Mac Pro Video card

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Angioman

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I am configuring a new Mac Pro. Probable will go 8 core, and I have reviewed digital Llyod's posts regarding memory and drive configuration. My question is which video card and how many. ATI Radeon HD 487' 512MB vs. NVIDIA GeForce GT 12' 512MB? Mac website is confusing regarding whether two monitors requires two cards. Currently working on a single 24" display, hoping to add a second (possible 28").

Workstation is for processing my RAW workflow, mostly LR (switching from Aperture) and CS4. Cost not a huge issue. Upgrading old Power Mac and adding to MBP 2.4 dual core and 24" IMAC 3.'6 duo (not used for photo).

Regards,
Kurt
 
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LR does not really use the video card, so pretty much any mid-level card you choose will be fine. At some point in the not too distant future however more and more applications are going to be leveraging the GPU in their calculations, and especially with Snow Leopard due to be released in a couple months, it wouldn't hurt to get a faster video card just to be future-proof. Right now you won't see too much gain, though CS4 will make some use of it, but in the future it potentially could make a big difference.
 
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Really? I know from reading many posts in Aperture forums that video card can significantly impact performance, so just surprised by your comment.

Anyone know whether two cards are required for second monitor?

Thanks
 
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Aperture does make significant use of the graphics card, whereas Lightroom doesn't. Depends on which program you want to use.

The graphics cards have 2 display ports - even the low end.
 
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Your signature indicates you use Photoshop CS4 as well. Photoshop takes more advantage of the card than LR does, which might play into your decision.

Also, as JNEV mentioned, you don't need to go all out, but it doesn't hurt to get something fairly peppy as more and more apps will take advantage of it.
 
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Thanks everyone for your comments. Interesting that LR is not as card dependent as AP. I am in the process of switching over to LR, for several reasons but mostly performance issues with AP. I really limit my CS4 edits (mostly using Nik for special effects and local tools in LR for non-global development) so I am not too concerned about PS performance.

Breyman - I kinda agree with going for the faster card, which I "assume" is the newer ATI.

Regards,
Kurt
 
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I'm a PC user so I can't say definatively, but it does appear (after a bit of Google searching) that the ATI is the faster card.
 
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