On Thu, Oct 16, 2003 at 10:30:24AM -0700, Ian Truelsen wrote: > I am looking to get a new video card for my desktop (the old Voodoo 3 is > starting to show its age). What I would like to know is which of the big > two nVidia or ATI are better supported under Linux for framebuffer stuff > and for DRI. > > Given the choice between the two, which would you choose for Linux?
Sadly I can't say anything for ATI (I have it on my windows box, never used an ATI card under linux), but can vouch for nVidia. My card is the Ti4200 (with dual output) which runs just fine under the stock nvidia drivers, outputs to dual monitors with the nvidia xinerama setup, and runs quake, etc nice and fast. Probably the best idea would be to go through the forums and look and see what problems are cropping up. Are there lots of posts about getting X/q3/whatever going with nvidia or ATI? Are there posts regarding getting drivers or setup issues? The things you may not like regarding nVidia however: - I have no idea how the new FX cards run or if the drivers are up to date for them. Check the forums, the readme in the nvidia-kernel docs or on the nvidia.com site to check. - The accelarated drivers for nvidia are non-free. If you have issues with propriatory drivers you have to use the 'nv' module under X (not nvidia) which is non-3d-accelarated and not nearly as good (as I understand it). Pros for the nVidia setup (my personal options) - good up to date drivers - haven't had any problems with 3d games or apps - works with 2.6 kernels fine My $0.02 alan -- Alan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - http://arcterex.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- "There are only 3 real sports: bull-fighting, car racing and mountain climbing. All the others are mere games." -- Hemingway -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
