Dual head PCI-E card?

[carlwu]

I am planning a new system but it seems most mobo's now have PCI-E.

I need to replace my Matrox G550 AGP but what are my options in the PCI-E arena? Do they even have single PCI-E cards with dual head options? I do not want to have to buy two cards and just need horizontal spanning.

Thanks,
CW

 

[MDE]

Just about every PCIe card I've seen that isn't an X300 has been dual head.

 

[imported_Hi]

whats your price range

 

[carlwu]

I'm looking at $200 max. I value 2D way over 3D (which is more just a plus). I read that Matrox has the P-650 in PCIe format soon. Are the ATI and nVidia chipset cards as good in 2D quality?

 

[imported_Hi]

Anything nowadays is good in 2D quality

 

[gobucks]

matrox cards are really pretty terrible nowadays. WAY overpriced for the features. As for a good sub-$200 card, the 6600GT is a good bet at $180. In fact, the XFX and BFG models (I have the XFX) have dual DVI, which is nice if you plan to use 2 LCDs. As for 2D quality, all current cards have pretty much gotten to the point that they can handle 2D with no problem. After all, the very worst cards (like an X300SE) have 128MB memory, 4 pixel pipes, and clockspeeds that can rip through any 2D work you might throw at them. In terms of 3D, the 6600GT is roughly equivalent to last generation's fastest cards, the 9800XT and 5950 Ultra, and is often faster in newer games. Not too shabby for $180, in my opinion.