need opinion on Matrox video card

[pilgrim]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if any Matrox video card will be able to play game such Age of Empire 3 and Counter strike ?

Any comment please ? thanks

[Mr.Ferrari]

Matrox cards are usually used for professional graphic (CAD) and video work. They have great 2d based image quality, and many are made for multi-monitor setups.

To answer your question, I would go ahead and say no, if so, poorly. They aren't made for gaming.

You need a proper video card for gaming.

[pilgrim]

Mr.Ferrari, what would you recommend for the card that able to do video editing and Photoshop, as good as matrox (at least close) and also to play game ?

Thank You

[Mr.Ferrari]

For casual video and photoshop, I would say a decent ATi card of your liking should get the job done and game nicely.

Just FYI, ATi and Nvidia both have their own lines of professional cards, ATi's FireGL and Nvidia's Quadro. They are modified versions of a normal card and will game similiarly to the card its based off of. However these are VERY expensive and will game poorly compared to the price you pay for them. So i'd say stick to normal video cards.

Whats your budget?

[pilgrim]

$200 Max.

[whubbard]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150202

Its only 139 after rebate and will suit your needs very well.

[Mr.Ferrari]

ATi has better IQ (image quality) over nvidia in 2d enviroments.

I would check out the X1950PRo or the such pilgrim. Make sure your powersupply is up to the task.

[pilgrim]

Wow...thank a lot Whubbard and Mr.Ferrari for quick responses.

I do appreciate your time.

Tomorrow I will post in build my PC forum for my part list.

thanks

[whubbard]

sounds good. I'll look for your post tomorrow.

Here is a link to the card ferrari is suggesting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102075

You will notice the Asus 1950pro on newegg is cheaper, but the Sapphire cards is much more compact than the asus card. However if you system gets hot, the asus has a better cooler.

Also, here is the deal between the 1950pro and the 7900gs:
The 1950pro is better...I was wrong. :p
^^should have figured since i did a bunch of research of 1950 vs. 7900 before buying my card (just didn't realize the 1950 price drop)^^

[Mr.Ferrari]

Even cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061 $125 after rebate.

[whubbard]

...but with only half the memory
the 512 will come in handy with photoshop and video editing. (and games as well)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Very true, but he won't notice any real performance increase unless hes gaming at high resolutions with eye candy turned up to maximum. Even then its a few FPS. ;).

Same goes for video editing or graphic work, he has to use some really intensive programs such as CAD and Maya. But you have a good point. If he has the budget..go for it.

[whubbard]

I guess its just going to come down to whether or not hes will to spend the extra $$ for the performace