Whats a good graphics card for early 08 macpro and fcpx

I have a gt8800 512mg ram. works fine but was wondering if something new would speed up my timeline a bit... sometimes it can get laggy when theres large pictures being animated. would a better card make it run smoother or maybe a raid of some sort.

Either the ATI Radieon HD 5770 or 5780.
I have the same Mac Pro with 16GB RAM and a Radeon HD 4870 with very few issues at all. But I do tons of very heavy Motion work and need more power. I'm looking at the 5780 if I can afford it. Seen mixed reviews about if the 5770 is actually and more powerful than my 4870.

If anyone knows of an NLE comparison between the 4870 and 5770, I'd be very interested.

Randy,
I have a MP1.1. Installed a XFX 6870 1GB GPU. It is a PC card, but runs oob in Lion. Biggest issue is if you do not change the card ID (easy hack) it will not show the spinning wheel & grey screen while loading boot. 1st screen is log in screen.
The 6870 is roughly equivalent to the 5870, not a improvement. Both of the 5xxx cards are good cards.
Why go with a PC 6870? $$$
About 1/2 the cost of a 5870.
Additional ports out (depends on model)
Purchase, install, boot, good to go.
Insanely Mac and Netkas have topics on using a PC card in "Real" Macs and Hackintoshes. Instructions for changing card identifier if you so choose.
BareFeats has card comparisons... www.barefeats.com/
If you use a lot of Adobe programs, AE/PS you might want to consider a nVidia card, better acceleration.
Have fun!

BareFeats has run several tests between all cards mentioned so far and some others under various programs. Best to use search function or index.
here are a couple of links that include GPUs
www.barefeats.com/wst10g6.html
mostly testing 5870 in games and color
barefeats.com/wst10g4.html
5770/5870 comparison w others.
Says 5870 up to 100% faster than 5770
4870>5770 not such a great upgrade.
DigLloyd has some testing as well.

Thanks for the info! Now to find me $500 I can blow on a new GPU...

6870 = $130-$200
Just saying!

do you think those cards will be much better than the 8800gt 512mb nvidea card?

the 5870 or the 6870 truly smokes the 8800
In fact the 8800 comes in last for most testing of the cards listed.

VidGreg wrote: the 5870 or the 6870 truly smokes the 8800
In fact the 8800 comes in last for most testing of the cards listed.

I would suggest also.

Have a warning about AirPlay. Read the fine print. It only works with mid-2011 Macs and later, and not on any Mac Pros.

Here's article about AirPlay why only certain Macs work and possible 3rd party option...
www.cultofmac.com/178460/the-real-reason...untain-lion-feature/