Two 4850s in CF is still hard to beat.
Probably even beat the GTX 285.

Every now and then I hear about heat or noise issues but who knows why.
Maybe the card was too far overclocked or maybe the computer was in a very hot room.
But you've got a Zalman cooler so you should be golden.

I've got an idea on a way you could spend some money.
How about buying a Core i7 965 processor, liquid cool the thing and overclock it to 5.5GHz?

I forget. What games games do you like play?
If I remember correctly, Q3A, Unreal Tournamnet, and Crysis?

I put my order in for the GTX 285.

I have been looking at numerous web sites regarding flashed 4870 and 4890 video cards.

The one thing that all these flashed video cards have in common; they all have a 2.5 GT/s "link speed."
My Mac Pro takes video cards with 5.0 GT/s "link speeds" but it is backwards compatible with 2.5 GT/s video cards.
They tell me that video cards can't use all that bandwidth (5.0 GT/s) anyway but I still want to stay with my 5.0 GT/s "link speed."

I then only have two choices; the HD 4870 512MB card or the GTX 285 1GB card.
Since I want a 1 GB card, the GTX 285 is the one and only choice for me.

Where are you ordering that from??

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From Provantage. They are over forty bucks cheaper than OWC.

It's far from cheap but what the heck, you only live once.

I've also decided to throw Windows XP into my computer and run X-Plane via Bootcamp.
The GTX 285 may run better in Windows than with OS X.
And X-Plane under Windows has some very nice Garmin GNS 430/530 and G1000 software that is only available for Windows.

By the way, no surprise but 1st gen Mac Pros are running the new 4870 Mac card thanks to 10.5.7.
Does the 4870 have the ports that you need?
.

Hmmm... not really. I could live with 2 DVIs... but it looks like Apple is phasing them out. I pretty much require a high end, color correct monitor... so Apple is usually the way I would lean. Thus, I need the new connector and there will be no adapter since the technology doesn't work that way.

Yep, I'm pretty much in the same boat.
I've got a 21" Sony CRT monitor. Wonderful monitor in it's day.
It's starting to have problems so I've got to look for a new high end, color correct LCD monitor.
MacWorld likes LaCie so I am leaning in that direction.

I don't suppose you'd like to lend me a grand or two?
.

From Provantage. They are over forty bucks cheaper than OWC

Uh... holy crud.. it says that card is $436.00!

Did you get your order in before it said Backordered?

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It's been known all along that the GTX 285 would not be available until June.
My shipping date is June 3rd which isn't too bad.

"Uh... holy crud.. it says that card is $436.00!"

Oh yeah. Video cards for Macs have always been high.
The HD 4870 512MB card at the Apple Store costs $349.00.
You can get the same video card for PCs at Newegg for $160.00.
Did you know that most video cards for Macs are underclocked?
Underclocked and overpriced!

Everything is relative, if you are German, you will spend 719 USD for the GTX 285.

Every couple years I buy a new Mac tower.
I always get the most powerful video card.
And that video card is always light years behind the PC video cards.
For example, I bought my Mac Pro with a 8800 GT in January 2008.
The PC people already had the 8800 GTX and 8800 Ultra. 2 months later they had the 9800 GX2.
To make things worse, the Mac 8800 GT driver is so shabby, the HD 3870 was/is making a mockery of it.

For the first time with the GTX 285 I will have a video card that even a PC person would be proud of.
.

For the first time with the GTX 285 I will have a video card that even a PC person would be proud of.


Yeah, it's true.. you get what you pay for...

Except when you a buy card from Apple.....lol

It does sound impressive. Eagerly awaiting your report.

What do you think of the news today?