Matrox Parhelia128 implements innovative features

1 Feb, 2003 By: Ron LaFon

With Matrox’s Parhelia128, you can drive three separate monitors with the company’s Surround Design technology.

We first looked at the Matrox Parhelia128 in our last roundup of graphic cards, but the drivers were still in beta and in the process of being optimized. Since that time, Matrox released two drivers and added more application-specific optimizations.

Matrox has long been noted for its 2D capabilities, but the 3D performance has improved enough to bring the $399 Parhelia128 in line with other midrange or entry-level graphics cards, though overall OpenGL performance remains weak. As requested by Matrox, we ran the MaxBench 4 benchmark under discreet's 3ds max 5 using DirectX in addition to OpenGL, as we normally do. Though performance figures were good, we'd like to see significantly better OpenGL support from this graphics card. This would benefit CAD and design professionals who depend on OpenGL performance as well as those who have independent applications that rely heavily on OpenGL.

The Parhelia128 offers many innovative features. Perhaps the most interesting is the ability to drive three monitors simultaneously, which Matrox calls Surround Design. This ability offers wraparound monitors for an immersive experience for games or the Windows desktop. For example, you can have one monitor open for design work, one for collaboration tools, and another for e-mail. Additional features include the bundled AEC/VIZ visualization tool by Tornado Technologies and Matrox PrecisionCAD drivers for AutoCAD. Motion graphics, animation, and visualization creators will benefit from the WYSIWYG plug-ins for both Adobe After Effects and discreet 3ds max.

In addition to the Parhelia128, Matrox now offers the Parhelia256, a 256MB version of the graphics card, for an estimated street price of $599. For specific 3D application support, check the Matrox support grid at www.matrox.com/ mga/start/3dws.cfm.

Though not the fastest of graphics cards for design professionals, the Matrox Parhelia's many innovative features, including Surround Design, can make it a useful addition to the work environment.

About the Author: Ron LaFon

AutoCAD Tips!

Lynn Allen

Autodesk Technical Evangelist Lynn Allen guides you through a different AutoCAD feature in every edition of her popular "Circles and Lines" tutorial series. For even more AutoCAD how-to, check out Lynn's quick tips in the Cadalyst Video Gallery. Subscribe to Cadalyst's Tips & Tricks Tuesdays free e-newsletter and we'll notify you every time a new video tip is available. All exclusively from Cadalyst!
Follow Lynn on Twitter

Latest News from Cadalyst Partners

Feed
Autodesk Gallery Powers of Design Exhibit: 10**24 The Local Supercluster 19 Jun, 2013

I work out of our office on One Market Street in San Francisco. My standup-desk is right across from our Gallery at One Market. One of our newer...More>>Read more It's Alive in the Lab blog posts>>

Feed
Tech Toys 360: Pro-Form Le Tour de France Bike 18 Jun, 2013

The greatest bike race in the world is held June 19 to July 21 this year. Celebrating its 100th year, the Tour de France sends riders through more...More>>Read more PTC Creo blog posts>>

Feed
Update 3 now available for Revit 2013 Products - Revit Clinic 18 Jun, 2013

Feed
Nice Design—What Does It Feel Like? 17 Jun, 2013

Feed
LiveMap: The Augmented Reality Motorcycle Helmet of the Future? 18 Jun, 2013

Philippe Starck once famously said that there should be no cars on the road—-only motorcycles. While some soccer moms may disagree, his theory...More>>Read more SolidSmack blog posts>>

Poll

How many years' experience do you have using CAD software?

	Less than two years
	2–5 years
	6–10 years
	11–20 years
	21+ years

FREE Resources for CAD, BIM, and PLM Users