01-09-2008, 12:25 PM

I've been on many forums reading comments on the new nvidia 8800 gt in the new macs.

would there be any benefit in getting just the video card and adding it to my existing quad 2.66 mac pro?

Running a pcie 2.0 card in a 1.1 slot is not really getting the true benefit of the card, but would I notice a significant difference from my ATI x1900?

I run dual 24" screens.

01-09-2008, 08:57 PM

pcie2 offers more power via the slot and a few other features, performance wise the card will pump out the same FPS in pcie 1 or 2.

i run an 8800GT in my Abit IP35-E and it runs fine, you are running it to it's full potential power wise, you just wont get the added pcie 2 additions, which aren't something you would likely notice anyways


What do you use your system for? unless gaming, no, you wont see any diff frm your x1900, if you plan to game, especially ona 24' (i have a dell 24') yes, you will notice you can enjoy more eye candy, AA and AF options and such.

01-09-2008, 11:37 PM

no, no gaming here. I mostly touch up photos and do some video editing. The video I see now in final cut looks ok to me. Just wondering if it would look better.
I have no complaints with the ATI, but then again, I may not be knowledgeable enough to know better.

01-10-2008, 10:33 AM

not likely, for 2d / video work these days most GPU's are top notch (including integrated), it is more the need for better gaming, or playback of HD with less cpu usage these new cards bring, and various other features, if your not gaming, keep your x1900, not sure how final cut usaes the vid card or if the 8800GT will help at all.

have you tried calibrating your monitor?


What doesnt look right about them?

01-12-2008, 12:51 AM

I can't seem to get the color right on them both. I've changed background to grey.
one monitor in the advanced calibration settings when I check the native gamma box sets at 2.2. The other monitor when I check the box defaults to 1.37.

They are the same make and model number of monitor.

01-14-2008, 06:29 PM

i have had the issue with some CRT's trinitron based, i can get one perfect but the other not quite the same, ever, it seems to be a slight imperfection between monitors, this is even using the same video card using both outputs.

if you switch the monitors between systems, does it look correct?

01-14-2008, 10:43 PM

Buy a colorimeter. No two monitors, even when calibrated, will look exactly the same. That goes for two monitors of the same model. A colorimeter is the best way to get them as close as you can.
Out of the box, the monitors probably aren't close, which is why you're having problems.
I like the Spyder2 and that's what I own. The Spyder2Pro is the only Spyder model that supports two monitors.

01-19-2008, 03:19 PM

The 8800 gt is only compatible with the new 64 bit EFI in the new 2008 Mac Pros. The 2006/2007 Mac Pros only have 32 bit EFI.

Besides the 8800 gt, the ATI 1900 xt is still the best card for the Mac Pros. It vastly outperforms the new ATI cards that come standard in the 2008 Mac Pros.

If you are only doing video work, there is no reason to upgrade to the 8800, even if you could.

And even if gaming was your thing, the ATI 1900 xt can handle a lot more than you might think.

Under Bootcamp, I run the Orange Box at maximum settings, and even Crysis at Medium settings, with a few things set to High. I've only noticed a frame rate slow down a few times throughout the entire game at those high settings.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Also, from what I understand, the 8800gt only uses 16x wide lanes, so whether it is used in a PCIe 2.0 or 1.1 slot doesn't matter.

01-20-2008, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by sisuk

And even if gaming was your thing, the ATI 1900 xt can handle a lot more than you might think.

Under Bootcamp, I run the Orange Box at maximum settings, and even Crysis at Medium settings, with a few things set to High. I've only noticed a frame rate slow down a few times throughout the entire game at those high settings.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Also, from what I understand, the 8800gt only uses 16x wide lanes, so whether it is used in a PCIe 2.0 or 1.1 slot doesn't matter.

As long as you vacuum it out often enough. The things are like disk drives (the old joke about how they always become disk brakes eventually). If the fins clog, bye-bye card. As far as the 2.0 vs 1.1 slot thing, thank you. I have been trying to find out about just that.

01-21-2008, 03:20 PM

According to an Engadget article linked to from macrumors.com, an NVIDIA PR person contacted them and said an upgrade kit will be available soon that would make the 8800gt compatible with the older 2006/2007 Mac Pros.

This should be a nice upgrade option for many, especially those who have the stock NVIDIA card in their Mac Pros and wanted to upgrade but were waiting for the new line of cards to come out.