Reasonably Priced Video Card

[Holmeser]

Hi
I'm in the process of buying a Intel Quad Core Barebones System to install and run Mac OSX on, as a cheaper alternative, with similar specs to a Mac Pro Quad Core.
As an upgrade to use alongside my macbook for MultiBoxing. The One flaw the current intel Quad Core Barebones System i'm purchasing is the video card, so i was wondering if anyone could help me with which video card to buy? I need a middle range good value Video Card. If anyone has any ideas it would be a great help.
Thanks

[Enndo]

gtx 260

[jdpatt]

Before you decide on anything, make sure the video card is compatible with OSX, that there's drivers, etc.

I don't know how much support is out there for high end video cards on OSX. I'm a Mac novice, but I'd think you'd have the most success with a card that's been used in Apple manufactured products, such as the Nvidia 8800 or 9600 series or the ATI 4850. Apple isn't exactly famous for using bleeding edge video cards in their systems, so I don't know what your luck would be with something that isn't actually used by Apple in their product line.

[Holmeser]

Yeah thanks i'll look at that, what cards do you guys use?/how many do you box?
Thanks

[Sajuuk]

I box five on a 9600GT 512MB

[Gomotron]

I run both Mac OSX and Vista platforms, so let me tell you what I have noticed in my own personal observations:

The OSX version of WoW is not as efficient as the Windows side. The same processor and system with both systems will not run as well with the same graphics settings on OSX as on Vista. I personally believe that the performance issue has more to do with graphics code optimization for DirectX as opposed to OpenGL.

So, if you are looking to get the most "bang for the buck" I would advise that you use Windows XP/Vista.

[Sam DeathWalker]

I run 6 on the same 9600 1/2G card. Thats with minimal settings and 1280 X 960

[Holmeser]

I run both Mac OSX and Vista platforms, so let me tell you what I have noticed in my own personal observations:

The OSX version of WoW is not as efficient as the Windows side. The same processor and system with both systems will not run as well with the same graphics settings on OSX as on Vista. I personally believe that the performance issue has more to do with graphics code optimization for DirectX as opposed to OpenGL.

So, if you are looking to get the most "bang for the buck" I would advise that you use Windows XP/Vista.

Ok thanks. Although the computer is being built because i multi box and too help me with that, that is not to say i will do anything to get better wow specs. I am very much a mac man and the whole point of this project for me is too see if i can create a macanstein of sorts. From your personal experiences would it be better if I ran both OSX and Vista and used Vista for WOW?
Thanks

[Gomotron]

I think your best bet would be to use a dual boot system, OSX and XP/Vista.

However, I am not sure that Boot Camp for OSX would work with a non-Apple computer, as the Windows drivers that the Boot Camp Assistant creates are specific to the Apple hardware. However, it certainly could still work. I think the biggest obstacle would be getting OSX to run in the first place.

FYI, this is a borderline violation of the policies of this forum, as you are talking about using cracked copies of the OSX software, or cracking your own copy. However, I believe that the license to OSX ties it to Apple products specifically, so porting it to another system may be considered a violation of said license.

[falsfire3401]

I two-box fine with my 9600GSO 768mb card. My main runs at 1280x1024 windowed-maximized with all details set to maximum and I get a steady 40fps (very playable). The slave runs at 800x600 all min. on the 2nd monitor.