matrox G400 32Mb v.s Geforce

[flamethrower205]

How does the 32MB Matrox G400 compare to say a GF2 MX in 3d and 2d? How about visual quality? Think it'd be good for a musician?

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[SerArthurDayne]

I don't think a G400 can even compare with a TNT2 in terms of 3d framerates... however, their 2d/3d image quality has always been their selling point. A Matrox card in 2d makes ATi look like garbage ^_^

"Laziness is a talent to be cultivated like any other" - Walter Slovotsky

 

[Toejam31]

It's got the best software DVD that I've seen. You'd have to install a hardware MPEG-2 card to have comparable quality with other video cards, including ATI.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[AMD_Man]

Not anymore, the Radeon 8500 has a 400MHz RAMDAC!

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor

 

[flamethrower205]

Thanks- I'll probably get the G400 for my friend, as he won't be doing any 3d work. How about drivers? Is Matrox a good company in that aspect?

If it's working...overclock it!

 

[Toejam31]

We'll see how it looks if and when ATI released decent drivers for the card. Like many people ... that's my only complaint. The software never seems to live up to the promise of the hardware.

That <i>is</i> one hell of a fast RAMDAC. I've never had one on a video card faster than my monitor (350MHz).

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[Toejam31]

I've never had a problem with Matrox drivers. I doubt that you will, either. Not a fly-by-night outfit, by any means.

<A HREF="http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/home.cfm" target="_new">http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/home.cfm</A>

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[flamethrower205]

Finally, does the Matrox G400 come in PCI format. If its DVD playback is so good, I may consider it as a second vid card for my computer as well.

If it's working...overclock it!

 

[Toejam31]

Unfortunately, no ... the G400 series never had a PCI model. But ... there is the G450:

<A HREF="http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/mill_g450/pci.cfm" target="_new">http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/mill_g450/pci.cfm</A>

I think this would be a good choice for what you have in mind. I've seen DVD run off of this card, too ... it's very nice.

However, if you already have a decent video card, and just want really good DVD, an MPEG-2 card might be the right way to go, and cheaper, too.

<A HREF="http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products/hollywood_plus.htm" target="_new">http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products/hollywood_plus.htm</A>

This is that I'm running, and it's pretty killer in Win2K. Not a great deal of features in the software bundle, but the quality of the playback is superb.

Note: The software DVD player doesn't work worth a damn in Win9x ... but is superior in Win2K. Go figure.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>