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Question

Best Video Card for Ubuntu 10.04

Jul 6, 2012 12:32PM PDT

I'm ordering a new desktop, and I need quick info on the best (read "NO PROBLEMS") video card that is decent.

This is the initial install, I'm not replacing another card. I prefer to use open source drivers.

Right now Radeon 6670 with 1GB is on the list. I'm not sure exactly which one. I have a few days to change that to whatever is best if I need to, even a completely different one by any manufacturer.

I need decent graphics, but it doesn't really need to be game level. I may play some low level games, but nothing that requires high level stuff. And if I have to give up some graphics performance to be SURE it will work, that's fine. I won't worry about zapaction games that look a bit fuzzy.

So if this one isn't among the best to be SURE it will work with 10.04 with no tweaking, for mid-level to somewhat better than mid-level graphics, which one is?

I don't have a favorite manufacturer or brand, except what works with NO PROBLEMS.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It appears you cross posted.
Jul 6, 2012 12:42PM PDT

Where to discuss this now?

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Answer
No
Aug 2, 2012 9:11PM PDT

If you're going to be using an old version of Ubuntu (I don't recommend using an old version, BTW) then you need a graphics card that was actually around when that version of Ubuntu was released.

The Radeon 6670 was released in 2011, I believe. Ubuntu 10.04 was released in early 2010.

Plus, of course, it's an ATI graphics card. Nvidia graphics cards work better, with more features, on Linux.

Buy an Nvidia card that was around at the start of 2010, or use a later distro, so you can use Ubuntu's built-in driver-installation software.

It's possible to use the 6670 with Ubuntu 10.04 but it's a royal pain as you need to install the driver manually and keep reinstalling it on every kernel update. That's not necessary if you use an earlier card that Ubuntu 10.04 will know about, or a later distro that will know about the 6670.