Nvidia vs. VIA and Radeon vs. GeForce

mandolin · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Sweden

I'm going to buy a new computer and would like it to be Linux-friendly. As I understand it, video devices, on-board sound chips and NIC:s are the potentially the most problematic. For example, running Debian on my current computer I have problems with getting my on-board sound chip to work properly. I'm sure it's possible to fix somehow, but I'd prefer to buy as "problem free" hardware as possible this time around. Where can I find well updated compability lists? I'm especially interested in compability for on-board sound chips. Anyway, in your opinion, what is better?

Chipset: VIA K8T800 or Nforce3?
Graphics: ATI Radeon or GeForce?

I've been looking at this motherboard. Would this be a good idea?

Asus K8V-X K8T800
Chipset: VIA K8T800
Audio: ADI AD1980, 6-channel CODEC, S/PDIF out interface
LAN: Marvell 88E 8001 GbLAN

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply.

Realmaker · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

Take the GeForce, the ATI-drivers are horrible. I got a new nvidia-card a week ago and now everything is better than with my 9600.
_________________
Athlon 2600+ Barton, Asus A7N8x-X, nForce2, Asus Geforce FX5700 256mb, TwinMos 512ddr-sdram cl 2.5

Wer andern eine Bratwurst brät, der hat ein Bratwurstbratgerät.

Petyr · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:00 pm Post subject:

Chipset wise I've plenty of experience with the Via chips and they work fine, but I'd expect the same of the NForce, so personally for reasons of better performance I'd say go with the NForce. The graphics card though, without a doubt go with the NVidia!! I have a laptop with ATI crap in it and the video support is HORRIBLE in it. I cannot do games at ALL. Anything more complicated than 2D graphics on this thing and it completely hard-locks. I pretty much have to use the radeon driver (i.e. the open source free one, as opposed to the closed source ATI drivers called fglrx) or my system hardlocks every once in a while even in just 2D apps!

there is much love on the net from Linux users for NVidia.
The same cannot be said for ATI...

hth,
Petyr

sneakerski · Apprentice Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 168

graphics card: NVIDIA
chipset: i can first hand testify that the K8T800 Pro works flawlessly under linux, however, i've seen many people with nforce3 150s, 250s, and 250 ultras all working perfectly. all i can say is go nforce 250 ultra because under winblows with a geforce card, it works faster than the via. i personally find the IDE and SATA implementation better on the nvidia too
_________________
Athlon 64 X2 @ 2ghz on an Asus nForce 4 w/ 1gig
Radeon X850 using OSS Radeon drivers