Architosh Staff (info@architosh.com)

29 Sep 2003

 

Apple talking to 3DLabs for ultra-highend graphics cards for Power Mac G5

There is little question now that Apple's new Power Mac G5 workstations (which Apple refers to as desktops) are now perfectly qualified--if not down right ideal--to adopt as the tool of choice for DCC (digital content creation) professionals, over competing PC boxes and SGI and Sun workstations. With industry leading 64-bit processors at 32-bit processor price points and bandwidth on the motherboard that surpasses even SGI, Apple's machines only lack one critical component that has eluded the platform: industry-leading workstation graphics cards.

The Wild Kitty: 3DLabs

Now according to one source Apple Computer is in discussions with 3DLabs regarding the development of Mac compatible versions of its acclaimed highend Wildcat graphics cards. According to an email message posted on the Mac enthusiast site www.xlr8yourmac.com that stated thus:

"At this time we are having discussions with Apple to see how our two products will fit together. Do you have a preference for which 3DLabs product family you would like to see support the Apple G5?" -- Stephen D. Cox, 3DLabs Inc.

The addition of 3DLabs' Wildcat graphics cards to the Mac platform would put Apple's new Power Mac G5 line on equal footing in competing with highend PC's for DCC professionals' choice of a workstation.

Architosh Survey on Pro 3D Mac Hardware Request Survey

In a 2001 survey of hundreds of Macintosh and PC-based 3D professionals on Architosh a specific question asked what factor was the current biggest deterrent in deploying Macintosh in highend 3D: 34 percent of respondents said the lack of specific highend graphics cards was the largest deterrent. Only 17 percent said the MegaHertz Myth was the major deterrent and only 17 percent sited the actual performance of the G4.

Clearly highend 3D professionals--since the emergence of the Power Mac G4-have been clamoring to do their 3D work on the "creative person's" platform but the lack of either specific key software or highend graphics cards has thus far been holding them back. With the new Power Mac G5 line this last deterrent may finally be put to rest with the cooperative help of the good folks at 3DLabs.

According to that Architosh survey nearly 50 percent of the vote was for the 3DLabs Wildcat 5110 card (likely outdated now) which at that time had an estimated retail price of $1500US. In essence Mac users want access to the absolute best money can buy, which should come at no surprise.

New 3DLabs Cards Apple Users May Want

Today 3DLabs has a large range of highend graphics cards for DCC and CAD professionals to choose from. An ad-like graphic on their home page notes IBM's choice to use the Wildcat4 graphics card on an IntelliStation ZPro Workstation. Mac users interested in obtaining a 3DLabs card or series of cards for their Power Macs should send communications directly to 3DLabs stating what card they would buy if available. It clearly appears from the email quoted above that 3DLabs is directly interested in getting feedback.

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