To buy a CG or not ? GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 MB

[vinkob]

Hello,

I'm trying to install Lion 10.7.1 on my new computer.
The MB is a GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 with an Intel HD 2000/3000
chipset.

I read several topics with totally different advices !

According someone, this chipset is good. But other guys
say that a GC must be added.

Can you say me what I should do ? Have you prefered
(and cheap) CG for me ?

Thank you

 

[Afflatus]

Hello,

I'm trying to install Lion 10.7.1 on my new computer.
The MB is a GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 with an Intel HD 2000/3000
chipset.

I read several topics with totally different advices !

According someone, this chipset is good. But other guys
say that a GC must be added.

Can you say me what I should do ? Have you prefered
(and cheap) CG for me ?

Thank you

First of all, how much are you wanting to spend total for your whole system?

I use the same motherboard, but my motivation was to be able to match Mac pro configuration.

If I didn't care about the performance much, I would have gotten myself a Mac mini.

My point is, if you have a budget of about $600 and plan to use the built in video, I would just buy a Mac mini.

If you plan to hit about $800 and up, do yourself a favor and get a graphics card.

Check the recommendations Tony has put together and find the graphics card that fits your price. At first I bought a Gigabyte 5670, it was cheap, and OK if you want to use one monitor. If you plan to have dual monitors, it is hell. I ended up spending almost double the price for a 5770.

 

[vinkob]

Hello Afflatus,

Thank you for your answer. First of all too, I bought all the components
yet (SSD 60 Go, 1To HD, SUGO box and LG BH10LS30 Blueray
burner).

I'll have a look on the Gigabyte 5670 CG which seems to fit in my
budget.

I had also a view on ATI Radeon HD 6570.

My purpose is to use my dual screens, watching BR and play stupid
games from BigFishGames. But no highres games.

So, what would be a good choice ? I'll use Lion 10.7.1 at least.

 

[Afflatus]

Hello Afflatus,

Thank you for your answer. First of all too, I bought all the components
yet (SSD 60 Go, 1To HD, SUGO box and LG BH10LS30 Blueray
burner).

I'll have a look on the Gigabyte 5670 CG which seems to fit in my
budget.

I had also a view on ATI Radeon HD 6570.

My purpose is to use my dual screens, watching BR and play stupid
games from BigFishGames. But no highres games.

So, what would be a good choice ? I'll use Lion 10.7.1 at least.

I have no experience with the 6570. But stay away from the 5670. It caused me so much problems with Dual Monitors. With the 5770, I am able to use three!

I am not an expert, but from my experience, Cards that have only DVI/HDMI/D-SUB connections very good for dual screen.

I would buy a card with no D-SUB/VGA connectors, just DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort

 

[vinkob]

Hello Afflatus,

I bought this morning a Sapphire 5770 CG. It grows the
final price of $100 but I hope it's worth to be.
Thank you for the advice.

 

[vinkob]

You know there is no native blu-ray app in OSX right?

Yes, but some appli like Mac Blu Ray Player should be
efficient. Also, I'll add a dual Windows 7 boot... So, BR
sounds to work fine.

 

[vinkob]

The BR burner is fully working using Toast / Mac Blu-ray Player ! Apple sucks to refuse BR integration !