xstatic said:
I agree on many points concerning getting a single triple head card. However, the last time I checked they were considerably more expensive than even two dual head cards. Also, Matrox is a well recognized and respected brand, but is also notorious for hogging resources and creating conflicts with all sorts of audio software.
To rationalize about the cost of Parhelia is something understandable, because it doesn't come cheap.
But considering how well it does its magic, for many people, it is a very good investment, that becomes a firm belief after several days working with Matrox.
This rumors and suggestions from those who claim that Matrox be reason for major conflicts is rather exaggerated , at least from
my vista as long time Matrox user.
You say several hardware/manufactures, it would take several posts with names within industry that recommend Matrox as the first and the main choice. Not to mention, entire sectors within medical and military industry, that as you know, have very strict tolerance standards. For more then a decade the are served happily by Matrox. It has become very trendy for many recent DAW PC Company builders to highlight as sale option, High End gaming cards, yet those are the last to even consider in serious setup.
Those of consistent within this group, only builds their systems around Matrox.
Far from suggesting that ATI is not good candidate (depending on model), however, one glance only to capabilities of Matrox picture setup compared to ATI's own one (mostly 3D game oriented options) and every comparisons ends. It is not without reason that to get 2D precisely and refresh to ones exact liking, one has to use other utilities like Rage3D or Powerstrip. Matrox alone has more precise setup options then all of them combined
Bear in mind also, something that money simply can't buy ... Matrox support.
Where in the world can you find these days that company would treat your problem with (for example) almost a decade old models (G) with same importance as with the latest models?
If you post your question on Matrox forum today, you can usually expect your answer/solution in few hours at the most, this is something that is almost unique in this corporate mentality.
Either you buy Parhelia, or you should rethink your approach to your designated goal, and that is
larger working screen area. Because, placing another card in my view, is > bad decision.
Have you also considered selling your present screens and look for some used Cinema (Apple) 20+ models, also there are plenty of other very reasonably priced models out there.. Then you could add another one and you could get desired space with just dual!
Idea of placing a raw PCI card with PCI-E strikes me as really obsolete in 2006.