2.3 GHz G5 with 2 20" ACDs: which graphics card?

#1 02-05-2006, 03:03 PM

Hi there!

I'm about to upgrade to a dual-core G5 2.3 GHz and I want to operate two 20" Apple Cinema Diplays side by side. Apple claims that the built-in NVIDIA GeForce 6600 should fit the bill, but I would like to know if anyone uses the next-best GeForce 7800 GT instead and if I should spend the extra $$ for this specific card. Would it bring me any more speed with PSCS?

The only other app I'm going to use on this computer is Flexcolor 4.5 for 3f-to-DNG conversion (and this has obviously nothing to do with the graphics card), so I'm really only interested in speed enhancements in Photoshop.

Any opinions? First-hand experiences? Thanks a lot for your help...

Cheers
Jaques

Fred_Tedsen · #2 02-06-2006, 01:35 PM

Jaques,

The 6600 will handle 2 20-inch display with no problem. The 7800 will be better only for application such as Aperture or 3-D games. For things like Photoshop and web browsers and the like, there would be no difference. And the 6600 has the advantage of not having a fan.

#3 02-06-2006, 07:21 PM

Fred,

thank you very much for your input. I appreciate it. Now I know that the 6600 would be enough, since I'm not going to use Aperture...

Ron_Scheffler · #4 02-07-2006, 05:40 AM

Just a heads up regarding monitor colour calibration. I'm running two displays off an ATI 9600 (slightly older card) on a G5 2.3 DP and am only able to calibrate one display (using the Gretag eye-one display2 system). According to Gretag, if I want to calibrate both displays, I must either install a second graphics cards or move up to a higher end model that will allow calibration of each. If having both displays calibrated is important for you, I would suggest you determine whether it will be possible with that video card.