ATI has shifted its mid-range retail (aftermarket) Mac graphics card strategy as of today. They are discontinuing the two existing mid-range cards:
The Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Special Edition (8X AGP, 256MB, ADC + DVI ports) MSRP $299
The Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition (2X/4X AGP, 128MB, DVI + VGA ports) MSRP $249

The two NEW mid-range selections will be:
The Radeon 9800 Pro Mac (2X/4X AGP, 256MB, DVI + VGA port) MSRP $299
The Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition (4X AGP, 256MB, DVI + Dual-Link DVI) MSRP $199

We had a chance to test the Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition this week. Without further ado, here's what we learned..

LEGEND
GeFX 5200 = GeForceFX 5200 (8X, 256MB, 128 bit, converted PC card)
Rad9600 XT = Radeon 9600 XT (8X, 128MB, Apple OEM)
Rad9600 Pro = Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition (4X, 256MB, ATI Retail)
Rad9800 4X = Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition (2X/4X, 128MB, discontinued)
Rad9800 8X = Radoen 9800 Pro Mac Special Edition (8X, 256MB, discontinued)
GeF6800 GT = GeForce 6800 GT (8X, 256MB, Apple OEM)
GeF6800 UT = GeForce 6800 Ultra (8X, 256MB, Apple OEM discontinued)
RadX800 XT = Radeon X800 XT (8X, 256MB, ATI Retail)
RadX850 XT = Radeon X850 XT (8X, 256MB, Apple OEM)
Fastest result is in RED, NEW Radeon 9600 Pro is in WHITE.

ATI's STRATEGIES
According to ATI, they are aiming the 9600 Pro PC and Mac card at content producers who use video memory hungry apps like Apple's Motion 2 but don't require strong 3D performance. Since the new 9600 Pro comes with one Dual-Link DVI port, buyers can drive a 30' Cinema Display without being required to buy ATI's top-end retail card, Radeon X800 XT. Moreover, G4 Power Mac users with 4X AGP slots can now choose a fully supported 256MB graphics card.

ANALYSIS AND COMMENTS
As you can see from the Motion 2 graph, the gap between the mid-range cards (9600 Pro and 9800 Pro) and high-end cards (X800 XT, GeForce 6800 GT) isn't necessarily that large. That would seem to reinforce ATI's strategy. But if our Core Image test (iMaginator) is indicative, those users may feel the Radeon 9600 doesn't have enough 'horsepower.' The Radeon 9800 Pro or X800 XT may be more to their liking.

If you run any 3D accelerated apps at highest settings, the gap between mid-range and high-end cards much more pronounced. 'Extreme 3D' users will crave a Radeon X800 XT or GeForce 6800 GT over the mid-range cards, assuming they can handle the price. (The test graphs were produced on our G5/2.5GHz Power Mac with 8GB of memory.)

In case you missed this point: The 9800 Pro no longer comes with 8X AGP rating. Though the replacement 9800 Pro is rated at 4X AGP, it will still work in the G5's 8X slot. However, even though the older Radeon 9800 Pro 2X/4X yielded results slightly slower than the Radeon 9800 Pro Special Edition 8X (see the graphs above), that could be as much to with the memory difference (128MB vs 256MB) as the AGP rating. In the past, we have proven that an 8X card is no faster than a 4X card when all other specs are equal. I doubt the AGP bus is being saturated beyond the capability of a 4X rating -- so ATI's decision to go with 4X doesn't really penalize the G5 user.

Here’s how to enable a keyboard shortcut for changing the input language in Windows 10. The same problem happens if you are in a situation to use both Windows 10 and macOS computers. Here is a list of Windows equivalent Mac keyboard shortcuts that will help you. How to change the keyboard language on a Mac. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then select 'System Preferences.' Click 'Keyboard.' On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Input Sources. Click the Add button, search for a language (such as French) or an input source (such as Handwriting), then select one or more.

If you feel otherwise, the 8X 'Mac Special Edition' will probably be continue to be sold while supplies last. And there's always the 8X X800 XT.

Owners of Macs with 2X AGP slots (like the 'Sawtooth' Power Mac and Cube) are 'orphaned' by these latest changes. Since none of the current ATI offerings are compatible, their only upgrade option is either to find a used Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition 2X/4X AGP on eBay or to flash a 4X Windows PC card with the Mac ROM, taping over leads 3 and 11 to enable it to run in 2X slots.

Speaking of '2X' Macs, you might take a look at our article where the Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition (2X/4X, 128MB) card is compared to lesser 2X cards on a Dual G4/1.4GHz Power Mac and a Dual G4/1.4GHz Cube.

For those with ADC displays, purchasing either of the new cards requires them to also purchase a $99 DVI to ADC converter. Yet, with the demise of the ADC display, there's little reason for ATI to perpetuate the ADC connector.

Note to those with Radeon X850 XT: ATI will be posting new drivers for the 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition that includes an updated ATI Displays utility (Version 4.5.3) compatible with the Radeon X850 XT, allowing those owners to access Versavision and 3D Advanced Features (Anti-Aliasing, Anisotropic Shading, etc.).

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WHERE TO BUY REFURBISHED or CLOSEOUT MACS (12 month warranty)
For refurbished, reconditioned, open box (as well as new) iMacs, check with Small Dog and Power Max. Also look for the 'SPECIAL DEALS' link on Apple's online store.