Hi, With my fancy new UXGA display working well (i.e., with all the various software configuration issues sorted out and fine-tuned), I'm now looking to see just how good it gets. Specifically, I'm looking for / considering a DVI-capable video adaptor. I'm currently using a Matrox G400, which has only VGA outputs, of course. According to a very good and detailed article on Tom's Hardware Guide (<http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041129/index.html>), getting the most from DVI at UXGA resolutions and above is technically very demanding. They reviewed several cards and the only ones they gave good reviews and accorded full compliance were those based on ATI Radeon processors. In contrast, all of the nVidia-based cards they reviewed were given marginal evaluations. I have gotten the impression that nVidia has the best driver support, though one must manually install the nVidia-supplied driver since they don't allow Linux vendors to include this driver in their distributions. Apparently, there are more problems using Radeon cards. I have not been able to find a lot of information on these issues. Could someone clue me in or supply some good pointers? If anyone is already using a UXGA with DVI and has specific recommendations, suggestions or feedback, I'd love to hear it. Thanks. Randall Schulz
Hello again, On Saturday 30 April 2005 10:36, Randall R Schulz wrote:
...
I have gotten the impression that nVidia has the best driver support, though one must manually install the nVidia-supplied driver since they don't allow Linux vendors to include this driver in their distributions. Apparently, there are more problems using Radeon cards.
I my further wanderings and seeking, I've found this (<https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=1176>): -==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==- <a href='http://www.ati.com/products/catalyst/linux.html'> ATI Proprietary Linux Driver FAQ </a> Notes: 1. The drivers below support English only. 2. The display driver requires POSIX shared memory to be enabled on the system. 3. Kernel Source package is no longer required if Kernel Header package is installed. X-Windows | File Size (MB) | Date Posted Version ---------------------------------------------------------- XFree86 4.1 | 3.9 | 04/07/05 | Version: 8.12.10 XFree86 4.2 | 3.6 | 04/07/05 | Version: 8.12.10 XFree86 4.3 | 4.7 | 04/07/05 | Version: 8.12.10 X.Org 6.8 | 3.6 | 04/07/05 | Version: 8.12.10 -==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==- The FAQ has some interesting information: - 3D is supported. - Cards in the 8500 series and newer are supported. - Only 32-bit processors are supported but 64-bit support is under development. - Fragments of the driver package source is available. - Releases are packaged as RPM packages. - Kernel 2.4 and 2.6 are supported. - XFree86 and X.Org are both supported (as shown above) So... Has ATI turned over a new leaf? Are these good drivers? Are they reliable? Can I feel free to go with a Radeon-based video card? Has anyone tried these drivers? Randall Schulz
On Saturday 30 April 2005 19:36, Randall R Schulz wrote:
I have gotten the impression that nVidia has the best driver support, though one must manually install the nVidia-supplied driver since they don't allow Linux vendors to include this driver in their distributions.
This is incorrect, and has been discussed on this list before Section 2.1.2 of the nvidia license 2.1.2 Linux/FreeBSD Exception. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of Section 2.1.1, SOFTWARE designed exclusively for use on the Linux or FreeBSD operating systems, or other operating systems derived from the source code to these operating systems, may be copied and redistributed, provided that the binary files thereof are not modified in any way (except for unzipping of compressed files). How else do you think the America's Army gaming CD could be distributed?
Anders, On Saturday 30 April 2005 11:53, Anders Johansson wrote:
On Saturday 30 April 2005 19:36, Randall R Schulz wrote:
I have gotten the impression that nVidia has the best driver support, though one must manually install the nVidia-supplied driver since they don't allow Linux vendors to include this driver in their distributions.
This is incorrect, and has been discussed on this list before
So why the oft-repeated instruction to go through an extra nVidia-specific driver installation step? Randall Schulz
On Saturday 30 April 2005 21:16, Randall R Schulz wrote:
So why the oft-repeated instruction to go through an extra nVidia-specific driver installation step?
Because the drivers aren't included. I only meant that it is incorrect that the drivers aren't included because nvidia don't allow it, because they do. Whatever the reason is, it must be something else
Anders, On Saturday 30 April 2005 12:23, Anders Johansson wrote:
On Saturday 30 April 2005 21:16, Randall R Schulz wrote:
So why the oft-repeated instruction to go through an extra nVidia-specific driver installation step?
Because the drivers aren't included.
I see.
I only meant that it is incorrect that the drivers aren't included because nvidia don't allow it, because they do. Whatever the reason is, it must be something else
On that note, I downloaded the Radeon driver I reported on earlier to see if there'd be any issues (well, whether or not an "rpm -i --test driver.rpm" would succeed). I was surprised to see that the exact same version they're providing on their web site is already installed on my SuSE 9.3 system. Randall Schulz
On Sat, 30 Apr 2005, Randall R Schulz wrote:
Anders,
On Saturday 30 April 2005 11:53, Anders Johansson wrote:
On Saturday 30 April 2005 19:36, Randall R Schulz wrote:
I have gotten the impression that nVidia has the best driver support, though one must manually install the nVidia-supplied driver since they don't allow Linux vendors to include this driver in their distributions.
This is incorrect, and has been discussed on this list before
So why the oft-repeated instruction to go through an extra nVidia-specific driver installation step?
Because the nv driver distributed with SuSE is "hack" that doesn't fully support nVidia chipsets and graphics adapters. The nVidia drivers support all of their products and all of the features. Merton Campbell Crockett -- BEGIN: vcard VERSION: 3.0 FN: Merton Campbell Crockett ORG: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems; Intelligence and Exploitation Systems N: Crockett;Merton;Campbell EMAIL;TYPE=internet: mcc@CATO.GD-AIS.COM TEL;TYPE=work,voice,msg,pref: +1(805)497-5045 TEL;TYPE=work,fax: +1(805)497-5050 TEL;TYPE=cell,voice,msg: +1(805)377-6762 END: vcard
participants (3)
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Anders Johansson -
Merton Campbell Crockett -
Randall R Schulz