Graphic Cards: Problems and Limitations

While the software screenshots show you the largest possible resolution, getting to this point was not really an easy manner. Matrox has advertised the fact, that the TripleHead2Go Digital is capable of 5040 x 1050 resolution, using a Dual-Link capable graphic card. The truth is a bit more complex. If you look at the compatibility list found on Matrox Website, you will see a lot of small print. These are certain requirements and limitations.

Some of the biggest points are:

• ATI cards, no matter how modern, will max out at 1440 x 900 per connected display
• With certain Intel GPUs running Windows 2000 and XP, modes above 2560 x 1024 (2x 1280 x 1024) will only be available only in 16bpp. ATI and Nvidia GPUs support the maximum resolution under XP and Vista in 32bpp.
• HD 3800 and 4800 Series do not support multi-monitor gaming modes with Crossfire

So you have to watch out as to what hardware you will use. The TripleHead2Go Digital was powered by two GeForce 9800 GTXs during the review and a GeForce GTX 260 towards the end of the reviewing process, simply to be able to try every aspect of the GXM module at full resolution.

During this review process, I reinstalled Windows Vista and was suddenly faced with the problem that every NVIDIA GPU, no matter which one, did not allow me to run the full 5040 x 1050 resolution, even though the Matrox site mentioned full compatibility. Suddenly even the two 9800 GTX did not manage the resolution after a fresh install. I tried various cards, from low-end 8400 GS, to an 8600 GT, a 9600 GT, the two 9800 GTX and finally the GTX 260. None wanted to work at full resolution.

Turns out that Matrox is not to blame here. It seems like NVIDIA has dropped support for this resolution in their latest drivers. Backtracking from the very latest 180 series ForceWare, I managed to pin point the latest driver which allowed me to run the 5040 x 1050 resolution.

The 177.35 ForceWare Vista drivers for the GTX 260 are not only the first for the new 200 series GPUs, it is also the only one capable of the triple widescreen resolution. This means that you won't be able to make use of driver related benefits. Seems like NVIDIA really dropped the ball here.

To help counter some of these limitations, Matrox has released a fix in PowerDesk-SE 2.04, that will allow you achieve your desired triple widescreen resolutions under Windows XP. It can be downloaded from the
Matrox website. At the time of writing this review, Windows Vista is still not capable of displaying the maximum resolution of 5040 x 1050, as NVIDIA has yet to add the resolution to their latest drivers. Matrox is keeping an eye out on this and is working with NVIDIA to resolve the issue.