Need advice on video card for Graphic designer.

[TimeKeeper]

This set up is mainly for graphic designer ... Photoshop, Dreamweaver, flash......

System is ready, except need a video card(s) for 2 17" LCD dual screen.

(speed come after stability)
Will MX 400 dual adequate, and fast enough?
Or should I buy two video card for it?
If dual video card is what you suggest, please also name which TWO that I should buy.

How about OS? Again, mainly for graphic design, Win2k or Win98SE. (sorry, I don't trust ME)

Please advice.

thanks!

 

[TimeKeeper]

Please........I absolutely know nothing about graphic editing.

 

[SgtStank]

I'd say go with Windows 2000 for better memory management for mem intensive apps like Photoshop.

If the LCD's you have support digital input, and your "client" has the money, go with the Matrox G200MMS.
It will support up to 4 digital/analog displays. Maximum digital resolution is 1280x1024. Maximum analog is 1960x1280 I believe. This card runs just under $900.

If the LCD's use analog inputs or above card is too much $$$, go with the Matrox G450 Dual-Head. It's under $200 and supports 2 analog displays at 1600x1200@32bpp on both displays. The primary RAMDAC runs at 360Mhz and the secondary at 230Mhz, so it has great 2D. Can also be setup in multitude of ways, ie- same display on both monitors, spread desktop across monitors, independant display on each monitor, etc.

Both of these cards are popular in graphics and trading industries.

 

[gsaldivar]

Definitely go with Windows 2000 for stability.

As far as the video card goes, I have extensive experience in graphic design, but little experience with the MX400, sorry!

 

[wfbberzerker]

I've heard that the Radeon line of video cards have very good 2d performance, but I have no knowledge of this personally, sorry. If you want a dual-head card, then I recommend the ATI Radeon VE. It's about $100, but has pitiful 3d performance. But, it has Radeon's good 2d combined with dual-monitor capabiliities.

 

[JeffDogg1979]

"How about OS? Again, mainly for graphic design, Win2k or Win98SE. (sorry, I don't trust ME)"

Why don't you ask the person you're building the computer for what OS/Hardware he wishes to run? I'd assume if this person is actually a graphic designer(and not some kid wanting to learn flash) he knows something about "graphic hardware". Most Web & graphic designers I know use MACS. I think he would want to have a little more input to the system than you are giving him.

I personally would suggest WindowsNT 4.0, but I also see he's not really doing real "Graphic Design" he's doing something that sounds like web design, so Windows 2000 is ok.

I checked with a real "graphic designer" at my work, he confirms what I initially though "if he's ever going to be doing something more that simple stuff, and more complex stuff like(3D MAX, Maya, etc.) I'd suggest a Geforce Card paired with a strong PCI vid card(in win2k) if price is an issue, or a Dual Head Oxygen Card(for win2k or WinNT) if he's serious."

BTW, he also noted(as I would) any graphic designer worth his salt would not use 9x/ME(not one that I know of anyway) as an OS.

 

[Topochicho]

Nvidia makes one hell of a line of 3d cards but their 2d stinks like rotten fish...

Matrox has really always been the king of 2d, and ATI does a pretty good job themselves, but i haven't been impressed with their driver support (win2000) in the past. Also its been a while since i've dealt outside the MS OS umbrella (so correct me if I'm wrong) but I think Matrox also has good driver support for alternative OSs.

 

[Mingon]

<< Nvidia makes one hell of a line of 3d cards but their 2d stinks like rotten fish... >>




Well I have a Elsa Ultra, and damn this fish smells good kinda like fish pie

 

[majewski9]

This is for photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash. I have all of these programs! I recommend matrox line of cards of any Radeon card for these 2d programs! All of them don't stress vid cards too much. I'd be more worried about RAM then anything.

 

[SgtStank]

I saw no mention of 3D apps (for which I'd use 3DLabs or Canopus cards). Therefore, my recommendations were based on features for 2D design processes. I used to work in the publishing industry and can appreciate the benefits provided by such features. Also, as mentioned, definitely beef up on the memory. I've seen Photoshop, using hi-res images eat up every bit of 768MB of RAM and start thrashing the HD's relentlessly. So if this guy is gonna be working with professional quality images and separations throw as much mem at him as possible.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Thanks for all your help, really appreciate that.

As the issue if he is a &quot;real&quot; graphic designer or not, let's just leave it as is.

 

[Huma]

If he's not doing 3d, there's no reason to get anything other than a matrox g450 or g550 (when it's out).

extremely solid 2d, and the best dual head solution of them all.