[NTLUG:Discuss] video card recommendation

[Chris Cox]

Russell Lemburg wrote:
> Agree with Bob.  I've had more problems with ATI than I can take, especially
> because of the open-source drivers.
> EnvyNG is great, especially running a new nVidia card, and it seems like the
> proprietary drivers just work.

Yes and no.  They are dependent on internal kernel structures which
means that they usually have to be recompiled for your kernel... it's
not a big pain... just something else to do.

> 
> GeForce 8500GT is a pretty nice cheap 512 meg card, and it works on my
> machine.  It's about 100 bucks and it handles my 3 screens.
> Plus, SLI is nice to have if you're thinking of running lots of fancy
> stuff.  But like you said, it's general purpose.

For $100, get a 7600GT (which might cost less).  It's about 20%
faster than an 8600GT.... but that's only interesting if you
plan to use accelerated 3d and the proprietary driver.

A used 6600GT might be in the $20 price range... and not much
of a step down... again, only interesting if doing 3D.

As for cards that people don't like... nab a Quadro NVS.. it's
a good solid (very solid) 2D card.... and at least the older
ones should work fine with the "nv" open source driver.  People
hate em because they're not 3d cards (but often times have 3d
acceleration... just not all that good).

I'd buy used.  If you get a used BFG Nvidia card, they're
pretty liberal about their lifetime warranty.  I'd give you
one of mine Ralph... but I fear mine are all AGP.  I do
have a 7600GT that's PCIe, but I think it's broken.

Most ATI's I've dealt with are onboard (e.g. laptop or server).