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EDIT: Upgrading my Matrox G450

Z

Zucarita9000

Golden Member
So, I'm strongly considering on purchasing an LCD monitor to replace my 5 year old 17" ViewSonic CRT. I was almost decided on the Samsung 710N, but someone told me that I should consider DVI for LCDs, as the image would be sharper and cleaner.

Since I don't have a DVI capable graphics card, I came across the Matrox Millenniun P650 with dual dvi. I currently have a Millennium G450 and I'm very happy with it. The only thing that I would complain about is that Windows XP's graphic interface is not "as fast" as it is with a modern graphics card (for example, a Radeon 9800 Pro, wich I have in another system).

I saw that Newegg has it for about U$155+shipping ($5 more) and ZipZoomFly has it for $154 with free shipping.

Edit: Neither of these sites is able to ship to P.O Boxes, so I cannot use them.
I think that Directron.com does ship to P.O. Boxes, but... is it reliable?

So, my questions would be:
1. Would this be a good upgrade? I really respect Matrox products, and since I don't play games I don't need a powerfull 3D monster. Just fast 2D, sharp text and good color reproduction.

TIA
 
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
 
I think there's a 9600 with dual DVI (made by HIS), but it's about as expensive as the Matrox, so you may as well go with Matrox.
 
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
Click to expand...

You're mistaken. Matrox has the best 2D, bar none. And that 9600, while better than the parahelia for gaming, is not an incredible improvement, and is already long in the teeth.

Go with the parahelia if 2D is your thing.
 
my friend has a 9600pro, and the 2D is as crisp and clear as i've seen. How much better can you get?

To the OP: i didn't realize you needed dual dvi; since you do, go with the matrox.
 
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
my friend has a 9600pro, and the 2D is as crisp and clear as i've seen. How much better can you get?

To the OP: i didn't realize you needed dual dvi; since you do, go with the matrox.
Click to expand...

It might be the best 2D you've seen, but that doesn't mean that there aren't better options out there. Matrox has pretty renowned 2D (widely considered the best in the industry). Plus Matrox's multi monitor support is legendary (they actually started the whole concept of a single card with dual monitors hooked up during the reign of the G400). And AFAIK, they're still the only company to ship a card that has triple head output.
 
I don't "need" dual DVI now, but in the future (maybe by the end of the year) I will get a second LCD monitor, and for that I'll nedd a dual dvi graphics card.

As for the Parhelia, its still a bit too expensive for me. $150 is what I can afford. The rest of my "computer money" will be spent in the monitor.

And yes, I looked at the 9600 and it looks good. But as sparkyclarky said, nothing can beat Matrox's 2D performance. I work as a web designer, so 3D is not my thing. I need fast and sharp 2D.

The P650 is considered as an entry-level professional card, whereareas the 9600 is an entry-level gaming card.
 
Doh, wrong thread sorry!

Most modern cards can handle excellent DVI 2D quality on a 17" LCD btw...look for a good deal on most any dual DVI card should be fine..not easy to find cheap however.
 
If I go for the P650, I'll be buying it before the monitor. As I currently have a 17" CRT, I'll have to use the DVI-VGA adapters in order to get an analog signal. Will I notice any artifacts, or otherwise compromised image quality by using this adapters?
 
I'll have to use the DVI-VGA adapters in order to get an analog signal. Will I notice any artifacts, or otherwise compromised image quality by using this adapters?
Click to expand...

You shouldn't. The adaptors just simply connect the analog pins from the DVI-I connector. I've used them for years on my AIW cards and they work fine.
 
That's great. Since the graphics card I'll be getting is OEM, it only comes with to DVI-VGA adapters, no cables. Do Samsung monitors come with DVI cables? I can't seem to find any info on this.
 
Where should I order this card? From Newegg or ZipZoomFly?
I'm asking this 'cause I'll be using a P.O BOX (I'll pay with my credit card and ship it to my cousin's P.O. BOX in Miami, as she goes there every other week) and some etailers do not let you do this.
 
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
Click to expand...


whatever noobcake, Matrox is the hands down winnar at 2D, Ati doesnt even come close
 
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
Click to expand...


whatever noobcake, Matrox is the hands down winnar at 2D, Ati doesnt even come close
Click to expand...

In the real world, almost ANY recent gen card puts out excellent 2D IQ using DVI on a 17" digital flat panel in its native resolution. Of course Matrox is a good safe bet, but seriously at 1280x1024 I doubt you could tell the difference between any of them.
 
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
Click to expand...


whatever noobcake, Matrox is the hands down winnar at 2D, Ati doesnt even come close
Click to expand...

All i was trying to say is that you'd probably have to look pretty hard to find a difference between the 2D of a 9600 and matrox.

If the 9600 has no blurryness and perfectly straight lines, how much better can you get??

If your going to be running at huge res's with multiple monitors, i can see getting a matrox, but for most people, the 2d on any new graphics card will be more than good enough.
 
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You could get a 9600 for ~$90 and have 2D quality thats just as good as the matrox's is, but costs a lot less. Plus you'd be able to play games if you ever wanted to.
Click to expand...


whatever noobcake, Matrox is the hands down winnar at 2D, Ati doesnt even come close
Click to expand...

All i was trying to say is that you'd probably have to look pretty hard to find a difference between the 2D of a 9600 and matrox.

If the 9600 has no blurryness and perfectly straight lines, how much better can you get??

If your going to be running at huge res's with multiple monitors, i can see getting a matrox, but for most people, the 2d on any new graphics card will be more than good enough.
Click to expand...


noobcake? damn that brings me back...

anyway, just get the p650 from zzf, i heard newegg quality of service is going downhill. if you want dual dvi, you need ot go matrox. they have some of the best dual display software ive ever seen(mmm...surround gaming)
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph
anyway, just get the p650 from zzf, i heard newegg quality of service is going downhill.
Click to expand...

It seems neither Newegg or ZZF ships to P.O Boxes, so I cannot use them. Directron.com seem to be the only one that is able to ship to P.O Boxes, but... is it reliable?
 
Bump.

I've found two other sites that will ship to my P.O. Box:

Computers4sure.com and PCConnection.com

The latter is $7 cheaper.
Has anyone use either one before?

 
We ordered our mac off of pcconnection.com, and my dad gets most of the computer supplies for his work through them. They aren't great, but they work.
 
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