Which Video Card To Get?

Heihachi · 01-14-2003, 01:08 AM

Hey Yall...

Friend is interested in a dual monitor setup. (dual CRT 15-pin) He's a student at Art Center and he wants that extra desktop space. He's not into gaming at all. I was wondering what would be good for him to get that extra desktop space that won't bottleneck his system too much.

He's running a KT333 mobo.. (MSI ULTRA-ARU) and he's going to get a T-bred most likely.

Any suggestions?

He doesn't want to spend too much ESPECIALLY since he's not a gamer. Any good bang/buck ration video cards?

Thanks

Grimm · 01-14-2003, 06:27 PM

ATI Radeon 32 MB Dual head, costs 50 to 60 bucks.
or
ATI Radeon 128MB 9000 Dual head for 100 bucks or so.

bachviet · 01-14-2003, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grimm
ATI Radeon 32 MB Dual head, costs 50 to 60 bucks.
or
ATI Radeon 128MB 9000 Dual head for 100 bucks or so.

128MB ATI Radeon 8500LE for around $100

ski · 01-15-2003, 08:38 AM

I definitely recommend an ATI card now that I own my first one... dual monitors have never looked better

iDave · 01-15-2003, 01:53 PM

You can get a MATROX G450 dual head for about $85, probably less if you look around. I’ve been using one for about a year and I am quite happy with it. It works well for me because I play very few games and care much more about good 2D performance. When I was looking for cards I seem to remember that some of the other dual head cards suffered in 2D performance while offering somewhat better 3D performance.

For a little more, about $95, the MATROX G550 (successor to the G450) might be worth while.

Heihachi · 01-16-2003, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bachviet

128MB ATI Radeon 8500LE for around $100

Is that better than the 9000?

Heihachi · 01-16-2003, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iDave
For a little more, about $95, the MATROX G550 (successor to the G450) might be worth while.

How are the drivers for MATROX?
Can anyone second this opinion on how well the 2d performance goes?

iDave · 01-16-2003, 12:15 PM

Matrox seems to be the current king of the hill for 2D performance and multi-desktop management software. There are several dual-head solutions out that are decent for gaming also. I would prefer one of these for getting the best of both worlds (2D and 3D) but all the reviews that I have read so far, when they mention 2D performance at all, have not reflected well on the 2D performance of these cards and the multi-desktop management software is never on par with Matrox. The G550 is not much of a gaming card but is probably the best budget choice out there for strong 2D dual-head performance.

Here are a few quick review summaries and links to help.

Summery from the PC Mag review:
"Because the G550 is not designed to compete with 3-D gaming cards, we did not subject it to our full suite of benchmark tests. We did, however, test its 2-D performance with Business Winstone 2001, and its top score became the gold standard by which we judged all others in that category."

From Tom's Hardware:
"The really good news is that the retail version of the G550 will be available from Matrox's online store for $125 ESP in August. That's a heck of good price for a product that should have the best 2D performance, and deliver high-quality dual screen support. If you are going to deliver dual-screen support then, it has to be good, and Matrox does have the edge over its competitors in that department. Again, at $125, a dual-screen user is going to find this a value product."

Excerpt from a recent Gotapex reviewof the Matrox Parhelia video card:
Excellent 2D Display Quality
"Matrox has been a leader in this area for a long, long time and that tradition has carried itself to new heights with Parhelia. The addition of GigaColor and Glyph Antialiasing only add to the Parhelia's preparedness to carry the professional user forward. If there is a feature or capability missing here I cannot figure out what it might be."
Actually, the Parhelia would be a great way to go if the cost were not so high.

PC World review

Heihachi · 01-17-2003, 03:53 AM

Now the G550... does the 3d gaming at least do as well as a Geforce 2 GTS card?

Thanks

iDave · 01-17-2003, 09:03 AM

I doubt it, but have not seen any direct comparisons.

There is an interesting review in Tom’s Hardware comparing the G450 with some of the competition. The review is rather old though.
HERE

Heihachi · 01-18-2003, 05:33 PM

Hm.... OUTSTANDING 2D peformance. That does sound very appealing. I wish they'd make a MATROX card affordable and w/ some deccent 3d specs. (at least geforce 2 gts)

01-14-2003, 01:08 AM	#1
Heihachi Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: La Crescenta, CA, USA Posts: 676	Which Video Card To Get? Hey Yall... Friend is interested in a dual monitor setup. (dual CRT 15-pin) He's a student at Art Center and he wants that extra desktop space. He's not into gaming at all. I was wondering what would be good for him to get that extra desktop space that won't bottleneck his system too much. He's running a KT333 mobo.. (MSI ULTRA-ARU) and he's going to get a T-bred most likely. Any suggestions? He doesn't want to spend too much ESPECIALLY since he's not a gamer. Any good bang/buck ration video cards? Thanks

01-15-2003, 01:53 PM	#5
iDave Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2001 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 52	Try Matrox You can get a MATROX G450 dual head for about $85, probably less if you look around. I’ve been using one for about a year and I am quite happy with it. It works well for me because I play very few games and care much more about good 2D performance. When I was looking for cards I seem to remember that some of the other dual head cards suffered in 2D performance while offering somewhat better 3D performance. For a little more, about $95, the MATROX G550 (successor to the G450) might be worth while.

01-16-2003, 12:15 PM	#8
iDave Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2001 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 52	More on the G550 Matrox seems to be the current king of the hill for 2D performance and multi-desktop management software. There are several dual-head solutions out that are decent for gaming also. I would prefer one of these for getting the best of both worlds (2D and 3D) but all the reviews that I have read so far, when they mention 2D performance at all, have not reflected well on the 2D performance of these cards and the multi-desktop management software is never on par with Matrox. The G550 is not much of a gaming card but is probably the best budget choice out there for strong 2D dual-head performance. Here are a few quick review summaries and links to help. Summery from the PC Mag review: "Because the G550 is not designed to compete with 3-D gaming cards, we did not subject it to our full suite of benchmark tests. We did, however, test its 2-D performance with Business Winstone 2001, and its top score became the gold standard by which we judged all others in that category." From Tom's Hardware: "The really good news is that the retail version of the G550 will be available from Matrox's online store for $125 ESP in August. That's a heck of good price for a product that should have the best 2D performance, and deliver high-quality dual screen support. If you are going to deliver dual-screen support then, it has to be good, and Matrox does have the edge over its competitors in that department. Again, at $125, a dual-screen user is going to find this a value product." Excerpt from a recent Gotapex reviewof the Matrox Parhelia video card: Excellent 2D Display Quality "Matrox has been a leader in this area for a long, long time and that tradition has carried itself to new heights with Parhelia. The addition of GigaColor and Glyph Antialiasing only add to the Parhelia's preparedness to carry the professional user forward. If there is a feature or capability missing here I cannot figure out what it might be." Actually, the Parhelia would be a great way to go if the cost were not so high. PC World review

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01-14-2003, 06:27 PM	#2
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	ATI Radeon 32 MB Dual head, costs 50 to 60 bucks. or ATI Radeon 128MB 9000 Dual head for 100 bucks or so.

01-15-2003, 08:38 AM	#4
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	I definitely recommend an ATI card now that I own my first one... dual monitors have never looked better

01-17-2003, 03:53 AM	#9
Heihachi Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: La Crescenta, CA, USA Posts: 676	Now the G550... does the 3d gaming at least do as well as a Geforce 2 GTS card? Thanks

01-17-2003, 09:03 AM	#10
iDave Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2001 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 52	I doubt it, but have not seen any direct comparisons. There is an interesting review in Tom’s Hardware comparing the G450 with some of the competition. The review is rather old though. HERE

01-18-2003, 05:33 PM	#11
Heihachi Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: La Crescenta, CA, USA Posts: 676	Hm.... OUTSTANDING 2D peformance. That does sound very appealing. I wish they'd make a MATROX card affordable and w/ some deccent 3d specs. (at least geforce 2 gts)

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