Logic Pro 9 Better Video Card 512 or 1 gig for logic

[scottmach]

Hello
I am a former pro tools on PC user who is switching to logic and mac for the first time. I know that on an audio PC it was always recomeneded to have a smaller video card since audio apps like logic and PT dont require a great video card. A Larger card (1 gig or above) actually hurts system performace of Daws on windows because they require more system memory leaving less for the audio app to use. So on windows xp if you had 4 gigs of ram and a 512mb video card , more of the 4 gigs would be avaiable for use by your Daw and VI's than if you had a 1 gig video card. I know with 64 bit this is less of an issue but i am still curious. So basiaclly on OSx if i have a 1 gig video card will that eat away more of my system memory than a 512mb video card. This is how it works on windows but im hoping that OSx handles it differently. I am looking at getting the new i7 imac which only has the option for a 1 gig video card. I wont be playing anygames or any video editing so i really dont need that much. Hoping that video card size does not effect avaiable ram on osX the way it does on XP.

Thanks

 

[Orren Merton]

Hi Scott,

In general, your video card RAM will not improve performance with Logic (or the vast majority of non-video/gaming apps) in any way. So if you want to save money and get the 512MB video card, go right ahead. I'm not in the computer buying position right now, but if I were, I'd get the 512MB option.

HTH,
Orren

 

[scottmach]

Thanks for the reply.

I know that there is no benfit to getting a 1 gig card over the 512. My question is is there actually a drawback to getting the 1 gig card because of it taking away system memory that could be used by logic or pluggins. The problem is that the new i7 imac that just came out does not have an option for a 512, only the 1 gig is availble. So if i want that machine i have no choice but to get a 1 gig card. So i am wondering if i have a 1 gig video card would there be less ram avaiable for logic to use than if i had a 512 mb card. THis is how it works in windows but im hoping that OSx is different. If i had a choice i would get the 512 but as i wrote ealier, it is not an option on thwe new Imac.

 

[Orren Merton]

Hi Scott,

Nope, the cards have dedicated memory. They don't share system memory. So you'll not see any loss from getting the 1GB video card. You just won't see a gain w/Logic, either.

Take care,
Orren