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Photoshop a tad slow? UT2004 unrealistically slow? And, your bank balance has seen better days? Perhaps you should consider the ATI Radeon 9000 Pro.

This AGP upgrade card is one of only three available to Mac users and one of two compatible with older 2X / 4X AGP-equipped models. There is an active after market (ebay), but for factory-fresh cards ATI's 9800, 9800 SE and 9000 are the choices we have.

Of course, for the AGP-challenged, RADEON 7000 and 9200 PCI cards are available as well.

Specs, installation

Here are my specs:

• 2001 QuickSilver 733MHz + NVIDIA GeForce2 (32MB);
• Upgraded w/ GigaDesigns 1.25GHz G4 w/ 2MB L3 (clocked to 1.33GHz);
• 1,024MB of RAM, (3) 80GB drives (7200rpm);
• Running X.3.4;
• 15-inch Apple LCD.

Installation? Shut down, disconnect the power, open the case, remove your old card, then insert the new card (checking to see that it's properly seated) and reboot. The only tool you'll need is a Phillips' head screwdriver.

You've got a Mac, relax... (it just works).

Cinebench '03 — Run three times and averaged.

• OpenGL Speedup
— was [2.52], is [3.28], +23.2 percent
• Shading (CINEMA 4D)
— was [144], is [144], +0
• Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting)
— was [361], is [382], +5.5
• Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting)
— was [188], is [ 470], +250

Naturally, the 9000 adds considerably to overall OpenGL performance, as well as shading -- both are ATI strengths.

Lastly, my box scored 128.05 on Xbench's OpenGL test, which puts it well ahead of other Quicksilver users (XLR8 Your Mac) with the same CPU upgrade and the original GeForce2 card.


Wrap up

The Cinebench and Xbench numbers, as well as real game play tell me the 9000 is doing its job. Also, VCD, DVD and iTunes visual plugin playback have all been significantly enhanced.

I'm quite pleased with my latest "toy."

If you are of modest needs and/or budget, upgrading is definitely the best path. With the addition of CPU and, now, AGP upgrades, my once quaint Quicksilver tower is good for at least two more years.

And, I'll happily take that difference to the bank... UT, anyone?

The ATI RADEON 9000 Pro is available from both Small Dog and OWC.