Need new PC: Parhelia or Ati 9700

[Jacco Hoeve]

This is not a flame.. just a question for a decision I need to make:

I am a happy G450 user at the moment. It is just that its speed isnt all that great. I plan on buying a new PC real soon. Since my boss is going to pay ..

Now I have a dillema . I think the Parhelia is nice but its too expensive.. I could afford it but I am not sure if it is worth it. I might as well wait a few weeks for the Radeon 9700?

Then again: on paper the Parhelia is a blast. Is there any hope for problems to be fixed for a massive increase in speed?

2D is important, but I dont think the ATi would do bad on my 19" IIYAMA Vision Master Pro.. or would the Parhelia be significantly better?

- Sigh - Give me hope .. or should I go for ATi and not feel the pain for leaving Matrox?

[ratboy]

Wait and see the reviews on the Ati. I'm doing the same as work is getting me a new machine (Just delaying it at the moment)

[Dogbert]

Important question: Are you going to use more than 1 monitor or not ?

[ratboy]

I use 2 Nec 18" LCDs. These have in their time been connected to a G400, ATI Mobility & GeForce2Go chipsets all capable of running 2 screens.

All these chipsets have pretty much the same controls i.e. Move window from screen 1 to 2 with the press of a hotkey.

The only benefit of the P over ATI is that it can run 3 monitors. Even then it is in stretched mode which is a pain to work with.

[Dogbert]

It has other benefits as well since it does everything in hardware on the first two monitors. Try running DVD on the second monitor in non [M]atrox cards and you'll see what it's like.

Not to mention that there is no comparison between DH and Twinview, just try the two and you'll see the difference(s).

[ratboy]

What is the difference between Twinview & Dualhead?

They seem to work exactly the same way to me.

If I have the option of DvD on 2nd monitor or a card that will be able to run the latest games then unfortunately it will be Ati.

Will still wait and read the reviews of the Ati before deciding. I would really like to get the P but I don't want outdated technology straight away.

[Jacco Hoeve]

Wow .. keep on topic people .. I am not using more then one monitor .. perhaps later on I might do something with a TV though.

[The PIT]

What will you be using the machine for? Mainly gaming or serious work.

[Jacco Hoeve]

Usage:

Internet, regular office apps.. some DTP apps. Video playback (mpeg).. TV out .. And some games like fifa soccer .. I am not a game freak but I like some games. And I'd like my PC to be capable to do it ..

[Dogbert]

Originally posted by Jacco Hoeve
Usage:

Internet, regular office apps.. some DTP apps. Video playback (mpeg).. TV out

Nothing can touch [M]atrox for these.

[Jacco Hoeve]

Nothing can touch [M]atrox for these.

What about MPEG? Does the parhelia have as much MPEG support as ATi does? How about on the second monitor? Or is that DVD-Max? And can that be DVD Max be used for TV-out?

I am tempted..

[Cobos]

Jacco, the Parhelia doesn't have as much MPEG acceleration as the ATI does, but does it really matter ? You said you were getting a new computer, and as long as you are not getting a PII 500Mhz whatever CPU you get will easily run DVD and MPEG4 without even noticing...

Cobos

[Jacco Hoeve]

Jacco, the Parhelia doesn't have as much MPEG acceleration as the ATI does, but does it really matter ? You said you were getting a new computer, and as long as you are not getting a PII 500Mhz whatever CPU you get will easily run DVD and MPEG4 without even noticing...

Its value for many I am concerned for on that bit.
ATI is better for DVD/MPG..

TV-out is probably untested.. oh well

[Dogbert]

ATI has Mpeg acceleration ?

They have IDCT and MC. As far as I know, P has MC but not IDCT.
Anyway, software IDCT gives better quality (with a good cpu) than hardware IDCT.

DVD-MAX means you can see movies (Mpeg, Divx and propably other codecs as well) full screen on your 2nd monitor (TV included).

[Jacco Hoeve]

Thanks dogbert..

Ok so except for the price the Matrox is good cause I dont play too many games.. ?!

Conclusion: I need to P? I meant: I need a P ..