Next Version Of Parhelia

[Tempest]

Originally posted by VigilAnt
I am merely bringing the info I have into the open. You can either take it or leave it.

And we thank you for that, even bad news is better than no news at all. We really like Matrox products and want to know what they're up to.

This new 64 meg Parhelia seems something of a bummer to me... It might have some potential to become a card for graphics workstations though, but the price is too high for that. Another target group might be people that want Matrox quality but haven't been able to afford the Parhelia. I'm just afraid that the ones of these that do not do their research might buy one and then go around whining about the speed and asking why they can't enable FAA...

[VJ]

Despite the things I read here, I'm still seriously considering the purchase of a Parhelia (the 128 MB version). (I intend to use it in a computer used in combination with a digital camera, and - while a triplehead -setup is probably too expensive initially - dualhead, superb 2D quality and stable drivers (and great support)are my main issues.) I do agree with you that the choices made for the 64MB version seem a bit strange, but perhaps the 64MB does suffice to use triplehead (in 2D)...? (you'd miss out on surround gaming, but let's not forget there are a lot of people that don't use their system for gaming)

But I just had a weird thought : if they "cripple" the 64 MB version, is there no chance they "improve" the 256 MB version ? (comments on this should probabely go in the crystal ball)


Jörg

[VigilAnt]

Originally posted by VJ
Despite the things I read here, I'm still seriously considering the purchase of a Parhelia (the 128 MB version). (I intend to use it in a computer used in combination with a digital camera, and - while a triplehead -setup is probably too expensive initially - dualhead, superb 2D quality and stable drivers (and great support)are my main issues.) I do agree with you that the choices made for the 64MB version seem a bit strange, but perhaps the 64MB does suffice to use triplehead (in 2D)...? (you'd miss out on surround gaming, but let's not forget there are a lot of people that don't use their system for gaming)

But I just had a weird thought : if they "cripple" the 64 MB version, is there no chance they "improve" the 256 MB version ? (comments on this should probabely go in the crystal ball)


Jörg

As of now, it looks like there will be no 256 MB version...but this could change.

I do know that the 256 version was being worked on and was scheduled to be released. It was going to be a total revision of Parhelia including several fixes, but it would appear this may not happen at all.

VigilAnt

[VJ]

Ah... oops...

Well, I remember my G200 was succeeded quite fast by the G400, so somehow I'm still hoping Matrox pulls off something like that again...


Jörg

[Wienerschnitzl]

Originally posted by VigilAnt

As of now, it looks like there will be no 256 MB version...but this could change.

I do know that the 256 version was being worked on and was scheduled to be released. It was going to be a total revision of Parhelia including several fixes, but it would appear this may not happen at all.

VigilAnt

Well, i don´t hope for that to change, i want it to change !

Get the card out , &%§# !!!
Pleeeaaase...don´t you want my Monex, Matrox ?

[knirfie]

well, my guess is that this 64mb version is not really targetted at the gamers, but more at the workstations as an mms card. it is a little on the pricy side for that though. maybe they'll also release a 64mb version with the clockspeeds of the 128mb and without tripplehead for casual gamers (hopefully around the €200).

[Kuba2k]

I'm little bit confused. Parhelia can be compared with other current product only with anebled FSA. If they remove it, there is not any reason to buy so expensive card.

VigilAnt: Please, try to write better news for tomorow

[AndrewDV]

I'd buy it if they lowered the price and offered the TV-DOS features of the G400. I think it would be really good for a HTPC.

[3dcgi]

Originally posted by DGhost
mmm, gotta love it when a companies idiotic decisions and refusal to embrace a new market results in them getting their asses kicked in their own market...

I don't think Matrox is refusing to enter the gaming market. Parhelia just isn't fast enough for the price. I'd be interested to know how much the chip and board actually costs.

[diewlei]

this is really sad news for loyal supporters who still clinged on to their diminishing hopes. i sincerely hope ppl who make decisions there in matrox (esp. the persons who set the prices and decide the crippled features) to open their eyes and look at what EVERYBODY else in the graphics world are doing.

[iampedro]

Matrox needs to make it cheaper..

[DGhost]

Originally posted by 3dcgi


I don't think Matrox is refusing to enter the gaming market. Parhelia just isn't fast enough for the price. I'd be interested to know how much the chip and board actually costs.

acctually i was refering to the workstation/professional market, which has slowly started to become the consumer market... a GeForce is pretty much the same thing as a Quadro... just different drivers... and many people don't care that much... and a $200 video card versus a $400 or $800, even if they do have certified drivers...



on the bright side, i'm glad i didn't wait until the 256MB Parhelia... we may not see anything like that until the next revision/core version... which may be quite a while....

[Xplora]

I think the decision to keep triplehead and remove FAA makes sense for the 64mb version in light of the OEM market, assuming that FAA is a very expensive feature to have on the card. However, at 250 US its still too damn expensive for the power you get.

The marketing department hasn't done its homework, and they are going to kill the company at this rate. They simply don't have enough raw speed in 3D to try and pull this rubbish, after all, NVidia and ATI are working hard on Dualhead themselves, its only a matter of time. I'd say NVidia will have awesome 3D and 2D dualhead within a year, Matrox's slow revision cycle will kill them by then.

[thop]

oh my ... 250$ for a crippled parhelia? this P64 is basically a G400 on stereoids with TH. this itself is not so bad, many people were looking for a card like this. for a price of maybe 100$ though, not 250$. soon the 9500 will be available at a comparable price tag and probably twice as fast.

the future is dark my friends

[ElDonAntonio]

Originally posted by VigilAnt

As of now, it looks like there will be no 256 MB version...but this could change.

I do know that the 256 version was being worked on and was scheduled to be released. It was going to be a total revision of Parhelia including several fixes, but it would appear this may not happen at all.

VigilAnt

I think that a 256 version with fixes and upgrades would be Matrox's only chance. If they throw it away, they are total FOOLS. That 64MB card will get laughed at.

Vigilant, I don't know if your relation to Matrox is read-only, but if you can talk to people there, please convince them of releasing that 256MB card.