David: I agree that the Matrox Millennium is the one to beat if the objective is the high-end slots among the volume OEM accounts. I am no Millennium expert, but its use of WRAM improves block move operations, a considerable advantage in Windows testing. Display clarity is very good. They're 3D is at the low-end of the performance spectrum. They're bundled software gets mid to high marks. Their driver development gets ultra high marks (the do a great deal of profiling to focus R&D on optimizing op codes that are most used). They're in-house manufacturing of board-level product gives them a great margin advantage when battling for OEMs or shelf space.
The Imagine-8 uses conventional VRAM. Display clarity is unmatched. The 3D is at the low-end of the spectrum. Bundled software deserves low to mid marks. IMHO driver development doesn't get the attention it should. Manufacturing is all out of house.
Conclusion...it's almost a wash, but Matrox wins out due to lower pricing and higher performance.
In vertical markets, Matrox wins hands-down. Where Number Nine has a weak value-added reseller program (for those specialized vertical applications), Matrox throws bodies at the verticals...and has a deep technology archive to borrow from. Their products span CAD, non-linear video editing, image processing and mainstream GUI.
For I3 to win the high-end-mainstream channel, NINE must get really serious about the VAR channel, as well as ensure that the silicon is well-supported with optimized drivers for NT, W97, OpenGL and whatever MS latest 3D api happens to be. Incidently, there are a hoard of 3D specific chips from Lockheed-Intel, Rendition, 3Dfx, 3DLabs...etc.
Thanks for asking, but what do I know,heh?
Will in Santa Cruz |
