Graphic Card upgrade

Discussion in 'Installation and Configuration of Parallels Desktop' started by KrP, Mar 6, 2013.

  1. KrP

    KrP Member

    Messages:
    34
    I have come to the realization that I need to improve my graphics card. Currently I have a NVidia GeForce 7300Gt and am told, by a software vendor, I need to have at least a NVidia GeForce 9800 GTX or similar ATI/AMD, with at least 1GB memory.

    My question are:

    Will Parallels see and use this extra power?

    If Parallels can take advantage of the extra performance, how far can I upgrade the graphics card? Say a NVidia 460GTX / ATI 5850 or NVIDIA Quadro K5000? or somewhere between?

    I don't seem to have any problems o the Mac side. It's the Windows graphics programs that are the cause for this need to upgrade.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2013
  2. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,242
    The added power and the added graphic memory will be used by Parallels, but don't forget Windows doesn't 'talk' to the card directly, it always sees a Parallels Graphic Adapter (or similar worded), so it doesn't matter the exact model as long it's supported by the mac side.

    So:

    Q: Will Parallels see and use this extra power?
    A: Yes

    Q: If Parallels can take advantage of the extra performance, how far can I upgrade the graphics card? Say a NVidia 460GTX / ATI 5850 or NVIDIA Quadro K5000? or somewhere between?
    A: Question does not apply
     
  3. KrP

    KrP Member

    Messages:
    34
    Thanks for the quick reply.

    Does Parallels limit the memory found on the card? The NVIDIA Quadro K5000 boasts 4 gb of memory, but at a cost of $2700. If ALL that memory is not used then a lessor card may be just as good?
     
  4. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,242
    You can only assign a maximum of 1 GB Video RAM per Virtual Machine.
     
  5. KrP

    KrP Member

    Messages:
    34
    Thanks,

    So a $300 NVidia 460GTX it is.
     
  6. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,242
    Btw, if the software requires DirectX 11, Parallels doesn't currently support that even if the card does.
     

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