[NBLUG/talk] Re: video card compatibility

[Troy Arnold]

On Sat, Jun 03, 2006 at 12:06:32PM -0700, Sean Van Couwenberghe wrote:
> I may have answered my own question. I visited the ATI and nVidia
> websites, and it look like nearly all nVidia-based video cards use
> the linux driver install script provided by nVidia.

Yes.  Even the cheapest nvidia card you can find will work well for your
stated goals.  If you aren't using the 3d accelerated features of the card,
then you can bypass Nvidia's proprietary 'nvidia' driver installation
altogether and use the open source 'nv' driver which comes with Xorg.

I use the 'nv' driver on my laptop because the 'nvidia' driver has some
issues with suspend/resume.  Since I don't game on the laptop, it's fine.

I use the 'nvidia' driver everywhere else with few complaints.  It can be a
pain to set up initially though.  Some distro's have supplementary packages
to help with the installation of the 'nvidia' driver, and this list will
give you great support if you go that route.

-t