• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How bad is game play on a Matrox G400 ?

F

FOH

Senior member
I am building a new system and have almost decided on the Matrox G400. I do a lot of word processing, photo and poster work, but I also play a lot of games, although I am not into it seriously. How noticable is the lower gaming performance of the G400 for someone that is a casual player like me? Is it VERY noticeable or do you have to look close to see the difference? I have heard the G450 isn't much of a improvement, anyone heard if there is something better comming soon that I should wait for? THANKS for everyones time!!!!

 
The G400 is very overclockable, because 90% of them come with the max's 5ns ram, the core can oc to the moon and back but it's limited by the ram.

So a G400 at max speed is at least as fast as a TNT2 Ultra, faster in most cases. In case you're unlucky, and get a 6ns G400, a stock-speed G400 is faster than a TNT2 but is most of the time slower than a TNT2 Ultra.

With my system, I get 50-60 fps In Q3 demo1, high quality.

Once you get used to the G400's image quality though, theres no going back. I can't stand the geforces's "decent" images quality.

 
I had a G400 and in Battlezone II I would get 30FPS 800X600X32 with shadows turned off and 1 light source.

Now I get 85FPS @ 1024X768X32 with the shadows turned off and multiple light sources with a geforce 2 MX card.

Personally I can not tell the difference in 2d and Im running 1600X1200X32 3d the image quality is no different but the FPS there is a huge difference.

Some other FPS difference.
Title G400 geforce 2 MX
FLightsim2k 30FPS 45 upto 100 at high alt
Tribes 20, slow 30 @ 1258 And I can play 1600X1200 but not real smoothly

I like matrox but the card is a bit outdated. Maybe the G800 will prove to be something different?

-Merle
 
Thanks for everyones replies. Looks like opinions ,so far, are split down the middle between the G400 and the geforce 2 MX. Merle451--You mention the G800 card, do you know anything about it, specifications or when it will be available? Thanks
 
Get the G400Max, it'll have alot higher speed than the G400 normal but retain it's great image quality. I have a 32MB Single Head (not Max) and it is perfectly fine at 1024x768 32bit, high quality everything Q3. I don't know the exact fps. It might not be quite as speedy as the GeForce but it holds it's own and the other redeeming qualities are too much to pass up if you're in anything graphics. The 2d is also great I hear. If you want to spend the money (even if you don't!) I very strongly recommend the new Radeon All In Wonder, the ReplayTV-like features are just !@$# amazing. No monthly fee! Good luck in whatever you do,

Chris
 
a little OT, but how do you OC the g400? I have one and if it's managable w/ software or something, LMK. Thanks,

Girdogg
 
I wouldn't count on the G800 (or whatever Matrox is going to call it) on coming out in the near future. We've still have yet to see G450s out on the market. I would expect seeing the G800 @ around Spring 2001.

If you're looking for something now (and you're Hell-Bent on Matrox' image quality), the G400 MAX might be up your alley. They can be had for $189 US if you look around. Or for a lot let you can grab a vanilla G400 (either 16/32 MB; SH/DH to suit your tastes) and oc that to MAX levels.

Or you can go with some of the members' advice and grab an GF2 MX board. Take a look at one of Anand's GF2 MX reviews as it compares the Windows image quality w/that of the Matrox G400 and G450. The MX board is no slouch in 3D gaming especially in Open GL but don't compare (the MX) to a GF DDR or GF2 especially in higher-resolution gaming.

If you're into dual monitor action, the G4xx series is one of the best out there.



Girdogg look around here for MGA Tweak:

Matrox Utils
 
True the GeForce MX are better at gaming, it's a newer core, Matrox hasn't really updated it except for the 450 but the performance isn't that good. Matrox is great for Duals... so till MX has dual in production, it depends on what you want to use.

I have a G400 w/ dual monitor for doing crap and a TNT2U for games..
 
Don`t forget the Geforce2 MX is a good overclocker as well,plus you get all the latest features ,definetly the best buy at the moment.
 
I love my G400. It can overclock to MAX levels, but I haven't found a game that I needed to do that in. I can play Q3A, UT, Rogue Spear, etc... All are just beautiful. 1024x768 in Q3A and UT, 1280x1024 in Rogue Spear. You can get a 32mb Single Head G400 for $125 on-line. I would definitely recommend it. 🙂

amish

Oh, btw, we haven't seen any G450's because they are mainly for the OEM market. So, the retail market will be second in line to get them.
 
nVidia's Twinview can't compare to Matrox's Dualhead though.

Anyone have experience with the Radeon? Cause i'm thinking of getting a larger 19Inch or so monitor when i shift house to place along as the TV. (We're not taking the current one).

I was thinking of getting a cheap TV tuner card and will probably do some recording too. Of course, i'll be getting a larger HD and more ram soon.

But some people have been recommending the ATI all in wonder Pro. Seemed pretty good except i don't think pulling out my TNT2 card and replacing it with that would be very wise. 🙂

Any comments? Or should i simply forget this ridiculous idea? I don't feel like getting an LCD monitor as the price burns.
Also, i was wondering how the world i would share the audio. Cause one monitor showing the TV, another monitor probably running my games....hmmmm....
 
The 32MB version of G400 look sand plays nice.

We have P3-700, 256 ram, w/ 19-inch monitor.

Like u, do mostly 2D stuff, w/ 3D play. 2D is more important to us that 3D (or we'd get GF2 Ultra)

We play Q3A, UT, CounterStrike primarily. All look & run great. Have had a V3-3K in same PC (b4 G400). The G400 looks noticeably beter than the V3.

Heard good things about G400-Max.

I wouldn't wait for G800 either.

Have not done lotsa of research into Radeon, but I read where it's 2D was comparable to Matrox (can't confirm).

Matrox has been king of 2D for as long as I can rememeber.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top