2D/DAC Image Quality

[Hopkins]

I noticed in the 5700 review that, in an upcoming article, "We [will] attempt to be as thorough as possible and delve into as many aspects of image quality as we can." I was wondering if this will include a look at the "2D" image quality output by different cards' DACs or just the quality of filtering/aliasing/mapping algorithms.

I would happily pay more for a card that had a decent DAC, and since CRT monitors are so cheap now and many people are buying large CRTs for use at high resolutions, crappy analogue stages in video cards are becoming very apparent. I nearly went out an bought an old Matrox card because my crappy Asus video card was so poor! I find that I spend at least as much time surfing the net and doing "proper work" on my PC as playing games so I want a stable image with crisp edges at high refresh rates!

Also, since this is my first post, I'd just like to thank Anandtech for all the useful reviews I've made use of!

 

[PCHPlayer]

I completely agree that 2D IQ is just as important as 3D IQ. Unfortunately reviews are more concerned with how cool a scene gets rendered than how crisp the text looks in MS Word.

 

[Hopkins]

Also, video card manufacturers may not consider it money well spent to improve DAC quality, since hardly any users are going to know what they're talking about, let alone care. I think that unless Matrox surprise everyone next time then gamers will have to suffer crap DAC quality for ever

 

[Hopkins]

 

[Hopkins]

Huh, I just pressed return and it posted a blank message

Well, I didn't have anything to add really, I just wanted to moan by saying that the fact that only one person replied backs up my point that no-one gives a toss! Hurrah, to you, PCHPlayer, you are truly my bother's keeper and the finder of lost children .

 

[Mem]

I just wanted to moan by saying that the fact that only one person replied backs up my point that no-one gives a toss! Hurrah

2D image quality has improved a lot even on Nvidia cards,ATI has always had very good image quality in general and we all know Matrox is king in the 2D department.

There are many factors that determine image quality from design right down to quality of all components and even drivers to a degree,most people here do care about IQ quality , trust me .