Using an old video card

[mjia]

I need to support 3 monitors on my PC. my ATI 9200 (AGP) can support 2 of them, so I need a way of supporting 1 more. I'm thinking of adding a cheap PCI video card to support it. Cost and compatibility is my main concern (I'm running XP).

I'm considering the Matrox Millenium II card which i can get on ebay for $10 shipped. I'll have it powering a 17-19" LCD (1280x1024).

What I'm unclear about is it graphic performance. Will the fact that I have a 9200 in the system as well negate the limitted speed of the Matrox? My main concerns are video playback (I don't want anything jumpy), photoshop, and general system responsiveness. In other words, will adding a slower video card make the whole graphics part of the machine slower? if so, will it have an impact on all monitors or just the one attached.

 

[mjia]

The auction is ending soon...I hope someone knows the answer to my question...

Thanks, and sorry to prod.

 

[BassBomb]

as long as you wont game you will be fine im sure

cant you find geforce 2's for pci cheaper? anyways

it wont slow down , you might get BARELY any noticable lag on that single montior when suddenly using it or something, dont expect 3d performacne if u use 3dsmax or anything ..

 

[mjia]

Thanks for the opinion.

I haven't been able to find much else for this price (not PCI ones at least). The only other chipset I can find is the TNT2...is this any better?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: mjia
Thanks for the opinion.

I haven't been able to find much else for this price (not PCI ones at least). The only other chipset I can find is the TNT2...is this any better?

At that generation of chip, if you're driving a VGA signal, you'll prefer the quality of the Matrox.

Also, you're running an ATI primary - adding an nVidia secondary might cause the FanBoy circuits in each to explode. :laugh:

- M4H

 

[mjia]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will get a Matrox.

Now, I've found an even cheaper Matrox (a PCI Millenium I), but its only 4 meg. According to their specs, it can support 24 bits at 1280x1024. What I don't get is that the 8 meg version says that it supports 32 bits at that resolution, expect it lists the 2 cards as supporting the same number of colors...

It says something about alpha channels for the 32 bit version. I don't see how alpha channels or transparency have any application for 2D graphics...are they refering to support of alpha channels in 3D?