New Mac question

[JGL]

I am about to get a new machine. I am currently usung a dual 1G Mac with a GeForce 4MX video card (64mb). 1.5M RAM

I am going to upgrade to a G5. The question I have is whether to go with a dual 2G with a top of the line video card (GeForce 6800 Ulta DDL or Radeon 9800 XT. Both are 256mb), or a dual 2.5G with a Radeon 9600 XT 128mb.

I guess the question is which is more important, processor speed, or video card. I am assuming video card.

I am currently using Architect/Renderworks 11.0.1 and do alot of 3D + Renderworks. Sometimes complex models will loose OpenGL interactivity and become wireframe when rotating, etc.

Hope the new machine will solve that!

Sorry for the long post!

[wv_vectorworker]

RENDERWORKS is processor dependant, opengl uses the video cards processor.

[JGL]

So which would be a better combination, faster processor or better video card? Is there really that much difference between 2G dual and a 2.5G?

[APE Design Ctr]

My suggestion will be to get the big processor especially if you are doing lots of Renderworks stuff. I run a G5 Dual 1.8, and I'd love twice the processor.

Take a look at the front end bus speed difference between the 2G and the 2.5G. That makes a big diff on how much info is jammed through the processors.

[APE Design Ctr]

BTW, dont get too excited about huge performance increases yet. VW has some speed issues with OSX. Check out some other threads related to speed. Supposed to be solved with Tiger 10.4

[CipesDesign]

I also run a dual 1.8mhz machine. I upgraded from a dual 450 (G4) when the 1.8's were first released. In contrast to past experience, wherein the "new" machine only seems faster for a short time, I find that my 1.8 still feels fast...That's a good thing!

[JGL]

Thanks! So, the video card is not that important? Or should I upgrade that too? After all, it's only money......

[CipesDesign]

HI JAMES,

A long time ago when I was considering buying a new computer, but worried about the expense my uncle asked me, "Will you use it for work every day?". When I responded, "Yes", he then asked, "How can you afford NOT to buy it?" That is still one of the best pieces of advice around. Maybe it will even make your work more fun :-)

[wv_vectorworker]

I an wondering what is the speed issue everyone is talking about, a bit of lag when selecting an object to it showing up in the info box, or much more importantly, the time you wait for a render?

if rendering speeds ( of Renderworks rendering) are an issue, then I would get the fastest dual processor you can afford.

the faster video cards will give you faster video, gui, opengl rendering, and the like. Tiger will have some nice new imaging tech called Coreimage, you might want to read up on that.