support delay for new hardwre

'lo all, I was just wondering how long it usually takes before before brand new, but relatively mainstream, hardware becomes fully supported under Linux? I'm planning to buy either a Gigabyte GA-7vrxp (VIA KT333) or GA-7vaxp (VIA KT400) board early next year, and I would like to know if I can expect these boards to be fully supported by then. I'm especially interested in the surround sound that the 7vaxp has, and raid on both. Has anyone used either of these boards in Linux? How do they behave? Kind regards Hans == Find businesses and have your business found: http://www.brabys.com