[Novalug] graphics card update

[Russell Evans]

On Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:32:02 -0400
"Julia Christianson" <juliac at patriot.net> wrote:

> I'm planning a minor upgrade to my home desktop this week, and I want
> to replace my very ancient video card.  No interest in games, but I
> want to be able to run my LCD monitor at native resolution (1280x1024)
> and play with google maps and some of the new 3D eye candy.  OTOH, my
> PS is only 330W and while my environment can get pretty hot in the
> summertime, I really value how quiet the machine is currently (Antec
> case/PS with variable speed case fans) and don't want to add a
> potentially noisy fan on the card.
> 
> Is this a hopeless quest?  If so, I'd rather compromise on graphics
> than noise.  Would it be Nvidia or ATI-based?  Any specific
> recommendations?

I have not played with the ATI Linux binaries since 2002-2003 so I'm
pretty out of date but at that time the NVidia Linux drivers where
easier to deal with. That said:

Assuming you have a AGP slot I'd go for the NVidia 6200 series at around
$50. The newer 6200A won't let you enable disabled pipes and has a
smaller 64 bit bus than some of the older 6200, but I still would go for
a 6200 series over a FX5500 AGP. 

If your computer still is using PCI for graphics then a F5500 is
probably the best bet. You'll find the last generation NVidia
FX5200-5500 in the same price range of around $50.


I would not buy aa card with less than 128M memory as that should be
enough to do whatever you want for another few years.  

You can compare specs here.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=192&card2=158


Comparing an ATI 1300 to a NVidia 6200, same street price range of
around $50, it looks like the ATI is the better chip. My preference for
NVidia is about the drivers and I am out of date so maybe ATI is worth
considering if someone with more up to date experience with the
binaries posts a reply.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=192&card2=370

Thank you 
Russell