Dual Display Graphics Card

ChrisK2972 · June 11th, 2003, 02:19 AM

I am about to do a few upgrades to my computer and need a recommendation on a good video card that has dual monitor support.

Presently, I am using an ATI Radeon 7000 32M DDR card. Since I am not a real gamer, this card has met my needs nicely. The few games I play are not heavy on graphics (Law and Order; CSI, ect). I do edit allot photos and stuff like that. Also, I do allot web surfing, and use my computer for school related activites. Occasionly, I play around with building web pages. So, you can see that I do not need a whole lot of 3D power and such.

This is what I want:

Dual monitor support

TV OUT (my computer is real close to my TV and I would like to use my computer to watch DVD's on the TV)

a card that is great with text rendering. I often write for six to eight hours at a time. I need clear sharp text.

gaming capability that matches or exceeds what I have now. As I said, my Radeon 7000 works perfectly for what little gaming I do.

As for my mobo, I have MSI K7T 266Pro-R (AGP 4X). However, I am also going to be upgrading this as well. So, I will make the Graphics card decision first and then purchase a board that will support it. I will, however, go with a MSI 8X board of some type.

I really appreciate any recommendations. Since dual monitors is a new area for me, I really do not know where to start.

Thanks!

ChrisK

Kruzin · June 11th, 2003, 06:44 AM

Matrox P750 Millennium or Matrox Parhelia will support dual monitors and tv-out at the same time, and give you the best graphics in the industry.
AFAIK, these are the only cards available that will do dual monitor AND tv-out at the same time.

http://shopmatrox.com/usa/home.asp

tmx468 · June 11th, 2003, 08:00 AM

IS having both TV and monitor both running a necessary aim, or will it be one or other?

ChrisK2972 · June 11th, 2003, 11:05 AM

for me, it will be one or the other. I have never used a Matrox card but have often heard that they are top notched cards. I will talk a look at them. Thanks for the ideas.

What about this one: MATROX G450 32MB DDR 4X AGP ? I can get one at New Egg for around 84 bucks. The adapter for S-Video and AV jacks cost about 14.

Kruzin · June 11th, 2003, 07:16 PM

G450 and G550 TVout is not all that great.
If you where to get an older card, G400 was the best of the G series, both for TVout, and performance.
I have had them all, and the G400 is the one I still use in my kids/home entertainment system (G450 and G550 being handed down to family/friends), with a Parhelia in my main rig running triple displays