Re: Semi-Old Video Card Recommendation
On Wed, Jan 21, 2004 at 06:46:37AM -0500, adcarlson@aei.net wrote:
> For awhile ATI was not supporting Linux. They've improved significantly as of
> late.
>
> I highly recommend Nvidia stuff. Excellent Linux support. Matrox is good for
> 2D stuff.
>
> On 20-Jan-2004 Pigeon wrote:
> > On Wed, Jan 21, 2004 at 04:41:59AM +0800, Ryan Mackay wrote:
> >> If you dont choose this chipset i would suggest sticking with nVidia
> >> none the less, they do support Linux (or Xwindows should i say) alot
> >> more/better than other companies.
> >
> > Hmm, I'm constantly advising people NOT to buy nVidia stuff because they
> > are LESS Free-software friendly than other companies. They may provide Linux
> > drivers but they are binary-only. No source code or hardware specs are
> > available, so you're really in the same boat as you are with Windoze.
> >
> > For example, <http://dri.sourceforge.net/dri_status.phtml> lists plenty of
> > ATI support:
> >
> >> ATI
> >>
> >> Supported Chipsets
> >>
> >> * Mach64 (Rage Pro)
> >> * Rage 128 (Standard, Pro, Mobility)
> >> * Radeons up to R9200 are supported
> >>
> >> Important Notes
> >>
> >> * The Radeon naming scheme explained.
> >> * For Radeon PCI support see the FAQ
> >> * Rage Fury Maxx is NOT supported by the DRI.
> >> * The Mach64 (Rage Pro) is undergoing heavy development. To see if your
> >> card is supported check Leif's status page.
> >> * The Radeon seems to have problems with certain early VIA chipsets.
> >> Your best bet is to try and see if it works.
> >>
> >> Example Graphics Cards
> >>
> >> * Rage Fury
> >> * Rage Magnum
> >> * Xpert 2000
> >> * Xpert 128
> >> * Xpert 99
> >> * All-in-Wonder 128
> >
> > but when it comes to NVidia, all we get is:
> >
> >> NVidia
> >>
> >> NVidia provides their own closed source, binary drivers. Hardware specs
> >> are not available to the DRI developers and NVidia cards are therefore
> >> not supported by the DRI.
> >
> > ATI may only release their hardware specs to developers under NDA but that's
> > a lot better than not releasing them at all. At least we get ATI source code.
> >
> > --
> > Pigeon
> >
> > Be kind to pigeons
> > Get my GPG key here:
> > http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x21C61F7F
>
> ---------------------------------------
> Arlen Carlson <arlen@carlsontech.net>
>
> BOFH excuse #439:
>
> Hot Java has gone cold
>
>
> This message was sent by XFmail (Linux)
>
> -o)
> /\\
> _\_v
>
> The penguins are coming...
> the penguins are coming...
> ----------------------------------------
As others have mentioned the battle between ATI and Nvidia has spilt over to Linux.
I think you need to take into account how you use your system, your stance on
Open Source Software. I know some people who will not use any thing that taints a
Linux kernel. While others couldn't care less about the drivers, while still others
have the idea that as long as it works department.
So what it comes down to is what type of user are you, if you don't mind going that
extra little bit to configure you system then Ati might be ok. If you need something
that is easy to setup then Nvidia is a good choice. Lots of time to get Ati working
you need to download the latest XFree86 build, go to certain sites for certain drivers
other such things. While Nvidia you visit their site download their latest driver,
make sure you have kernel-headers and run their script.
Be that as it is, I still give Nvidia a big edge, they also support freeBSD and seem
to understand that users want something that works. Yes it would be nice if both Ati
and Nvidia would open up their drivers. You know what, I have never been without support
of a Nvidia card, it not like they don't support their chipsets.
I really doubt that Ati or Nvidia will release Open Source 3d drivers, despite as much as we
would like them to. Especially with all the patents, cross licenses's that are in some of those
drivers. So for now its like choosing between which is lesser of the two evils.
Rthoreau
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