Video Card: Matrox Parhelia Review :: Introduction

About five or six years ago, the graphic market leaders were a lot different than they are today. ATI, 3DFx, S3, Cirrus Logic, and Matrox were on top. Matrox had the power on both CAD and the desktop markets. Its color and 2D quality was incomparable. 3D gaming was not so hot and 3dfx was coming on with its first add-on magic, the "Voodoo".

3D gaming changed the face of the graphics market. Only one of the manufacturers did not want to follow the hype. According to Matrox, the majority the market was not gamers, it was internet browsers and office users. Since that time they have tried to maintain their unique signal and color quality features while ignoring the 3D market. They reduced the cost using single chip integration. They developed dual-head technology, and other manufacturers are still trying to reach the features and quality of Matrox's dual-head display.

Matrox made a mistake in ignoring the 3D gaming market. 3D did become the driving force in the video card market. NVIDIA took advantage of this and rode it all the way to the top. ATI played its cards both on the consumer desktop and 3D Market.

Years passed by and only 2D and color quality enthusiasts or some professionals stayed excited about Matrox. When they tried to change their card to any card other than Matrox, they immediately noticed the lack of 2D quality. Colors were not as good and the images were not as crisp as they were used to. I have heard this story numerous times. But when they would like to buy a new 3D game, the Matrox card could not handle it.

So enough history, Matrox has decided to get into the 3D game, and with even better 2D quality and tri-monitor support. Matrox is back.