The Matrox G400 is not bad. The more Ranm the better of course, so go for the best spec you can afford. I use my PC mainly for standard stuff- using Office, web design, plus 3d graphics, with the occasional excursion into games. I've had one for a while. It is pretty reliable and has performed to spec according to my needs. I rarely have problems getting Max to render something in a reasonable time and I'm only operating a p3 800 with 350MB Ram at the moment, so you'd probably expect an inferior graphics card too be an obstacle, but it isn't, so it's ipso facto not an inferior graphics card

If you've got a previously poor graphics card, you will probably find this a massive improvement in any case. It seems to work pretty well wioth 3d Studio Max, Flash, PhotoShop. It's obviously better to get a more expensive card if your budget runs to it - if you work for a corporate with ever-open pockets. Otherwise, it's reasonable value for money. It's easy to set up/,. I had to go online to get Win2k drivers when I got mine but they should be supplied with it now.
Pretty expensive of course, but then PC graphics card tech always is. If you are just looking for a games card, I can't help much. It makes agoos job of Deus Ex machina nads Black and White but I'm not sure about Quake or similar fast frame changing demanding games