What is the best video card for 3D?

I'm getting a 2008 Mac Pro, will equip it with 10GB of RAM. What is the best video card for 3D rendering? I've read that the stock ATI 2600 card is woefully inadequate. I've also read that the NVIDIA 8800 card is better for gaming, and has caused some problems anyway. I can't spring for the top-end Quadra card that Apple offers. Are there good, cost-effective options for 3D work? Can I even get a video card on the open market that is not flashed by Apple?

Basically there are only three options available:
1. ATI 2600
2. ATI 1900
3. NVidia 8800
The latter is the best of the three. See benchmark results at Bare Feats.
You cannot use a video card not provided by Apple because they will not work with OS X or the hardware.

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TS1935 I have the video card model . What is the best video card for a 1.6GHz PowerPC G5 please?

Hello
What is the best (most modern and reliable) video card (AGP) which will work in a 1.6GHz PowerPC G5 (mid 2003)?
I believe I have ATY,RV350, and according to the attached article, it may be causing video start up problems.
Thank you
Adam

Hi Adam,
See japamacs page here on the best AGP cards for G4s & G5s...
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/4B4B7BA2-7ABB-47F1-87AC-B03D379 42BEE.html
Rated slowest on top, fastest on bottom.
Though with no power loght & such, I'm not sure that is the problem or not... does the Hard drive(s) spin up?

What is the best video card for an Early 2008 Mac Pro

I have an early mac pro with a solid state drive. I use Adobe CC 2014. The old video card is not working. I loaded Yosemite and have bad problems using Prem Pro CC.
Any suggestions on the most suitable video card?

We love it when people want us to guess what video card and other items you have .... price is no object of course right.... and you want CUDA? so that means a GTX this time instead of what you have (5770 upgrade? no, the original 2600XT that really should have been ditched long ago).
Yosemite also makes more demands on the GPU.
The GTX 680 Mac Edition EVGA would be the first, though people are using even newer graphic cards in the Nvidia line.
New Nvidia GTX 970 and 980 - cMP? ( 1 2 3 4 5 6)

What's the best video card for both Premiere and AE on an iMac?

I remember seeing that one card works great with Premiere but then AE doesn't like it as much for 3D.
I have Premiere CC but only CS5 for AE. I might subscribe to AE CC if it's worth it.

We love it when people want us to guess what video card and other items you have .... price is no object of course right.... and you want CUDA? so that means a GTX this time instead of what you have (5770 upgrade? no, the original 2600XT that really should have been ditched long ago).
Yosemite also makes more demands on the GPU.
The GTX 680 Mac Edition EVGA would be the first, though people are using even newer graphic cards in the Nvidia line.
New Nvidia GTX 970 and 980 - cMP? ( 1 2 3 4 5 6)

WHAT IS THE BEST VIDEO CARD FOR FINAL CUT PRO and MOTION?

Hello folks,
I have found a lot of posts regarding all kinds of troubles with ATI READEON X1900 video card.
When I talked to people from Apple, trying to decide which videocard to install in new MAC PRO, Ati Radeon X1900 was the one they did recommand for FCP and Motion. So are there any other cards which would actually suite better for Final Cut Studio2, or is Ati Radeon X1900 really the one to go with?
Thanks for any suggestions,
Kootenay

Techreport has some more information on the new 55nm Radeon (X3000) which should be another "mid November" releases, as well as an updated 8800 GT that still is under wraps.
So seems Intel and everyone else is trying to get new products out before the end of the year, if possible.
Drivers for graphics controllers may or may not need the work that sometimes seems to plague companies.

What is the best video card for late 2003 PM G4 MDD'?

I, currently, use an ATI 9600 PC/Mac edition 256 MB card in this Mac.
It's performance is okay for most things except for 720p video.
I know it will never be possible for this old workhouse to view and play 1080p video, but I am on the hunt
For a better card that may get me better streaming and playback of 720p video as well as better/faster capatibilty on
OS X 10.5.8.

Does this particular card need additonal power from the power supply?
Yes.
If so, where does this plug into?
Pull it from a hard drive power connector or use a Molex splitter if all are in use.
Is the MDD power supply able to handle extra powering of a video card?
Yes.
the instructions mention using this card with a PCI slot cooler?
Optional, but due to the MDD being a hot beast not a bad idea.
Are these cheap and where can I purchase, easily either from electronics chain or internet?
Cheap and easy.
http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-cyclo-blue-slotcooler.html
Can this card be used without it or the temps inside the MDD be too high.
YMMV. Depends on how hot the MDD runs and how far overclocked the X3 is.
My experience with video cards is , usually, plug and play made for Mac cards.
This ain't a Mac card. It's a hacked for Mac card. Things are different on the dark side, and usually a lot faster.....
Can the slot cooler be placed in any open PCI slot?
Yes.
Does it have to be near the video card?
Doesn't matter. It's there to help with the MDD heat issues.
Where does this plug in to get power to the fan?
Same as the graphics card with the same answer regarding PSU ability, etc., etc.
Will I have to move PCI cards around to install the slot cooler?
Dunno. Ain't seen inside your machine.
Will this fan make my MDD even more noisier than it is now.
Add two fans, likely.
The linked PCI cooler isn't loud, and the X3 is only loud running full tilt.
The MDD's regular fans never power down.
Doe you use CHUD and Nap mode? If not, your wrong.....
567DFEE3-A0A8-4602-9722-FCFCD76D8837.html
Need some help from all of you and maybe some procedures and pics of an actual installation.
You're asking an awful lot, especially since you gave the points to the guys that don't put any work (or money) into this subject....

What is the best video card for my G4/733/Quicksilver?

I currently have a great 128mg Radeon dual output card but video/graphics (Dashboard, flash sights, etc.) is pretty sluggish. I'm not gaming but I want things to be smooth graphically... especially to utilize the OpenGL. (Don't know really what this means but from what I have read it's important to have a card that utilizes this.) I don't know much about this but would like some guidence. I'm not wanting to spend that much... under $100.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
SB

Look at:
<http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/630ATI96G4/>
Upgrading to OSX Tiger will take advantage of the Core Image support on this board.
Download and install "ATI Displays 4.5.7" and "ATI OS9 RADEON Update" before you install the card. If you are not using the latest OSX, also install the OSX ATI driver update from ATI.

What is the best Video Card I can get for an Early 2008 Mac Pro?

What is the best Video Card I can get for an Early 2009 Mac Pro3,1?

A 3,1 is "Early 2008" with DDR2 FBDIMMs, Intel 54xx Harpertown, and not 2009 Nehalem with DDR3.
http://www.barefeats.com bench tests. A 3,1 does not improve as much due to its old PCIe 2.0 implementation for one thing.
"Best" is hugely subjective. For what? cost versus performance and whether you need CUDA support or AMD - dual AMD's for FCP-X for instance.
I think GTX 970 right now is close to "best".
And of course shop here:
http://www.macvidcards.com

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.

What is the best video converter for DVD to iMovie? Either free or to purchase.

What is the best video converter for DVD to iMovie? Either free or to purchase. And one that is 'fool-proof' and very easy to use. Many thanks, anyone who can advise.

You want to 'reverse engineer' the compressed mpeg2 DVD file back to something iMovie can use?
You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
(unless you are running Lion in which case see below))
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.
And from the TOU of these forums:
Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store.
If you are running Lion:
From the MPEG Streamclip homepage
The installer of the MPEG-2 Playback Component may refuse to install the component in Lion. Apple states the component is unnecessary in Lion, however MPEG Streamclip still needs it.
To install the component in Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b7 beta above; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required.
The current versions of MPEG Streamclip cannot take advantage of the built-in MPEG-2 functionality of Lion. For MPEG-2 files you still need to install the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, which is not preinstalled in Lion. You don't have to install QuickTime 7.

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

What is the best video converter for high quality MPEG-4 for Apple TV?

What is the best video converter for high quality MPEG-4 for Apple TV?

Handbrake won't convert AVI files, But there are many more than those mentioned that will
The choice of conversion software is a personal choice, I have around a dozen applications that will tackle AVI's, however VisualHub is not one of them, not because there is anything wrong with it but rather I have enough such applications in my arsenal already.
I would use mpegstreamclip in most scenarios for what you are wanting to do but maybe not always. It is a good idea to have a few applications to choose from as not all do the same thing. mpegstreamclip has a few more options than some bog standard applications without becoming overburdening with choices.
You might want to try a few applications yourself before deciding on the software for you. isquint is a free limited version of visualhub, you might want to give that a whirl to get a feeling for visualhub.
Be aware though that quality conversions do not happen quickly, claims of being faster than other applications may well be correct, but are usually a trade off against quality. Again you need to choose your software to reflect your preferred balance between speed and quality.
Here's how I use mpegstreamclip, http://web.me.com/gartside1104/z008/Mpegstreamclip.html but your AVI's may well be low quality, you shouldn't set the bitrate any higher than your source file and likely lower, you shouldn't increase the frame size either.
Message was edited by: Winston Churchill

What is the best video converter for iPhone?

My last question was deleted I guess because I was not specific enough. I have a Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam® Camcorder which writes everything onto mini DVDs. I am looking for a good video converter to convert my home movies with. I am using Roxio Crunch, but it doesn't do as good of a job as I had hoped. What is the best video converter to use?
P.S. Please don't delete my question again Apple.

It was probably deleted because you said that it was in violation of the TOU, which I have read. I own all rights to DVDs which I myself have created, and I give myself permission to copy said DVDs for whatever reasons I wish. I am in no way violating the TOU: "Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store" because I am in no way trying to "work around" any sort of DRM, and I created the home movies and in no way was the iTunes Store involved; that is unless somehow a movie of my nephew's birthday is now available on iTunes. And I don't own an iPod video, I own an iPhone, which is why the question says "What is the best video converter FOR IPHONE?" and is why I am in an iPhone forum.
Message was edited by: supermanguy87
Message was edited by: supermanguy87

What is the best video card my computer can handle?

Hi I currently have this HP Desktop PC: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02636777&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=505...
I wanted to know what the best video card this computer can handle WITHOUT replacing the power supply.
this computer has a power supply of 250W but I was told that it could handle a Radeon HD 5570 but the 5570 requires "Stream Processors: 400 Stream Processing Units " does that mean it requires 400W power supply?
My questions:
1) Can my HP PC handle the Radeon HD 5570?
2) If it can't what is the best video card that my computer can handle that is BETTER than the one it comes with, NVIDA GeForce 6150 SE?

Hi,
I would recommend that you upgrade your power supply and not go against the video card manufacturer's recommendation.
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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

What is the Best Graphics Card for G4 Gigabit Ethernet?

Hi, i use my trusty g4 dual 450 at the moment and i cant help but feel sorry for it.
I think it could do with a bit more ZING
I was looking though some of the graphics card upgrades avalable and i want to make sure i get the best
that i can get for it. I thought the ATI Radeon 9800 pro with 128mb vram was the best i could do but lately
i found better ones that would supposedly work with it.
Can anybody help out a die-hard G4 fan and say whats the best my mac can handle?
Oh yea, I want to see if i can manage to play minecraft well/desently on my mac
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I was hoping japamac would reply first, but...
See japamacs page here on the best AGP cards for G4s & G5s...
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/4B4B7BA2-7ABB-47F1-87AC-B03D379 42BEE.html
You need an AGP 2 x card.

What is the best video card for 3D?

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