Arch Linux

Soupstuffs

Member

Registered: 2009-08-28

Posts: 42

About to get a new video card

So, I upgraded my CPU to an Intel i5 and it doesn't have integrated graphics. Darn. Next step: Fry's Electronics. I bought an Nvidia Zotac 8400 GS and finally managed to get it working...

It sucks. It worked on 2/3 of my monitors for about 30 seconds, now it only works on one. So, here's the deal. I'm looking for a cheap video card that plays well with Linux, has Xinerama support (preferably for three monitors), and that doesn't make me upgrade my 420 Watt power supply. I like that number too much to get a 500 Watter. My motherboard has a PCIEX16, a PCIEx4, and two PCI  card slots. I occasionally play Wesnoth, but that's about it. I just want to use all my monitors with my shiny new i5 CPU.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I would like to keep it under $100. Dual monitor support is fine, anything above this single monitor crap.

Thanks,
Soupstuffs

Cdh

Member

Registered: 2009-02-03

Posts: 1,098

Re: About to get a new video card

Do you need newest opengl features?
If not, I'd recommend an r600 radeon card with the open driver. Afaik they have full randr support now.

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Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,606

Re: About to get a new video card

The 8400GS *is* a cheap video cards that works well with linux. Which driver did you use? How did you configure it?

ngoonee

Forum Fellow

From: Between Thailand and Singapore

Registered: 2009-03-17

Posts: 7,358

Re: About to get a new video card

I'm inclined to think the problem is more on the configuration side. nvidia's drivers work well in my experience. Use separate-X servers though, Xinerama is deprecated since ages ago.

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Svenstaro

Administrator

From: Germany

Registered: 2008-11-19

Posts: 390

Re: About to get a new video card

My home media computer is using a 8400 GS with nice success. It is passively cooled and thus a perfect match. I tried a few games and they run just fine. I don't think you'll have to upgrade unless of course you want to play more modern games.

panosk

Member

From: Athens, Greece

Registered: 2008-10-29

Posts: 241

Re: About to get a new video card

I agree with the above comments about the 8400 being a nice and cheap card. In my experience, nvidia is the only way to go if you want very good and reliable performance *today*. So unless your card is defective, I suggest you take a closer look at your configuration.

Soupstuffs

Member

Registered: 2009-08-28

Posts: 42

Re: About to get a new video card

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll try taking exchanging it for the same thing.

Skripka

Member

From: 2X1280X1024

Registered: 2009-02-19

Posts: 555

Re: About to get a new video card

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll try taking exchanging it for the same thing.

The other option being, if you have an old PSU-that it isn't putting out enough current to drive your gear.