Graphics Card & Matrox TripleHead2Go

[mwcovey]

My "Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital" problems have been solved. The problem was the Nvidia 8500GT graphics card that came preinstalled in my Gateway GM5474. Even though the 8500GT is on the Matrox compatibility list, my Matrox absolutely DID NOT WORK with the Gateway preinstalled 8500GT.

Upon removing this 8500GT, I noticed several odd things about it. (1) it didn't look like the advertised pictures of an 8500GT; (2) it had no identifying marks or logos on it, no Nvidia, no PNY, no 8500GT; (3) it had a different output arrangement than the advertised units. But, it did show as an Nvidia 8500GT on my device drivers list.

I installed a new (store-bought) Nvidia 8800GTS card. Now my Matrox works beautifully. It's AWESOME in Flight Sim X !

Lesson learned: There must be odd variations out there of certain graphics cards. Users be advised.

[Bob Reed]

Nvidia does not make graphics cards, they make chip sets. The companies like EVGA PNY ext.. Buy the chips from Nvidia and put them in thier cards. GateWay, Dell ext buy there products on a bid system and yup low bid gets the sale. So you have no idea who actually built the card that came in it. So yes, there are huge variants in the cards from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[mwcovey]

Nvidia does not make graphics cards, they make chip sets. The companies like EVGA PNY ext.. Buy the chips from Nvidia and put them in thier cards. GateWay, Dell ext buy there products on a bid system and yup low bid gets the sale. So you have no idea who actually built the card that came in it. So yes, there are huge variants in the cards from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Thanks for this info Bob. I didn't know that, perhaps others don't realize it either. I just assumed that if Gateway says it's an Nvidia 8500GT, AND my device driver says it's an Nvidia 8500GT, than doggone it, that's what it SHOULD be. What good is a compatibility list if all these odd variants are out there?

[Michael Carter]

It's usually best not to order any high-end anything if you are buying an off-the-shelf computer from anyone except specialty (gaming) computer manufacturers.

I read about this going on with the major players at Falcon Northwest. That is one of the few companies I would trust to buy an FS computer from.

With the others, you never know what you're getting.