Sijun Forums :: View topic

Blind · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2000 7:30 am

Hiya fellas... don't get mad at me for not using the search to find this info, because you know how PC hardware is... the latest and greatest changes from week to week.

I was just curious what the consensus was in here about the best video card to use for dual-display on a PC. I don't think I'm too concerned with 3D, as I won't use this machine for any gaming or anything, and I'm not currently into modeling at all. I just want to put together a solid Photoshop rig.

I think I've got the rest of the hardware covered, but the last time I looked, the Matrox G400 was one of the better choices. Does this still hold true? As always, I'd appreciate any opinions you could lend. Thanks...

------------------
- Blind
[email protected]
Clan Shred Company

PuckDewd · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2000 3:37 pm

The Matrox Millenium 400 is the best out there for dual monitors IMHO. So it sounds like you already know that.

Blind · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2000 6:22 pm

I suppose so... I just didn't want to run out and grab a G400 right away without checking in here to see if something else better hasn't come along.

------------------
- Blind
[email protected]
Clan Shred Company

nori · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2000 9:34 pm

I have a G400 as well and I find it to run excellent. I don't do duel monitors though..

dr . bang · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2000 9:49 pm

Damn it! I had Millenium G400 and i traded it back for a cheap video card and its crap, stay with Millenium G400 if you never use 3d program or games!

Rinaldo · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 2:14 am

There are some new cut down versions of the Geforce2 called the Geforce2MX. I got one when they first came out but they wern't making them with dual support. supposedly the're wating for new drivers (which in the form of the detonator3 are out now) so that some features would actuialy work.the G400 blows for 3D apparently. With my Geforce MX it works pretty good for games (a bit better than a geforce SDR according to http://www.tomshardware.com ) I think it would be better than a G400 for 2d But I don't know. Matrox are also bringing out a 450 or somthing. The GeforceMXs in dual montor are not going to be out until end of this month or something. Go have a look at Nvidia's site. I got the Asus ver but the Leadtek is supposed to be better and cheaper (thats what happens when you get somehting when it first comes out

) The MX is damn cheap too.

Frost · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 5:39 am

The Matrox G400 is still the choice by excellence if your not a hardcore gamer. Matrox has always had the fastest 2D around, bar none. For 3D, it is indeed lacking in terms of rendering speed compared to a GeForce256 (note that the G400 is half the price or less), but I must sincerely say that I have one at home and I never felt like I was stalling on video even in games in a general aspect. If you're going to be using OpenGL for modeling and such, don't count on the G400 -- the OpenGL support is quite shaky, but this will be rectified in a few months as some very intense work is being done in this department -- be prepared for the best and fastest OpenGL support given around...

The upcoming G450 will be pretty much the same as a G400, but will probably be sold for a cheaper price, giving the usual Dual-Head support, EMBM, etc.

Matrox always offers great quality and performance for your money. NVidia's GeForce2 cards are sold at over $500 US, and honestly, you may not see a difference if you're not the true hardcore gamer. NVidia's entrance in the dual-monitor domain is giving them more trouble than they anticipated, and many of the true and tested Matrox Dual-head features simply won't work on Nvidia technology...

Just my 2 cents worth.

AliasMoze · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 9:23 am

I'm thinking of running two monitors with the Matrox G400. Is it better to have two identical monitors, or can I use a 19 inch and a 17 inch?

The reason I ask is I have a 19" Trinitron. I have a 17" KDS, which I want to use for toolbars, etc. Would I have a problem with doing this?

Thanks.

Frost · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 9:41 am

Aliasmoze: The monitor's sizes/makes/models make no difference. You should note that the second monitor port may not be as fast as the primary -- I'm currently working in 1280x1024 (2560x1024 desktop width) 32-bit at 75Hz under Win2K.

Feel free to read more about it here. For general info on the G400 Millenium, go here.

Blind · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 9:51 am

Thanks for the replies fellas. I think I'm going to hold off for a month or so and see what crops up, and then proably wind up with a G400 anyway, but..

Alias: You can use different monitor sizes/types/brands, but I think it would probably be best to have two identical monitors. To be honest, I haven't set up a dual display system yet, but I would think for resons of calibrating and color matching between the two, having two of the same should be easier. If it's just toolbars on the one monitor, fine. But what if you're using it for reference or a zoomed out copy of what you're working on? I'm not sure. I suppose you could get two different monitors set as close as possible to each other.

------------------
- Blind
[email protected]
Clan Shred Company