Radeon X800 or GeForce 6800 GTO for best *non-gaming* display??

[Mr.Diggler]

I will be using dual 19" LCDs and do not play games much. I am just interested in the best 2D quality display.

I am currently using a Matrox G400 on CRTs and it is nice, but it's not an option on the new computer I'm getting from Dell. (First time in seven years not building my own.)


For best quality of text/2D display on dual LCD monitors, which graphics card should I put in? Here are my options:

128MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X800 SE
256MB PCI Express? x16 Nvidia® GeForce 6800 GTO Graphics Card
256MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X800 XT

Are these going to be as good as my Matrox G400 at least?

I had thought the Radeons had better 2D quality than GeForces, but that was years ago. Any change?

The main difference I see in specs is that the GeForce card has two DVI outputs while the Radeons have only one. Is that a big deal for LCDs?

 

[MDE]

Anything with dual DVI, just make sure to get two DVI capable monitors and you're set.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Honestly if you're going to not be gaming at all, it might be best to just get a dual PCI-e board and two dual-display low-end PCI-e graphics cards (like X300's or something). It should be considerably cheaper and even give you the option for 4 displays if you wanted it (or one or two TV-outs if you fancied that). Cheaper and more options...

Something to consider, anyway.

 

[Mr.Diggler]

I'm getting two of the Dell LCDs with DVI inputs so both will be DVI capable.

Dual PCI-e board...hmm...I'll look into that. The X800 XT is only like $160 and the GTO only $70 for me, so I don't know how much I'd be saving, but the extra options might be nice down the road.

So 2D quality on the GeForce is going to be pretty good with the dual-DVI? That will definitely be better than one DVI, one Analog with the Radeons? Is it going to be at least as good as my current G400?

 

[kylebisme]

DVI quality on just about any card will be fine. If you don't plan to game you might as well get two PCI radeon 7000s for $80 total or whatever else you can find cheap.