I am assembling a CTO Mac Pro order.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages in using the Quadro for 3D Open-GL gaming? The Quadro's description indicates it uses OGL v2.1.

I am doing some work with 3D design and animation and I expect the Quadro will shine here. But is the added expense justified if my 3D design aspirations dwindle and my OGL gaming assumes more importance?

I would like to think the Quadro might still be a better gamer card than the 8800. Especially considering that the 88 series is now quite dated with the new 9800GX2 blowing it away. And will Apple offer the new 9800 series for the Mac Pro? I am not going to hold my breath on that one.

But I am seriously considering the Quadro FX 5600.

The Quadro has VRAM of 1.5GB versus the 8800's VRAM of 512 MB.

nVidia does not give the clock speed for the Quadro but perhaps these other numbers are telling.

Memory Bandwidth: Quadro 76.8GB/s; 8800 57.6 GB/s
Texture Fill Rate: Quadro 38.4 Billion/s; 8800 33.6 Billion/s

It is notable that the Quadro's Memory Bandwidth is the same as that given for the new GeForce 9800GX2.

So, is there any reason that suggests the Quadro is unsuitable for gaming, ignoring the price differential of course?

It's not bad for gaming, its just really not worth the extra cost over the 8800

2008 Mac Pro - GeForce 8800 GT vs Radeon HD 2600 XT

If you check out some of the other reviews on the Barefeats site, they compare how the Quadro fares during work as well as play.
They also test the 9800 under bootcamp as well.

Naturally, the GeForce 9800 series does not figure in my CTO options... it's just wishful thinking that I look at this one.

Thanks people. The Barefeats comparo is very useful. I hadn't seen that one before. And it is clear that both the Quadro and the 8800 leave my current and hated Radeon X1900XT in the dust.

There are hints that the nVidia 8800GT will eventually be made available for early Mac Pros but I cannot wait... WHEN, Steve? WHEN? My point here is that my X1900XT is the third one in this Mac Pro and it is also near death probably from overheating, and its internal bugs.

BTW, there is a mistake in Barefeats' table where they claim that the Quadro FX 5600 uses GDDR2 VRAM. It uses GDDR3. Apple says it is GDDR3.

I believe my decision is now made. The Quadro is it. I choose this because of my 3D design work. Barefeats tells me that it is the best gamer card as well so there is no reason not to get it (over the 8800) except for the added cost.

Have you thought about possibly getting the 8800 for OS-X and using the money saved over the FX5600 to get a 9800GX2 for gaming under bootcamp?

The AppleStore does present a problem when CTOing one's new Mac...

You can CTO the Quadro card, or forever fuggeddaboudit. Apple doesn't sell an aftermarket Quadro upgrade kit.

And as any gaming I do is intended to be in the MacOSX environment, the Geforce 9800 will not be hugely beneficial. My main gaming will be with "Second Life" under Leopard where my present old Mac Pro and X1900XT does a pretty poor job with it and needs some graphics settings wound back. Most Maccers I know who are using "Second Life" are resigned to poorer performance and screwed down graphics settings. I might add that Second Life is a huge user of 3D textures and lighting and this is the area that the Quadro claims to excel. I don't know of anyone who is using a Quadro in SL, so I am going to be the first in my circle of SL friends and contacts. Maybe this is my most important reason for wanting this card. Someone has to do it. LOL.

On any given Intel Mac hardware running Second Life in MacOSX or Bootcamp, there seems to be no clear performance gain in either environment, especially since both the Windows and Mac versions use OpenGL. DirectX is not used.

As stated before, the Quadro will be handy for my graphics design work. My decision to buy the Quadro is because of that and also the Barefeats indication that gaming performance is very good. Of course the cost IS a consideration but not a very important one, ie. my CTO bill is going to be around A$13,600 without a monitor. I intend to wait before ordering. I won't order until Apple's optical drive options include Blu-Ray.

Probably the single biggest waste of $4000 I can think of, for what you describe as '3D design aspirations.' No offence, but you've obviously got money to burn (or melt, in this country at least.)

It seems I need to explain something. And I do object to Edge's impertinence when judging me on what numbers of dollars I should or should not spend on my Mac computing. As they say, "you can't take it with you". So as a self-funded retiree, financially comfortable, I will spend whatever I damned-well please on my Macs. Thanks but your comment was absolutely uncalled for.

I believe, earlier in the thread, that I had already mentioned the cost was not a consideration in planning my next Mac. I don't know why Edge failed to read that.

Anyway, based on Barefeats tests, I have ordered a Mac Pro with everything, including the Quadro FX 5600 graphics.

Thanks guys.

It's alright Peter - people blast me for spending all my money on gadgets and tech stuff. To hell with them! I'll spend my money on whatever I damn well please. It beats wasting it all on booze, drugs, gambling or whatnot :P

Personally I can't wait for you to get your system so then we can get some real world everyday benchmarks from you, including some gaming. Your the first person I know to have ordered that card. Have fun with it and enjoy.
I am sure some people have spent more optioning a leather interior in a car.

It is a gross waste of money. That is my opinion.

How you can suggest that describing you as 'having money to burn' is uncalled for is completely beyond me. Bit sensitive in your old age, eh?

The Quadro is clearly designed and priced for high-end professional applications, which based on your own description you have absolutely no need for.

$4000 is a huge amount of money to waste. Did you want a pat on the back?

I partly agree with Edge only that $4000 IS a lot of money to spend on a video card. Mind you, it is your money and not ours to spend , so only you can justify it. Having said that , I would kill for your rig and so would most others here. We look on in envy ( and downright green tinged jealousy ) and I look forward, as leon said, to seeing some real world benchmarks.I hope it is all it is cracked up to be.

Strewie

I wish apple would offer something in between the 8800GT and the FX 5600. I chose the 8800GT on a "bang for bucks" basis but if I had the money i would have gone for the FX 5600. I am yet to bench mark my new Mac Pro but it is extremely well built and as always a pleasure to set up and use. You wont regret buying a Mac Pro - you can always upgrade video cards etc

If money is no object, and you're not sure... Why not get the Quadro AND the 8800 GT?

I'll drink to that.