Matrox Parhelia-512 256MB

[knowley]

Hi people

Does anyone know when the 256MB version of the Parhelia-512 is due out?

I am sure they said one was coming soon?

Thanks....

oh... and visit my new site....thanks!

 

[CrazySaint]

I dunno, but I bet it would cost a fortune....what do you want a 256MB Pariphernelia for, anyway?

 

[bacillus]

Current talk is to expect the 256MB version to be available around September this year.

 

[RanDum72]

Along with the increase in memory, hopefully Matrox would also boost core and memory speeds?

 

[knowley]

I wanted the 256mb.. so I would be "future proof" for a while!

I am guessing BUT I presume the next generation of cards are going to feature 256mb (geforce 5? who knows)... and theres no point buying the 128 version for it to be replaced with the 256 within 2/3 years when games/apps etc starting making use of the extra memory.

probably speaking complete tosh?

 

[Snoop]

I wanted the 256mb.. so I would be "future proof" for a while!

Why not just pickup a Geforce4mx or Radeon 8500, it will be more future proof for about 1/5 the price.

 

[knowley]

How can old tech. be more future proof? The mx is a "budget" card... and the 8500 is already being replaced by the 9000 series.

That besides I use matrox cards because the 2d quality is unsurpassed...I do play games but only once or twice a month, so I am not after out n out FPS. Still using G400 and loving it btw, but I forsee performace problems when ut2003 arrives!

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: knowley
I wanted the 256mb.. so I would be "future proof" for a while!

I am guessing BUT I presume the next generation of cards are going to feature 256mb (geforce 5? who knows)... and theres no point buying the 128 version for it to be replaced with the 256 within 2/3 years when games/apps etc starting making use of the extra memory.

probably speaking complete tosh?

NV30 will not be named after the GeForce series, they are making a new line of cards. The codename is Eclipse, no one knows what they are gonna call it yet. At least if they do, its not on the net for me to read about the refresh of the 9700 and the NV35 are RUMORED (put no weight behind this) to have 256MB options.

Of course 256MB of DDRII would be INSANELY expensive.

 

[Goi]

You ought to know that the Parhelia is only a DX8 card, much like the GF3, GF4 Ti, and ATI Radeon 8000/9000 series. It has some DX9 features, but it cannot claim to be DX9 compliant. Also, it is slower performing than any of the cards I've mentioned just now in most cases. The only edge it has over them is better signal quality, leading to better image quality, smart implementation of FAA and triple head. The first one might be of interest to you, but the other 2, I suspect not really.

So, if you don't play a lot of games and desire Matrox quality image quality, just get a 128MB version, a 256MB version would not make it "future proof" as its basically the same generation as the other DX8 cards with a few new features. Besides, its probably too slow to make use of the extra memory when its needed at higher resolutions/graphical settings.

 

[vm]

Do yourself a favor and don't buy that card..it's a pile of (expensive) crap.

 

[bacillus]

Originally posted by: vm
Do yourself a favor and don't buy that card..it's a pile of (expensive) crap.

not if you're using triple screens!

 

[knowley]

what about the 10 gigabit colour and 512bit GPU?
None of those match that?

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: knowley
what about the 10 gigabit colour and 512bit GPU?
None of those match that?

A 512bit GPU is useless if it doesn't provide the performance to match. And both the 9700 and the NV30 offer very high color precision, and ATI is also renowned for its 2D. You could probably get a 9700 Pro for noticably less than a 256MB Pariphernelia.

 

[Snoop]

How can old tech. be more future proof? The mx is a "budget" card... and the 8500 is already being replaced by the 9000 series.

Because, according to this review the mx "budget" card is competative and beats the Parhelia in the majority of benches.

 

[aswedc]

The TNT2 M64 is 32mb. It can't play a single modern game. The Radeon 7200 comes in 32MB. It can play most modern games. Big difference, you'll be a lot more future proof with a 64MB Radeon 9000...

 

[BFG10K]

Along with the increase in memory, hopefully Matrox would also boost core and memory speeds?

Even if they did you'll end up getting GF3 Ti200 performance at a low price of $600.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

I wanted the 256mb.. so I would be "future proof" for a while!

Then pick up a Radeon 8500 LE for 99 bucks. In most cases it's faster than the Parhelia.

 

[MournSanity]

If your gonna spend that much money, get a Radeon 9700 Pro BUILT BY ATI. It would be a much better investment than a Parhelia...

 

[knowley]

seems to be unaminous (sp?) then... ati maybe getting my cash after all?

 

[knowley]

would anyone get this?
http://www.ati.com/products/pc/aiwradeon8500dv/index.html

I have a compaq tft5010 for main screen and use my old 17" goldfish bowl for dvds (and TV if i had a tv card). So this baby is looking pretty cool?

Some of u mentioned the 8500..do u think ATI will release this package in the 9500pro?

+ I will be getting a camcorder mounted in my track car..so the video editing will be handy! Is the 2d colour good in this 8500?


Thanks...your all so helpfull ;-) ..as u can tell I have not shopped for graphics cards for a long time (hence g400!)

 

[aswedc]

Yes ATI should be releasing an All In Wonder based on the 9000 series. They have for every other chip they've produced since the Mach 64, so I don't see why not. If you want to get the 8500 better act fast though because I think they're discontinuing the whole 8500 line.

 

[FishTankX]

The Parhelia has it's strentghs in offering Matrox's awesome 2d and still maintiang reasonable 3d gaming performance. If you're a matrox nut, you should wait until the 64MB Parhelia hits the streets, as you don't seem like you game a whole whole lot. If 30FPS is reasonable for you, and you still want Matrox 2d, by all means, splurge on a parhelia (I would reccomend 64MB or 128MB) but if you want to sacrafice Matrox's awesome 2d and dualk head support for something lacking behind a bit, you really can't argue with something significantly cheaper. Not even Electric Amish bought his Parhelia card.

It seems that he has friends inside matrox and they told him to hold off for "Something better", so at any rate, don't buy any Parhelia today unless all you need is decent gaming performance and matrox 2d. I have to say though, tripple monitor is *AWESOME*!!

If you really want a *gaming* card, get the Radeon9700 pro. It costs almost as much, but it would quadruple the Parhelia in terms of performance, it has 2d that doesn't disapoint too badly to the average matrox user, and while it lacks giga color, tripple head, and such, it doesn't matter, after all, FPS is all important. Right BFG10K?

No, seriously, if you really must have Matrox 2d, wait for the 64MB parhelia. The Parhelia doesn't deserve 128 megs of memory. besides, with DXTC you have a theoretical 400+ megs of texture storage, and well the Parhelia is full of features. It'll probably 250$ or so. Tripple monitor, giga color, 16XFAA are all nice.

If you don't care *that* much about Matrox's feature set, then go with the Radeon8500 non LE 128MB. It's a nice card, and will do you good.

If you want to be able to play Doom3 and play every current game in 1600X1200@60FPS, Consider the Radeon9700.

 

[TheWart]

yea, I am with the other guys. I would just spend the money on the Radeon 9700. While it may be 128mb less, it outperforms the parhelia by leaps and bound, and IMO is much more 'future proof'.

 

[knowley]

now I have seen what these all in wonders offer I am tempted.

Do matrox/geforce cards have all the video editing/tv/dvd stuff as options... or is it something ati specalise in?

 

[FishTankX]

Generally it's something unique to Asus Geforce based cards, Matrox TV based cards, (G400 variant only at this point, no Parhelia video editing version) but you could always get a pincale and pair it up with your graphics card. Either that, or you could just go with an all in wonder DV-R and just use that since it comes with a firewire port, you know? Firewire is a definate must for anyone serious about digital video editing.

 

[Dolemite76]

Parhelia 256MB will burn a hole in your wallet... for developement even... maybe Matrox will have better luck with their next graphics chipset... hopefully competatively faster in games... want a future proof card... and willing to spend for a 256MB Matrox Perhelia part... wait and buy an NV30 when realeased now that's very future proof for most people's needs if you're willing to spend the cash...