Need a dual-DVI video card - recommendations?

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"The Fat Guy" <fatguy@spamland.com> wrote in message news:LE1Ad.38108$ld2.15922598@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> Hi all-
>
> I have a Dell 400SC that I was going to turn into a dedicated NLE system
> (using Vegas Video 5.0 running on Windows XP Pro), but I need to upgrade
> the video card first (they come stock with a PCI video card that can
> barely drive a DOS window).
>
> I had placed an order with Buy.com for a Matrox Millenium P650, but
> they're currently out of stock (hate those guys - website still shows
> 'ships in 1-2 days') and everywhere else I look, I'm paying about
> $160-170 for the card, shipped.
>
> This extra $25 from what I ended up spending (courtesy of a coupon and
> free shipping - you get what you pay for) has me wondering whether or
> not I really want the P650. I've always had Matrox cards before, and
> I've never had any serious problems with them, and the display for 2D
> has been outstanding. Thing is, the cards were always reasonably priced
> - at $170, I can buy a dual-DVI card with actual 3D ability, that could
> put the 650 to shame (I don't play games on my PCs, and certainly not
> this one - but that doesn't mean I won't find some other way to end up
> needing halfway decent 3D performance).
>
> So the bottom line is - I need a dual-DVI card (will be driving two Dell
> 17" UltraSharp 1704FPV TFT displays) and I'm willing to spend between
> $150-200 for it. It'll be running WinXP Pro, primarily to run Vegas 5.
> Any suggestions? Or should I just stick with the Matrox and stop
> moaning about the extra $15 and lack of 3D?

On 17" TFT monitors (I'm assuming native resolution of
1280x1024) you won't see any difference in 2D quality
between Matrox and the other two major manufacturers.
Matrox's traditional advantage was signal quality at higher
(and analog) resolutions, neither of which apply in your case.

But you should also ask yourself what "other way to end up
needing decent 3D performance" means. If you want the
option for 3D gaming, modeling etc then scrap the Matrox.
Otherwise don't worry about it.