nVidia vs. ATI graphics card for fedora

[Matthew Saltzman]

On Tue, 2009-04-28 at 10:43 -0400, James Kosin wrote:
> Globe Trotter wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > I am ordering a souped-up workstation and I was wondering which
> graphics card is preferable for running fedora:
> > 
> > a 256 MB PCIe x16 nVidia NVS 290, Dual Monitor capable
> > 
> > or 
> > 
> > a 
> > ATI Fire GL V3600 256MB, Dual Monitor DVI Capable 	  	ATI3600 	  	
> > 
> > What would you suggest? I do not need huge 3-d acceleration and
> stuff, but want it to work well. 
> > 
> > Please let me know if I should provide more information.
> > 
> > Best wishes,
> > Trotter
> > 
> 
> Trotter,
> 
> If you like re-configuring or re-installing drivers at ever kernel
> change then OK you can do either.  The bad news is ATI and nVidia are
> not fully natively supported in XWindows in most circumstances without
> the proprietary drivers.  There are repos that support these two and
> work is being done for native support... but, alas it is SLOW in coming.
> 
> Tips:
> If you choose either of these, only do so with the intent to CAREFULLY
> update kernels and drivers.  Don't try updating the kernel if there is
> no driver update available, you may regret this decision.
> Next, try getting an older model ATI or nVidia card, support is easier
> for the older models than the newer ones.  Linux is also a bit slow at
> getting newer cards supported natively, without going to proprietary
> drivers.
> 

It's worth pointing out that RPMfusion provides RPMs with kernel modules
for the proprietary versions of both drivers.  The akmod-nvidia RPM
seamlessly rebuilds the driver when a new kernel is installed.  I assume
that the same applies for the ATI packages, but I haven't used them.

> James
> 
-- 
                Matthew Saltzman

Clemson University Math Sciences
mjs AT clemson DOT edu
http://www.math.clemson.edu/~mjs