Matrox Graphics, a supplier of graphics solutions for niche markets, this month quietly unveiled its new lineup of graphics cards that can boast with fanless cooling system and low power consumption. Unfortunately, the new Matrox Millennium P690-series graphics boards are based on five years old Parhelia technology and do have proper drivers for Microsoft Windows Vista.
The new Matrox Millennium P690-series graphics cards are available in several form factors for PCI Express x16 or PCI bus, offer 12W or less power consumption and can drive two monitors using DVI interconnection. Specially designed Millennium P690 Plus graphics cards can also drive up to four monitors using special a Quad-HD15 cable upgrade cable.
Regretfully, the new Millennium P690-series does not bring any innovations besides support for DDR2 memory. The novelty is based on the Matrox Parhelia LX technology, which features two pixel pipelines, does not support pixel shader 2.0 and therefore is not compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista Aero interface. In addition, the new graphics boards do not feature any type of hardware high-definition video acceleration or post-processing and will hardly find a place in a PC outside offices.
Unfortunately, Matrox Graphics also decided not to redevelop drivers specifically for Windows Vista, as a result, end-users will have to use the so-called XDDM drivers for Vista, which virtually means using Windows XP drivers. Nevertheless, Matrox claims that this is not a drawback, but an advantage.
?The P690-series is a redesign of the popular P650 Series graphics cards, combining new 90nm chip design and DDR2 memory technology with our rock-solid unified drivers. As a result, the P690-series is an ideal choice for professionals looking for low power consumption and a long production life, without the risk of unproven drivers,?said Alan Vandenbussche, vice president of sales and marketing for Matrox Graphics.
The Matrox Millennium P690 Series graphics cards will be available in October, and list at the following prices:
- P690 PCIe x16 128MB ?$199
- P690 PCI 128MB ?$199
- P690 LP PCIe x16 128MB ?$249
- P690 LP PCIe x1 128MB ?249
- P690 Plus LP PCIe x16 ?256MB $289
- P690 Plus LP PCI 256MB ?$289
- Quad-monitor upgrade cable (CAB-L60-4XAF) ?$99
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