Its been a while since there has been such a thread, so given I am considering a new hardware purchase (as noted in this thread), so I thought that I would raise the question: do any of our users have any views wrt successful graphic card compatibility with openSUSE GNU/Linux ?
I had originally been thinking of a nVidia GTX-660 as it is in line with my budget, but I noted a number of user issues with that hardware and both proprietary and nouveau graphic drivers. That lead me to consider either nvidia GTX-650 (much cheaper but significantly less performance) or even nVidia GTX-760 (more expensive with 10% to 25% superior performance). However I can’t determine if GTX-650 or GTX-760 have similar (tearing) issues to GTX-660.
Radeon (AMD) hardware in same price range would be Radeon R7 260X or Radeon R9 270X. wrt Radeon, as I noted in a separate thread, I confess I prefer to avoid AMD/Radeon as they are typically slow in providing updated drivers (for GNU/Linux) for their hardware, they don’t always provide release notes for their driver updates, and they drop Linux support (for proprietary drivers) a lot sooner than nvidia drop support for older hardware. But the PC I am thinking of purchasing only needs to last 3-4 years, after which I will likely replace it. So ‘possibly’ that relatively short duration will fit within the AMD support timeframe (and possibly not).
My requirements are superb HD video playback, and also good support for video editing. Playing games are not a requirement. Superb GNU/Linux driver support is a requirement (when meeting the HD-video-playback and the video editing support) is key). I prefer not to spend too much more for good driver/GNU/Linux compatibility, although I will do so as long it is not too much more $$. I don’t mind using a proprietary driver - as I am used to installing the proprietary driver the manual (hard) way for both Radeon and nVidia and I can almost do such a manual update in my sleep. The CPU I choose will likely be approximate speed of an Intel Core-i7 4770 … and I’ll pick a power supply sufficient to support what ever graphic card I choose.
Comments / experiences ? Note I’m not only interested in reading of those with trouble, but also those with success with graphic cards? Again, budget for the card would be around that of a nvidia GTX-660.
This is going to be a good thread to read. I wish I can offer you some information, but I still hang on my very old (but trusty) hardware. My Dell Precision 340 that still runs like new.
I’m using the HIS IceQ HD RADEON 4670 which is truly the best AGP card available. I did have a lot of trouble at first with the entire desktop freezing at any time but the recent upgrade to the X-server (not the driver, which was what I suspected was the problem) apparently solved, it hasn’t freeze again. I still have the problem with a blank screen sometimes when booting, as if the driver is not loaded well on boot.
I just wrote something outside of your request… I know… just in case you get an old motherboard with an AGP slot.
The new graphic card I was planning on purchasing, was planned to go in a new (soon to purchase) PC with a socket 1150 motherboard and an Intel Core-i7 4770 CPU. It was pointed out to me on an openSUSE thread, and also on a Phoronix thread, that the integrated graphics (an Intel HD 4600) that comes with that setup is not too bad, and if concerned about tearing on nVidia, it may be a good idea to initially stick with the integrated graphics (ie with the Intel HD 4600). Only if the performance of that Intel device proves not capable of supporting my requirements (HD video editing and HD video playback) might it be an idea to procure a PCI-e graphic card.
Hence for the moment when I order my new PC this weekend, I am not going to purchase a new graphic card with it.
Its good to know of other cards (such as your HIS IceQ HD RADEON 4670). I note you mention it an AGP … where I believe only older PCs have an AGP slot, and most newer cards will use a PCI-e (or am I confused on my PC motherboard interface slots ? ).
nope, you’re not confused, AGP slots are only found in old hardware, now everything is PCI, as far as I know
If and when I need a change of a new PC, I’ll probably buy another Dell Precision, more expensive… yes… but… I had not hardware trouble, (only software… like drivers in Linux) and I know everything will be tested and know to work well together (true, under Windows) so I’ll only have to check the Linux side when I install the Linux partition.
My new Dell has Intel i7 with HD4000 graphics. I love it. It chews through any 3D games I throw at it. I have no experience with anything HD. I have no screen tearing while watching videos. If you could recommend a HD test subject I might be able test it out for you.
This is an example site of h264 videos: H.264 Demo Clips | H264info.com One example is a 1080p, such as the “I am Legend - 1080p trailer”. Note these videos can be large in size … ie 120MB or more . The “Gravity 2K” trailer is ~335 MB download ! (just for a trailer).
My experience is even older PCs with a nvidia card that supports vdpau, and my Toshiba Z930 with an Intel Core-i7 CPU with integrated Intel HD 3000 support this with no problem. My desktop PC with an Intel-Core-i7-920 and a slow GTX-260 graphic card also can play back such ok (using either vlc or smplayer). What is key is there is no tearing, and I’ve read some of the newer nvidia cards with the proprietary driver have trouble with tearing in playing back HD videos (although I also read that such tearing can be tuned out by an appropriate KDE desktop settings selection).
For a real killr test, try the Native render size (4000x2250) @ 60 fps sample (file: bbb_sunflower_native_60fps_normal.mp4) - I can’t play that back properly on my PCs. Or try any of the videos with resolution > 1920x1080. I can’t properly play back any of the very high resolution videos.
However the videos that are 1920x1080 (30fps and 60fps) I can play back ok.
Hi,
I recently replaced the original nvidia card that came with my hp desktop (core i7/10GB ram).
What I did was read thru some postings here and in the nvidia linux dev. forums regarding nvidia
compatibilities and issues with linux. Reading through numerous treads I didn’t saw issues for the
GeForce GT640, so I decided to grab one. Not an expensive card with 2-dvi and one HDMI socket.
Edit:
I dont use it for games, I use this desktop for architectural visualization using the cpu.
I should qualify that. I can’t play that back with smplayer nor vlc, but I can successfully play it back with ffplay using arguments to reduce the resolution:
Hi oldcpu,
I downloaded the two videos, Full HD (1920x1080 x2) & 4K, Quad-Full-HD (3840x2160 x2) both 60fps except for the
Native render size (4000x2250 x2) because I don’t use torrent.
Both videos played well with my zotac GeForce GT640
If you know a (4000x2250 x2) short video downloadable outside torrent let me know and I am happy to try.
Both played fine here with 1920x1080 HD. I don’t mess with video processing, so don’t how to test that aspect. I don’t watch a lot of videos either. I can run megaglest/sauerbraten/minecraft at full res 60FPS. You can’t go wrong with HD400. I was very impressed. Worst case scenario, you could add in a better card later.
