the most stable linux graphics drivers?

Mr. Hahn · Apprentice Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 250

Can anyone out there tell me what graphics card has the most srtable linux drivers? currrently Iam running an nvidia geforce3 with nvidia drivers. A week ago xwindows died (the system was fine, I was able to get in remotely and it was all working) and it seems like a graphic's driver issue (scrambled video, nothing worked). It was up for only 7 days too. I don't want this to happen again. I am thinking either an ati rage or a matrox.

tomchuk · Guru Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 317 Location: Brooklyn, NY

If 3D isn't important then I'd reccomend a Matrox G450 or G550 with the stock mga driver. You'll get the crispest card you can buy, hardware acceleration and no fussing with closed-source drivers. Both can be dug up on eBay for < $60. I just got fed up with the nvidia drivers and dropped my GF4 and GF2 PCI for a G450 and G200 MMS PCI and I'm much happier for it. Now to fill up the other 2 heads on the MMS

I've used the Nvidia, ATI and Matrox binary drivers, and they pretty much all suck for one reason or another. Unless you simply must game on your Gentoo box, dump the expensive 3D card and get a PS2 and a Matrox.

MasonMouse · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 5:11 am Post subject:

I second the vote for Matrox. It seems pretty much everything under Linux has support for it and my 32M G400 DualHead has given me no problems at all. In fact, I just recently rebuilt my system around it, getting a new motherboard that allowed me to keep the older 3.3v 2x AGP card. I agree it's not the best for gaming (although BZFlag runs great) but for a solid system with good video quality, it can't be beat - at least not anywhere near its' price range. It's also my understanding that my older G400 uses faster memory than the newer G450 but don't quote me on that. Do a little research first and see what you can find if you decide to go with one of them.

pmjdebruijn · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:43 am Post subject:

I got a Matrox Productiva G100 AGP 8MB on the last discount event in my town... Bought it for 10euro's, works just fine... (with the mga driver)

L8er,
drz

dreas · Guru Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Posts: 359 Location: Germany

2D: Matrox
3D: nVidia

Just my worthless opinion.

drb · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 6:33 pm Post subject:

Before buying a Matrox card, be sure to check out the Linux forum at http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/forum/agree.cfm

Binary drivers are required for DVI on some cards. Only some cards have Linux support and some functions such as TV out are not supported or available at all. Some binary drivers have bugs.

Make sure that the card and features you want are supported.
_________________
Darrell Bellerive
VA7TO

kenoki · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:03 pm Post subject:

I've had a breeze with my G400 dualhead, using drm in X and in fbconsole it works great.
_________________
Generic Signature filling up blank space.

wishkah · Guru Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 441 Location: de