2-D VGA Card Advice?

Matrox is probably a good choice, otherwise a Ti4200 or a Radeon 9200 should be good too but since it's mainly photoshop go with Matrox or ATI cause of better IQ

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matrox

Athlon 1700+, Epox 8RDA (NForce2), Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 9 80GB 8MB cache, 2x256mb Crucial PC2100 in Dual DDR, Geforce 3, Audigy, Z560s, MX500

What product number of Matrox - spec's?



<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

Go to your local computer store and drop $10 on a 4MB Matrox MGA Millenium PCI.

Seriuusly, a 2MB card is really enough for what you're doing, but you might as well go 4MB since it's cheap.

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Suppose I could get a board with integrated graphics. But I wanted a mid/low priced card that might do some 3-D - but principally be for non-gaming. Maybe a decent 64MB card.



<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

Let me clarify, I'm presently running an nVidia TNT 64 Pro (32MB) - was hoping for a little newer and better.

<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

I dont know enough about matrox's latest stuff to comment on specifics but they've always had the best 2D quality in the business. They still do from what I've read about the Matrox Parhelia. Next best is usually ATI... with ATI you can get good 3D performance also.

Athlon 1700+, Epox 8RDA (NForce2), Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 9 80GB 8MB cache, 2x256mb Crucial PC2100 in Dual DDR, Geforce 3, Audigy, Z560s, MX500

ANY gaming then the ATIs 9000/9100/9200 all come with passive heatsink with various OEMs. You can also get Built by ATI cards at a slight premium (but no passive for the 9000Pro, just non-pro).
If gaming is of little concern (primarily 2D etc) then the MAtrox cards are the very best in 2D and the G200/400/450/550 will all do the job fairly well, as will an older version as well. The P650 and 750 are SWEET cards but a little more expensive and not passively cooled, but they would be the only one's capable (but not great) of any kind of gaming IMO other than the Parhelia, but I wouldn't suggest it for 'gaming', but allows you to do a little while being primarily a GREAT 2D card.


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Thanks - I'll look into those.


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

Now let's say, I "might" want to do some 3-D tasks, what card would allow that - nVidia TI4200 perhaps?


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

What kind of 3d? The 4200 is a gaming card.

These days, no matter what company you like, be it <b>nVidia, ATi, or whatever,</b> no matter how logical your reasons, you're labeled an <b>idiot</b> or a <b>fanboy</b>, or <b>both.</b>

I've been looking at some 3-D architecture programs - design you own home kinda stuff - I'm thinking 2-D, Photoshop cards may not be enough - plus I'd like some animation potential - in case I want it.
Who knows, I might want a couple of "games" - and I don't want to build with a card that won't allow that.

But I don't want to spend $350-$400 either.


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

For somethings as low level as 'designing a house' the Matroxs should be good enough as should the R8500/9000/9100 (may be a bit better at 3D). The GF4 would have lower 2D quality, although the FX5200 (can't believe I'm saying this) also wouldn't be too bad as they've upgraded the RAMDACs on the FX series, and their picture quality has improved. I'd still suggest the Matroxs for quality (and they will do basic 3D tasks [just don't expect it to fly through the likes of MAYA]). I know the R9000/9100/9200s with 128mb can handle a good load at a cheap price.Anything they can't handle, then I'd suggest either a PRO-level (not ATI-pro but professional AGPPRO cards), and they won't be quiet very either. A Radeon 9600 or GF-FX5600-256mb (once again I wouldn't recommend it for any other apps) might also be good but that's more expensive and not quiet either.

What I would say is until you KNOW for SURE what you need from those programs etc, Stick with the less expensive cards that give you alot of bang for your buck, then upgrade later. The Matroxes and Radeons (and maybe the FX5200 [btw, it can also be found with passive cooling]) will give you GREAT 2D and OK 3D, and then later you can upgrade if you feel that's not enough. The Radeons & FX will let you play games better.


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Perfect - Thanks for your advice and expertise, TGGA.



<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>