@Slynky...

I have read on number of reviews on the Parhelia as well as other current high end cards as well. My reasons for wanting to go with the matrox are fairly simple.

1. Realiability... I have never had a Matrox card fail, and I have been using them sice 1997.

2. 2D Performance... None of the current cards in this class outperform the Matrox. Radion comes close to overall 2D rendering, but still lags behind.

3. TV/Vido Output... According to every review I have read, nothing else comes close.

4. There are a number of features that cannot be fully utilized until Direct X 9 is available. Most reviewers are banking on this increasing the 3D performance of this card and making an exceptional card for gamers too.

If I were into gaming, I would probably consider something else, but the bottom line is that the card does exactly what I need, and for 2D and TV/video work is unmatched.

Last thing... The one I am considering is the 256 MB version :-P