What best dual monitor card?

[Makhlari]

I'm looking for the best (fastest, highest resolution etc) video card for dual monitor set up. Bucks no problem (but not too professional!) I'll be using it in conjunction with an editing package like Pinnacle DV500.
Thanks

 

[Zim Hosein]

Makhlari, w/ the needs you posted I go w/ the Matrox G550, here a direct link, hope it helps:
http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/mill_g550/dualhead.cfm

 

[DKNG]

Get the Radeon 8500! Its alot faster than the matrox, the 2D is pretty good but not as good as the matrox.

 

[Skibby9]

Care to qualify that statement? There is another thread here with a link to benchmarks showing the 2D PERFORMANCE being very similar until higher resolutions are reached, at which point the Matrox's performance begins a very steady decline, while the Radeon 8500 never breaks a sweat.

As far as 2D QUALITY goes, I have yet to see anything unbiased. I can say that I've never heard anything less than superlatives regarding Matrox's 2D quality. OTOH ATI's 2D quality is universally held in high regard, too.

Have you considered runniing anti-aliasing all the time? I'm sure the radeon handles that MUCH more quickly than the Matrox.

Also, would you, or anyone else that uses your pc, ever want to play a 3D game?

One last idea-- being that you have a generous budget and are into editing, have you looked into the Radeon 8500DV, the newest All-in-Wonder?
Most reviews rave about it.

 

[RSMemphis]

Radeon 8500DV is not a dual-head card.
You can plug in a monitor and a tv at the same time, but they show the same picture.

If you do not use 3D applications, get a Matrox G450 (no DVI) or a Matrox G550 (one DVI, one DB15 analog)
If you use 3D, get the Radeon 8500, which costs roughly twice as much as the Matrox cards.

HTH

 

[minendo]

I just upgraded from a Matrox G450 dual head to a Radeon 8500 because I need 3d performance. The Matrox card definitely was better in 2d, but hey I got to play my games.

 

[Superwormy]

You might want to consider two video cards too... like maybe a Geforce3 and a Matrox card secondary...

Also look at the new Geforce4s, which have multiple monitor support and are damn fast...

If you're just using it for video editing, I would say no contest Matrox G550