Why are Matrox cards so expensive?

[ShawnD1]

Why are they so expensive? Do they have special features like the ATI All In Wonder or something?

[daveleau]

No, they just can't compete in the gaming market. If they continued on the road they were on a little while ago, they are much better than the ATi or NVidia cards for graphic design (2D). Maybe they are carrying that market. Their cards are no where near as good as ATi or NVidia in the gaming market though.

Depends one the model you referencing. You are not only paying for the excellent hardware engineering, you are paying for Matrox's superb driver and technical support.

Matrox is currently moving more towards professional class graphics cards, thus competitive consumer pricing is no longer a priority, as Matrox makes its money via markup on lower sale quantities.

Matrox support is perhaps the best in the graphics business, especially in regards to commerical use of its products.

Robert Richmond

[Kruzin]

No perhaps about it.
Matrox's support is undoubtedly the best around.
Nobody else runs a public forums where you WILL get a personal reply from a highly knowledgable tech (often within minutes of posting).
And their drivers are generally rock solid.
And their products are made of the highest quality parts and production specs.

They absolutley rule the 2D desktop, and I would use nothing less for my CAD work.
Thier multi-monitor support is years ahead of the rest.

Matrox cards have always been priced on the high end. My first 2+2meg Millennium1 was a $500 card in it's day.

In the end, Matrox cards hold their value better than anyone else's cards. A used 4 year old G400Max can still bring a higher price than last years GF or Radeon cards.

Wouldn't want to forget the quality offered by the Matrox RT series of multimedia products, as they are often regarded as the best available by the vast majority of review publications.

Even to this day, I can not find a reason to replace my G-450 eTV for 2D graphics and light multimedia work.

[Kruzin]

And if you think their 'mainstream' cards are expensive, check out their new line of specialty (GIS/military/medical) cards

http://shopmatrox.com/usa/products/c...ID=75&Column=2

Kruzin, do you have any expereince with Matrox networking products?

The only products I have not used over the years from Matrox are the networking series, but the clearance pricing for many networking products at the Matrox Shop is quite tempting, especially for the repeaters and hubs.

Robert Richmond

[Brangwen]

. . . check one out if you can!

I have been a Matrox card fan since my G450 Millennium. I don't think I paid much for it, though the next model I bought was pricey if I were to think about it in simplistic dollars and cents. Absolutely incredible for 2D graphics, driver and sw upgrades and desktop expansion. After having used Matrox (now using the Parhelia), I see no reason to try another card. No reason, except curiosity I suppose. I just get the card and enjoy it, knowing it's going to work.

So to answer the question: Matrox cards are expensive because you buy it, use it, enjoy it and forget it. No worries and plenty of satisfaction.

Brangwen

[jacko49]

Did anyone ever tried to call ati 1-800 # ? They don't have one!!,and they want you to call their 1-900 # as the only way to "talk" to the rep. for tech.( email accepted)
tec support is worth the extra + pro quality.

[Xeroid]

The Video Card in my box has been a Matrox G550 for 3 years. I don't game and the kids have their own PC. I wouldn't change it for anything. Super 2D graphics and good support for Linux.