ATI OR Nvidia?

[leadwt]

Hi Kubuntoers

I've decided to upgrade my video card so that I can enjoy Beryl and other 3D stuff. I currently have the ATI Radeon X1300 series card which is not supported re the above.

Does anyone dare recommend what I should/could be looking at?

I'm running AMD64 dual core if that makes any difference?

Thanks for any input - and 'yes' I have looked at the web but as usual I'm totally confused by the amount of information!!

[SheeEttin]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

From what I hear, nVidia is better-supported, and nVidia as a company is friendlier to Linux.

I've only had an ATI card (X1600, same situation as yours), though, so I'm not really qualified to recommend one over the other.

On selecting a card, I suggest Newegg if that's your type of thing. Any unfamiliar terms (e.g. pixel pipelines) can probably be found in one of two sources: Wikipedia and Google.

[DMurray]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

Being an nvidia user, I can fully recommend it. If you spend 1 or 2 hours reading the forums, there will be tons of users having a bad time configuring their 3D desktop or just to get 3D acceleration working.
If you have the choice, then nvidia is ready in the repositories, it's just a matter of downloading and get it running.
Users should put some pressure on ATI, so the company is forced to give a decent support for Linux. Right now users have their hands tied.

[dibl]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I'm real happy with my EVGA Nvidia GF 7900 GS. You can see a Beryl screenshot in the Image Gallery (above). I run a 21" Samsung Syncmaster 1100 in 1600 x 1200 mode. They're just now getting the Linux drivers out for the 8000 series cards -- it may be a little buggy for some models, until the next driver version, but I wouldn't be afraid to buy one. 8)

[Snowhog]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I run a 21" Samsung Syncmaster 1100 in 1600 x 1200 mode.

21" [drool, gasp, wipe mouth!] I'm envious!

[dibl]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

21" [drool, gasp, wipe mouth!] I'm envious!

Yep, it's real nice as long as you never need to move it!

[SheeEttin]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

Heh, I bet. I'm fine with my 15" LCD. I don't have any need for that much space (nor would I like the processing overhead that comes with it).

[lyall]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I work for Iowa Depart of Transportation
2 or 3 time a year we sell old PCs, Laptops, monitors, and etc

We sell the IBM P260 and P270 - 21" monitors for $20
They weight about 80 lbs - CRT

PCs with monitor, keyboard, mice, and power cords - No OS - $60
(M-Pros, NetVistas)
PCs -no hard drive, monitor, keyboard, mice, and power cord _ $10

[leadwt]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

Thanks for the responses - Nvidia it is.

I shall go trawling to find the best deal probably on the 8000 series mentioned above.

Keep 'em coming if you are really hot on a particular card.

(PS I also agree about the ATI lack of support for Linux - a good reason not to support them I reckon.)

[kubicle]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I concur that nvidia is a safer bet, with ati it's often a gamble.

Some (older) ati cards run exceptionally well with the open source 'radeon' driver, though

[dibl]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

If I were buying one ....


Bargain Price = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062

Good Performance for the Price = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

If Price Were No Object = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150173

[SheeEttin]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I don't need to look at specs to see what that card's like... its appearance says it all. (I can't imagine the heat generation!)

[DMurray]

Re: ATI OR Nvidia?

I would rather go to a card which has 256bit of memory bandwidth. Those are: 7800GS, 7900GS, 8800 (all). The 7800 and 7900 are available in both AGP and PCIe, in case you need an AGP card.
But regardless of what you pick, just don't forget to write a short email to ATI saying that you moved to nVidia because of better Linux support.
I greatly encourage everyone moving from ATI to do that, this is the only way to have the company giving more attention to Linux, otherwise, nVidia cards can get pricey if they are the only ones to provide support for this OS. This, of course, is a plus.