[MacDV] Do I need a new video card?

[Nick Scalise]

> From: rgb at ellerbach.com
> Date: 2006/01/03 Tue PM 12:17:24 EST
> To: "A place to discuss digital video on Macintosh." 
<macdv at listserver.themacintoshguy.com>
> Subject: Re: [MacDV] Do I need a new video card?
> 
> Max out the RAM first. You'll see benefits across the board. After that
> you might consider a new graphics card but you also may see that all the
> perceived problems you have now simply go away with the extra RAM. I 
have
> my dual G4 at 2GB RAM.
> 
> Rich
> 
> On Tue, January 3, 2006 11:49 am, Thaddeus Camp said:
> > I apologize for the basic nature of this question - but here it goes:
> > what exactly does a video card do and what benefits could I expect
> > (if any) in primarily FCP (secondarily iPhoto, and Photoshop) by
> > getting a better video card?
> >
> > I am primarily trying to get better performance out of FCP and trying
> > to decide where to put my money - RAM or improved video card. In
> > anticipation of the answer "both," which would you prioritize given
> > that funds are limited?
> >
> > My set up is Dual 1.8 G5, relatively low amount of RAM at 512meg, 2
> > external fw drive, and the stock GeForce FX 5200 driving a 17" Apple
> > Studio Display and a 17" Samtron CRT.
> >
> > I imagine myself to have a somewhat decent system but FCP still
> > stutters when editing at "Safe RT" and medium playback quality; I
> > would like to improve FCP performance and just learn what I can
> > expect from getting a better video card.

2GB should be your minimum. G5's start flying at 4GB.

<http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G5/8GB_RAM_Tests/
G5_8GB_ram_tests.html>

--
Nick Scalise
nickscalise at cox.net