Is the Matrox G450 better than the G550 in 2D?

[MidiGuy]

I guy wrote in a review that the Matrox G550 doesn't display 2D as well as the G450 (at least in 1600x1200 at 32 bit). He said the image looked "soapy". The excellent 2D is, of course, just about the only real reason to buy either of these cards. I'm looking for a card for a non-gamer, so I want the 2D to be great.

Can anyone confirm or deny that the G450 performs better than the G550 in 2D in any way?

Thanks!

-Midi

 

[Rand]

I don't believe I've ever heard anyone say the G550 has poor 2d quality. I've heard debates on how much better they are then other vendors, but I've never heard anyone actually say their 2D was anything less then stellar.

From my own impression the G450/550 offer virtually identical 2D image quality.

 

[Rankor]

You cannot go wrong with either one. Which ever is cheaper and readily available. The only difference between the two is the Headcasting technology that the G550 has and the G450 has not w/c the G550 includes modified TnL engine as compared to the G450.

I'm quite happy with my G450 as I could spend hours behind the computer doing work and such on both my Trinitron 21" and 17". When the Parhelia is roughly at the $150 range, I'll be more than happy to pick that up to replace my G450 for productivity and workstation apps.

 

[MidiGuy]

What are the disadvantages of getting OEM versions of these cards vs. retail? Would I be missing anything very important or any software that I couldn't download from the Internet?

 

[fr]

Originally posted by: MidiGuy
What are the disadvantages of getting OEM versions of these cards vs. retail? Would I be missing anything very important or any software that I couldn't download from the Internet?

You would probably just be missing the TV out adapter and DVD player. The drivers are free from Matrox online.

 

[MidiGuy]

Thanks. What about other software, like any applications or utilities that come with the cards?

Also, someone said in another thread that he thinks the OEM versions of Matrox cards are clocked down a bit. Does anyone know for a fact whether this is true?

 

[Priit]

There was no difference in clock speeds between OEM and retail G450.