-
Video Card question
I’ve recently bougth final cut studio 2, to instal on my macDualG5 2.0. My purpose is to edit Full HDV footage, and learn Apple Color without being at my work place.
It’s a old computer, that is away from production line for about one year, so now stress for me with slow rendering, and exporting.
But recently, when i try to edit Full HD footage from the Canon Mark II, the mac works ok, but the video card just is too slow, is an also old AGP ATI Mobility Radeon 9550.
I want to replace it, but the AGP video cards were discontinued, and my mac only have AGP and no PciX.
Today i found an on-line store, https://www.dvwarehouse.com, that have old video cards with the label refurbished, i guess is “ex-damaged” video cards, but with warrantyThere are 3 video cards, that could serve my upgrade purpouse:
ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB DVI/ADC
ATI Radeon 9800XT 256MB DVI/ADC
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL 256MB DVI/DVI for PowerMac G5So, after this long text (i’m sorry for that, but just trying to contextualize), i would like to ask any advice or opinion about this video cards.
I’m not very expert in hardware. It would be a great help.Thanks in advance,
Ricardo -
4 Replies
-
The video card is going to make very little difference. The programs that take advantage of the graphic cards are Motion and Color but I don’t believe any of those cards are within there spec. FCP does not use any of the GPU to render or for RT speed. I would recommend saving the money and getting a Mac Pro. even an iMac would run a lot faster than your system.
-
ok. thanks for the reply.
I understand your point of view, but i can´t do that investment now, so i’ve to make an option, 300$ now, or nothing in one year.
Thnak you -
fcp *DOES* use the GPU very much to render RT effects. changing the card can and will have an effect on how much RT you get, especially with filters. I’ve changed cards in machines and seen red areas go to yellow, yellow go to green.
out of the bunch, the 6800GT is the best card by far BUT its a full length card, overlaps the next slot so you can’t use it, and sucks power ( makes heat )
if you can find an ATi X800 card, its 5-10% faster, and 1/2 length. it also doesn’t cover the next PCI slot – if that means anything to you.
I’d really not spend money on the machine unless you are getting the card for really really cheap. the 9800’s are pretty much worthless, the 6800GT has some value, the X800 will get top dollar because of its smaller size and better performance… or save your cash for a new machine !
-
Great!
thanks Steve, your post is a great help to me.
I will start looking for the boards you had refered.Once again thank for the help.
Best regards
Ricardo
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up