks games. Windows 7 will remain so until 2020.
http://www.cbscores.com/index.php?sort=ogl&order=desc
TigerDirect will help you build a gaming PC, and with this video card you'll likely never have to upgrade it.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/campaigns/deals.asp?campaignid=2524

Firefox 4 for the Mac OSX is hanging much too often and does not respond to the "QUIT" Command for a time, i dont know if this is just me, but im running Quad Core i5 2.6ghz and 8 GB RAM the Graphics card is the Macbook Pro factory one

this happens when the browser opens websites in tabs after a period of time, i dont know how the Hang occurs but FF4 is not secure enough for me, so i downgraded to FF3.6 just for stability.

this happens when the browser opens websites in tabs after a period of time, i dont know how the Hang occurs but FF4 is not secure enough for me, so i downgraded to FF3.6 just for stability.

Is my graphics card/driver/motherboard able to be upgraded to increase video ram?

Hi,
I have a Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC 0591110000204720000620100 and I was wondering if there was anyway to upgrade my video ram or graphics abilities. I currently have the Intel(R) HD Graphics Family chip with 1696 MB Total Available Graphics Memory, with 64 MB as Dedicated Video Memory.
Thank you to those who answer,
Kevin

Hi,
Buy a new machine, you will edning up workable machine and could be cheaper.
Regards.
BH
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RAM & graphics card advice

Was hoping to get some advice re: RAM & a graphics card upgrade for my macpro.
I have been using Premiere pro CS 5.5 & FCP 7.0.3 on my macpro for a little while with no issues
(along with the other apps in the suites: AE, PS, compressor, DVDSP, etc).
For the CUDA acceleration the Adobe site recommends that I ugrade to one of these cards:
GeForce GTX 285 for Mac
Quadro FX 4800 for Mac
Quadro 4000 for Mac
I also just received a copy of Avid Media Composer 5.5 & have been waiting to install it based on Avid approving stability for OS 10.6.8 + not sure how the matrox card is working for them yet either.
Would anyone recommend one of these above cards specifically for use with all 3 applications?
Was also looking at putting in 24 GB of RAM as well. Assume I can always use more, but how much?
Is there anybody running a similar setup as this on OS 10.6.8?
I know there are a number of editors on here that may use all 3 apps (FCP, PP, & Avid), but I am not sure if they run on the same computer without issues, or what the setup may be.
From what I have read online it looks like there are lots of issues with the 4000, but it is hard to tell if that is reliable info as some of the posters have found out they had bad RAM, or it was some other problem they introduced.
Mostly i see that they recommend the GTX 285 card if I can find one, but I am unsure which way to go. Any suggestions?
MacPro Specs are:
Mac OS 10.6.8
MacPro4,1
Processor - 2 X 2.26 GHz Quad core Intel Xeon (8 cores)
memory - 6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3
graphics card - NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 (512MB VRAM)
also have a matrox mini card installed
under system profiler - memory it says:
Type is DDR3 ECC, speed 1066 MHz
THANKS!

Last I talked to Matrox, the MC5 driver install for the MXO2 mini is different than the install for CS5. I don't know if they changed that with the new Matrox tools but you will want to contact them and see. If not then you will only be able to setup the Matrox for 1 or the other since I doubt you can install both and they work without issue
The Quadro 4000 is best for Adobe versus the other 2. The differences between the cards really tont effect MC5 but they recommend a Quadro because that's what they test with.
Eric
ADK

Low memory when using programs like iPhoto, office at the same time I have 4 GB ram

low memory when using programs like iPhoto, office at the same time I have 4 GB memory ram 3000 graphics 384 mb

Do you have a question?

What is the Best Power MAC G5 for Graphic Design and Video Edit

I need the Best Power MAC G5 Processor CPU
and Ram HDD Graphic card for Graphic Design and Video Edit
and the name of the Processor
how much the price

Hi GabreilKnight;
You are aware that the PowerMac G5 is no longer being produced hence if you find one it will be on the used market?
For what you are looking at doing I would suggest that you consider a Mac Pro instead.
Allan

Graphics for HP Envy 15 J073cl

I am wanting to upgrade my graphics on my laptop. I have a few questions and need your guys help.
Current stock specs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03909852&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...
AMD Radeon HD 8650G graphics with up to 6252MB total graphics memory.
If I understand correctly the graphics card is in the proccessor itself and not a card connected to the motherboard. So would I be able to add a card somewhere in the laptop? What does up too 6252MB memory mean? If not, can I change the AMD proccessor to a better one with better graphics. I have built about five desktop pc's so changeing a processor would be something I could figure out. What are my options here?

MitchMan wrote:
I am wanting to upgrade my graphics on my laptop. I have a few questions and need your guys help.
Current stock specs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03909852&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...
AMD Radeon HD 8650G graphics with up to 6252MB total graphics memory.
If I understand correctly the graphics card is in the proccessor itself and not a card connected to the motherboard. So would I be able to add a card somewhere in the laptop? What does up too 6252MB memory mean? If not, can I change the AMD proccessor to a better one with better graphics. I have built about five desktop pc's so changeing a processor would be something I could figure out. What are my options here?
Hi,
That's correct. The graphics card is embedded in the CPU. The embedded graphics uses the main laptop memory so if you upgrade to the max possible RAM the graphics card will reserve 6252MB for itself and the rest of the memory will be used for the system.
You cannot upgrade this laptop to a dedicated graphics card (use it's own memory nVidia, HD Radeon M..). The dedicated cards are soldered to the motherboard so the only option is to replace the motherboard with a compatible one that has the dedicated graphics card already on board. You can find the compatible boards and processors in the Maintenance and Service Guide: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03733656.pdf
Dv6-7000 /Full HD/Core i5-3360M/GF 650M/Corsair 8GB/Intel 7260AC/Samsung Pro 256GB
Testing - HP 15-p000
HP Touchpad provided by HP
Currently on Debian Wheeze
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Graphic Problem

I have Macpro Quadcore 2.93 With NVIDIA GeForce GT 120,
With a dell U2711 connected to it, and I cant get it to work properly in max resolution 2560*1440, I can switch to the resolution but its all blurry.
Max Resolution I get is 1920*1080.
I guess the graphic card is crappy, and I was thinking of getting the
GeForce GTX 285 1GB. Anyone knows if this will work better ?

Hi peter2,
I can switch to the resolution but its all blurry.
Do you mean that you have selected the resolution in "Displays" under "System Preferences", or are you using a switch on the Dell display itself?
Sorry, if this seems an obvious question, but I am not familiar with Dell monitors.
My 2009 Mac Pro came originally with the GT120, and I had no problem getting the 2560 x 1600 maximum resolution on my 30" NEC Multisync display. In fact I didn't even have to set in "System Preferences", because that resolution was selected automatically.
I had no problems at all with the GT120, but I changed to the Radeon HD4870 when I upgraded my drives, RAM, and graphics card after a few months.
There was a very noticeable increase in performance over the GT120, and, if you do upgrade your graphics card, I would recommend the HD4870 over the GTX285.
Regards,
Bill

T400 Vista only 2.5G of RAM showing

I have had 3G and 4G of RAM installed in this T400. Control Panel->System shows the correct amount of physical RAM in either case. Either way, Task Manager only shows 2.5G total. I understand that the 4G address space gets consumed to some extent by device mappings (or potential device mappings) including the discrete graphics. And that the chipset graphics grab some actual RAM.
However, even with both of those a max of 2.5G is ridiculous. Especially with 4G installed.
(My T61 makes all 3G available, and my deskside with 4G installed still makes 3.5 avaiable)
Any ideas on how to improve this? Any hope of BIOS mods, different chipset drivers, ???
I bought this thing because it had switchable graphics and an XP downgrade - unfortunately the sales person didn't tell me that they weren't compatible - and because it could take 4G of RAM, since I need to run some virtual machines that need RAM.
Grrr.
The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
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Solved!
Go to Solution.

Is it bad manners to answer a few of my own questions? I've been swapping memory sticks in and out and toggling BIOS between discrete and integrated graphics with switchable graphics and detection disabled. Some interesting numbers regarding available RAM and (very rough) power consumption/battery life:
Baseline: Switchable graphics enabled, either 3G or 4G of RAM installed: total in Task Manager/performance -> 2517MB.
Switchable graphics disabled, 3G RAM: integrated graphics -> still 2517MB, discrete graphics -> 2553MB. oh boy!
Switchable graphics disabled, 4G RAM: integrated graphics -> 3029MB, discrete graphics -> 3065MB. better!
Power consumption/battery life w/9cell, just desktop and a vim window open, 95% charge: integrated graphics ->6:30, discrete graphics -> varied from 4:30 to 5:30. Looks like ATI has some kind of adaptive power thing going on.
Switching to integrated graphics only in BIOS required a boot to let the driver (re)install, then a reboot to get back to a useful system with correct resolution. -- On further experimentation, it looks like the double boot to switch to intel integrated graphics only happens when done along with a RAM size change. Need to test that further.
So, it is possible to stretch the available RAM by shutting off one of the graphics units and stuffing in 4G of RAM. It's a little expensive and feels wasteful, but the bump for switchable was only $75US. I imagine I'll run this thing w/4G RAM and only the Intel integrated graphics turned on unless I have some presentation thing going on that requires the fancy graphics controller (not likely for this elderly hardware nerd).
Maybe the above will be useful to someone. Please correct any typos, thinkos, or factual errors. I'll get around to posting this @ www.beezmo.com one of these days along with some other thinkpad notes.
Now I've go to go screw down the palm rest...
Message Edited by zoltanthegypsy on 10-01-2008 02:36 PM
Message Edited by zoltanthegypsy on 10-01-2008 02:39 PM
Message Edited by zoltanthegypsy on 10-01-2008 02:49 PM
The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
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RAM or Graphics?

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