Matrox Graphics Cards

[Nikolai]

Hey Guys,
I was reading on the internet, that for 2D work on photoshop, you cant go any better then the Matrox Millenium P650 PCIe 128 .... It costs around $450 where I am in Australia ... our dollar is similar to the $US ... do you think that this is a legitimate claim or re there other graphics cards that would do an equal job for a more affordable price?
Thanks for your suggestions.

[[Dr. V]]

I'm 100% confident that you can get a much cheaper card that will do the same. 8500gt, or even the 8400gs. Check them out.

[Stormcrow]

Matrox's 2D performance and image quality is almost legendary, but you pay the price for it...and a steep one it is. While AMD and Nvidia cards are geared for 3D performance, they are almost if not on par with Matrox in the 2D sector. Used to be Matrox would lead with its multi-monitor support, reputation for dependability, and quieter/silent cooling, but you can find all that in a AMD/Nvidia card for around $100 now. Especially with the new mainstream/budget section being more geared for home entertainment and multimedia rather then just games, I'd say you could get a 7600GT for around $85 and be very pleased, or a silent 2400/8500 for a little more.

[Nikolai]

Cool thanks for that ...
are there other specifications with the graphics card i should think about like 128 or 256? pci? dvi?

Also i will want to split the computer between two monitors, and be widescreen compatible as i am using an Eizo ce210-w ... along with someother cheapish monitor just for my tools and info to sit.
will this video card enable this ?

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by ST!X

I'm 100% confident that you can get a much cheaper card that will do the same. 8500gt, or even the 8400gs. Check them out.

Highly doubt that, ST!X. That's far, but really far from a P650.

[[Dr. V]]

Of course it's not close to what the P650 can do, I mean it will do a perfectly fine job with Photoshop..

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Nikolai

Cool thanks for that ...
are there other specifications with the graphics card i should think about like 128 or 256? pci? dvi?

Also i will want to split the computer between two monitors, and be widescreen compatible as i am using an Eizo ce210-w ... along with someother cheapish monitor just for my tools and info to sit.
will this video card enable this ?

256 is the current standard, for 3D that is. Not sure for 2D, I believe 128 would do the job but I'm not an expert. For best image quality, you want DVI. Analog has to convert the digital signal from the card to one the monitor can display, so you loose some quality; while DVI is it's pure digital form. Of course, any LCD worth it's salt has a DVI connector anyway, and the newer graphics cards are all DVI with the exception of the bargain bin.
PCI is way too slow, and for the system you're building I can guarantee you'll be running PCI-Express. Pretty much any card out there, unless specifically geared for aging AGP systems, is PCI-E, so no worries. Just check the label.

You're going to want a card with dual DVI to support both monitors, which luckily is pretty much any good card out there. A 8600GT/2600XT have dual DVI standard, and you can probably find dual DVI on some lesser cards too. Just shop around, and read the specs. All your needs for graphics have pretty much become standard in the last 2 years

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by ST!X

Of course it's not close to what the P650 can do, I mean it will do a perfectly fine job with Photoshop..

Depends what you mean by "perfectly fine" man.
The guy has an EIZO monitor, going for around $1100 (21inch WS LCD) you know?

If you want the absolute best colors, don't hesitate.
The P650 is also dual-head, so no problem there. It supports up to 2 LCDs at 1920x1200 each. :)
For more than 3 monitors, you will need another peripheral.

[[Dr. V]]

But we also have to know what ELSE he's doing with the card.

[Nikolai]

well ill be not doing too much else with the card.... its going to be a setup that is dedicated to photoshop work ... i wont even have this computer online to the net to fully protect it from malware,virii et al ..
The crucial thing is to get true colours, and expose the fullest gamut of adobe RGB, with emphasis on detail and contrast accuracy .... i dont even really know what part a graphics card plays in such 2D work .. could you explain it somehow?
I calibrate the monitor to eye-one display to get accurate colours .... but i dont understand how a graphics card can enhance the monitors ability to show colours and other things??? could someone explain this ?
The EIZO CG and CE ae meant to be the pinnacle of image reproduction onto monitors ... so for me to get the most out of that sort of investement is important ... but if it makes no different between graphics cards then i shouldnt spend more for a fancier card ....
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!