videocard for linux

[vorador]

My old power supply just fried my fx 5200 and I need a replacement. I need a card with good linux drivers because I regularly use both windows and linux. I need recommendations, I don't want to spend too much money and my current choices are a Radeon 9600 pro, an fx 5700, an fx5600, and a geforce4 4200.

The most demmanding game I play is C&C Generals, which I noticed needed more than my 5200 could provide. I am not sure but my fx 5200 might have been running at 64-bit instead of 128-bit. I don't mind playing at low resolutions (800x600) for better performance. I do know that I am also going to play Morrowind and Halo in the near future.

I use an Athlon XP 2500+ with 512MB of PC2700 ram running on a Shuttle MN31N Nforce2 motherboard.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[coolsquirtle]

FX5700Ultra period.

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[Ris3n_Da3mon]

As much as i hate to, I have to agree, Nvidia has superior linux support

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Hate is a strong word...you must live your life through the internet. Sad.

<b>Play MotoGP 2</b>
<A HREF="http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/bc/3f8c6371_13d5d/bc/My+Documents/Misc./Moto1.jpg?BCPbQ1_AN7ObvsBt" target="_new">http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/bc/3f8c6371_13d5d/bc/My+Documents/Misc./Moto1.jpg?BCPbQ1_AN7ObvsBt</A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Another vote for FX5700 Ultra

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[simwiz2]

The 5700, by far. 5600 is based on the failed NV30 and will likely be much slower in many current/future games.

 

[vorador]

It's nice to see that Nvidia is still number 1 in driver support, even while ATI and Nvidia are fighting like dogs on the hardware front. But the ultra is a little expensive. What do you guys think about the non ultra 5700? Maybe a 5600 ultra?

 

[Spitfire_x86]

nVidia is still better for Linux drivers. But for Windows drivers, ATI has been better since last R9700 PRO launch.

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[vorador]

I just did some reading, and I had failed to notice that 5700 is a rehashed 5600 ultra. (Sorry for not getting it sooner simwiz2). So I guess a 5700 is comming my way.

Regarding the driver issue, and just to avoid any conflicts, it is my understanding that ATI windows drivers are just as good as NVIDIA's.

Thank you all for your help. Needless to say, if anyone has any more suggestions, post them. I am gonna wait a couple of days to make my purchase anyway.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by vorador on 12/08/03 10:07 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[silverpig]

R9600 Pro. ATI's support isn't as good as nvidia's, but it's still really easy to set up. I got my 9800 Pro set up in linux with little to no problems. Just install the drivers (rpm or whatever, I used emerge under gentoo), and then run fglrxconfig to generate the XF86Config-4 file. Copy that into /etc/X11/ and restart your X server. No problems.

silverpig@dirac silverpig $ glxgears
20617 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4123.400 FPS
21209 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4241.800 FPS
20332 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4066.400 FPS
22611 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4522.200 FPS
22624 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4524.800 FPS
22715 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4543.000 FPS
22424 frames in 5.0 seconds = 4484.800 FPS

Quake 3 runs 1600x1200 at 120 fps with high quality sound enabled.

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[vorador]

Just when things were looking a little simpler......
I guess it's going to be a showdown between 5700 and 9600pro. It will probably come down to price, because all the game benchmarks I have seen show these 2 cards virtually tied.

By the way, silverpig, do ATI's software video optimizations work on linux as well?

 

[silverpig]

I wish I could tell you for sure. I'll check the ati site to see what I can find for you. Video looks great though, as good as windows for sure, so I'm gonna say yes for now.

Actually, getting this card running under linux was easier for me than getting my old GF2 GTS running. With nvidia, you have to install (or compile + install) a kernel driver, and install a glx driver. Then you have to generate an XF86Config file and change the driver from "nv" to "nvidia" and un comment the # load "glx" line. Then you have to reboot. IIRC with my ATI it was just

# emerge ati-drivers
# fglrxconfig
# cp XF86Config-4 /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
# insmod fglrxconfig

then a ctrl + backspace to kill the xserver and startx to get it going again.

Of course the insmod and the kill/restart of X can be avoided with a reboot as that's all done automatically, but whatever

It was actually the easiest piece of hardware to get running properly. I had to guess a lot at which kernel modules to enable for my nic card (mainly due to me being lazy and not looking it up), and sound was a royal PITA (check my thread in the linux section if you wanna know more about that).

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[coolsquirtle]

why the extra work. nVidia will provide u with everything u need in a setup.exe

as for 5700, it's a brand new chip, not an upgrade from FX5600. It's probably the best chip nVidia had come up with recently. Instead of causing ur self trouble setting up an ATi card, just get a nVidia and it'll make ur life alot easier.

Also Spitfire, do u mind explain how the 52.16 and 53.03 are worse than the dreadful Cat 3.8 and 3.9s. Have u even try these drivers?

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[Johanthegnarler]

Who needs support? We have forums.

p4 2.8 533fsb
intel mobo
1gb rdram pc 800
radeon9800 pro
120gb seagate s-ata

 

[silverpig]

Heh good point. I got my ati driver support direct from gentoo, and my soundblaster support from some open source guys (not creative). Come to think of it, I've never really emailed a hardware vendor for support. If I can't find it on their website, I google it.

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[BirdRobin]

Yeah! We RULE.

B|rD[RoB|n]

 

[vorador]

I am down to 3 candidates, so I am asking you all for recommendations.

1- Powercolor radeon 9600 pro 128mb
2- Leadtek 5700 128mb
and the dark horse of this race
3- Abit 4200 OTES

The only reason I have the OTES in the list is because I have a MATX case, and I think it would really help with my case cooling. The noise is not a big problem because I have a spare fan controller I can use.

 

[BirdRobin]

i have the powercolour R9600pro... its not bad on my small case... the cooling solution is quite good... This is my recommendation. See more reviews and try to decide for urself, coz its finally ur decision anyway... Cheers. =)

B|rD[RoB|n]

 

[kinney]

ATI provides basic 2D support in linux on the 9000 and up cards (basically same as using the VESA driver) but 3D they leave to the users to figure out... I suppose they do this so they dont have to support it once they make it..
NV has everything done for ya though... if you havent checked out all the OSs they support go to the nvidia page... its enormous!
Its one thing to have that much support, another for it to be as good as they are at it.

----
I just tell it like it is and some can't handle it. If your experience is different, well congratu-fukulation.
<b>I’M NOT A ATI FANBOY, I’M NOT A NV FANBOY, I’M A STABILITY FANBOY</b>

 

[kinney]

Read my reply to CoolS for my opinion.. but I'd go with the 4200, I just ordered one to replace my 9800pro.
NV driver support is better for OSs as you know, and the support is better. ATI only has WinXP/2000 support, I'm not sure they even support 98 for the new cards. Let alone linux.
My GF3 plays Morrowind great at 1024x768 and with details up.
If you want to stay away from ATI go with either the 4200 for $80 or the 5900 non ultra for about $200.

I have a mentality similar to yours, I dont mind playing at a lower res or lowering the details.. (tho even my GF3 never forced me to lower the settings @1024x768 in any game I remember using on it)

In fact I even enjoy trying to get older hardware to play newer stuff!
I had my voodoo1 on a P133 playing Q3A@ 30fps with some careful optimizing.
That hobby is harder, and saves you lots of money!

This is what I <A HREF="http://www.gameve.com/gve/store/productdetails.aspx?sku=VC-GA-001" target="_new">ordered</A>. It looks pretty good!

Good luck on your purchase

----
I just tell it like it is and some can't handle it. If your experience is different, well congratu-fukulation.
<b>I’M NOT A ATI FANBOY, I’M NOT A NV FANBOY, I’M A STABILITY FANBOY</b>

 

[BirdRobin]

whao... it looks cool... i love red.

Who is from singapore? I am.

 

[silverpig]

WTF are you all on crack? ATI has linux support. Go to their website and check it out. Linux is listed right there, along with a list of drivers for each card for numerous versions of XFree.

The ati drivers are very easy to install. They are certainly not difficult enough to warrant avoiding their products.

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[kinney]

I read on their site they provide 2D linux support only.
Link me to where they offer any 3d support.

I'm looking at it <A HREF="http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html" target="_new">here</A>... and thats 2D support only to my knowledge.. which doesnt mean much..and only for the 8500 and up.
NV offers full linux support for almost everything they've ever produced, back to the original TNT.

there are 3rd party 3d linux drivers (i think) but its not the same as ATI just doing it themselves like Nvidia does.

edit- and no im not 'wtf'-on crack because I think ATI doesnt have good linux support... no need to get so worked up..

----
I just tell it like it is and some can't handle it. If your experience is different, well congratu-fukulation.
<b>I’M NOT A ATI FANBOY, I’M NOT A NV FANBOY, I’M A STABILITY FANBOY</b><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by kinney on 12/10/03 04:54 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[kinney]

Actually I canceled it and got <A HREF="http://leadtek.com/3d_graphic/winfast_a280_letdh_1.html" target="_new">this one</A> for $91 shipped!!!
Much better HS (covers the ram) and an extra 64mb of mem for $10 more... plus its not the slow memory they have put on the 128mb GFs in the past.
Oh and it has the good tv out (1024x768.. usually only ATI boards have those good encoder chips) and the DVI... for a measly 10bucks more over my first choice...(!)

----
I just tell it like it is and some can't handle it. If your experience is different, well congratu-fukulation.
<b>I’M NOT A ATI FANBOY, I’M NOT A NV FANBOY, I’M A STABILITY FANBOY</b>

 

[shadus]

I'd suggest the 4200 or 5700. I run several linux machines at home and work and really prefer nvidia under linux (using gentoo and slack.)

Shadus