Video Card advice needed

[Prancer]

I'm looking for a video card that's good enough to be used for professional applications (i.e.: photoshop, ..etc) and also at the same time play good 3D games. My budget is below $200.00

I've been recommended two cards:
1. Matrox G400 dual head 32MB
2. Elsa Erasor X SDR GeForce 256

What should I go with? Or is there a better card?

Thanks

[JonmaTifa]

If you're going for Photoshop, the your priority is solid 2D. I'm not sure which card has better 2D, either would be alright. Just a question of how much you really want to spend and if you want dual monitors or not.

Anothing is though, if you are going for any amount of gaming, or if are woking with 3DSMax. The GF is faster than the matrox card, so it will make a much better 3DS card and gaming card.

[lost1]

Have you considered a Viper 2? It's reasonably priced ($130-$170 US) and has a $20 rebate.
It has TV Out, hardware DVD playback, hardware T&L (which does indeed work,) and a bunch of other neat stuff. I use Photoshop quite a bit in addition to gaming, and it does both very well. It is not the fastest or baddest card on the market, but for the money I think it represents the best bang-for-buck card out there right now.
There is an excellent Viper 2 review located on the Sysopt homepage that you might want to read if you are interested.
Good luck! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Oracle]

hi no question get the g400 its has the best 2d out of the two (and it smokes the viper) also it has great 3d and its quite cheap too

just my £25

Oracle

[neo_otyugh]

i would say get the geforce sdr. seen as low as $119, the matrox with 32 mes of ram starts about $20 cheaper....but teh geforce is a far superior card in most ways.
oh and that is comparing the single head g400...dual heads are $5 more...

[This message has been edited by neo_otyugh (edited 07-22-2000).]

[Oracle]

in which ways ???? exactly ? the geforce has pure speed true (hey no one disputes that)

but the g400 has:

dual head class
amazing 2d (which is what the guy needs)
good 3d
embm

its all in the math really

laterz oracle

[Oracle]

.

[This message has been edited by Oracle (edited 07-22-2000).]

[Kensw]

Check out 3dfx voodoo3. Very cost effective, and very game compatible. Think it is now $100. Voodoo4 and Voodoo4 are more expensive for more serious gaming.