DOS Days

Matrox Millennium G550

The Millennium G550 was Matrox' new card for 2001, and was more low-profile than cards that came before it, suitable for shallow desktop or micro-tower units.

Released 2001
Bus AGP 4x or 8x
Chipset MGA-G550
Standards Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA
Memory 32 MB 64-bit DDR SDRAM
Ports DVI Out
26-pin VGA Feature connector
RAMDAC 360 MHz
Part # AGP: MGIG55MDDLP32DR or MGI-G55MDDLP32DRF (low-profile)
PCI: G55MDDAP32DB or G55MDDAP32DBF (low-profile)
FCC ID -
Price At launch: $125
See Also Millennium G400, Millennium G450

"With 32 MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory, a 360 MHz primary RAMDAC, and a unique HeadCasting™ Engine accelerating 3D online communication, the Millennium G550 is a titan among graphics cards with trendsetting appeal for the business and home entertainment markets. Comprising an extensive feature set including third-generation DualHead® display capabilities, outstanding 2D performance, and DVI-I support, the Millennium G550 delivers exceptional graphics performance and product stability and ignites a new trend in online communication."

Its core clock ran at 132 MHz with memory clocked at 330 MHz (166 MHz each) due to DDR.

Key features:
 Matrox G550 chip
 32 MB high-speed Double Data Rate (DDR) memory
 UltraSharp 360 MHz RAMDAC
 World's best 2D graphics solutions
 World's best image output quality
 Third-generation DualHead® technology including eDualHead™ browser enhancements
 DVI and Dual DVI* support
 True multi-display support under the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 operating system
 Explosive Windows desktop acceleration
 High Quality DVD-Playback
 HeadCasting™ Engine for hardware-accelerated 3D facial animation
 Bundled HeadCasting™ software for 3D communication
 Unified and WHQL-certified drivers
 Extensive OS support including Windows® 2000, Windows XP, and Linux
 Optimized for latest Intel Pentium III, Pentium 4, AMD Athlon, and AMD Duron platforms

G550 vs Competition
 
  Matrox G550 GeForce2 MX Radeon VE

HeadCasting Engine1
  • 256 constant registers
  • Extended matrix palette skinning with 32 matrices2
  • Acceleration for visual online communication




X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Integrated DVI Dual3 Single Single
Explosive 2D acceleration 4  (416) X (356) X (356)
DualHead® display (or equivalent)


  • True multi-monitor support under Windows 2000
  • Dual integrated RAMDACs
  • Integrated TV-Out
3rd Generation




1st Generation


X
X
X
1st Generation
(No WHQL)

X

eDualHeadTM browser enhancements X X
Best DVD playback on a TV 5  (inc. DVDMax) X X
Pixel pipelines 2 (dual textured) 2 (dual textured) 1 (triple textured)
Environment-Mapped Bump Mapping X
Best analog output quality X X

It was OEM'd by Compaq as part #313435-001.

Matrox also released a Millennium G550 Dual Monitor version with a single DVI out and breakout cable into 2 x 15-pin DSUBs that supported up to two monitors simultaneously.

 

Board Revisions

I have no board revision information for the G550.

 

Competition

 

In the Media


Setting it Up

I have no information on configuring the G550.


Downloads

User Manual
(missing)

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G550 Chip Spec Sheet
-

Original Matrox Millennium G450 specifications sheet.

Original Utility Disk
(missing)

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Video BIOS ROM
(missing)

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More Pictures


A PCI version of the Millennium G550



An AGP Millennium G550 Dual Monitor with breakout cable

 


The original retail box for the G550