Card for GIS Work

GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
edited June 2004 in Hardware
I'll be starting a research assistantship soon, and I want to submit a proposal for the new computer that is going to be bought. Does anyone know a good card to use for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) work? 2D is paramount over 3D.

I've read some reviews at parts sites and I've heard good things about the more powerful ATI cards due to their color and 2d detail. A Matrox card would probably be best, followed by a 3dlabs card, but I'm not sure they're worth twice the price. Dual (or triple) monitors probably isn't in the budget, so isn't really a considering factor. Right now I'm leaning towards a 9800 Pro. Right now I do GIS on a Rage 128. Bleh!

I've set up a Newegg wish list for it: http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=772358

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    Dude... For any serious 2D work, you want a Matrox Parhelia.

    End of story. :)

    If you can't budget for the Parhelia, at least get the P750.
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    I wonder how big the difference in draw rate would be between a 9800Pro, 750, Parhelia 128mb, and a Parhelia 256mb? I mean, ArcMap does RUN on an old Rage 128 (just not fantastically well). It's a lot easier to notice 3d differences - I'm not used to buying a 2D card :)
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    Parhelia. Very much agreed with Prime.
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Well crud. The powers that be want to stick to an OEM for simplicity's sake. And I think Dell may be the only choice. What I really wanted was an AMD processor, a WD Raptor, a DVD +/- RW, and a Parhelia. The only one of those things that Dell has is the Raptor (at least in the category I was looking in). How irritating. I can get an AMD and a DVD +/- from HP, maybe I can talk the IT person into that...

    Anybody know any major OEM's that carry Parhelias?

    It just sucks that they're willing to spend twice as much just for simplicity's sake. Now I know how the OEMs stay afloat in the age of Newegg :(
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