Best AGP graphics card for Linux?

[soundwave]

Hello all!

My graphics card (ATi Radeon 9800SE) developed a serious over-heating problem, even-though I installed a cooler-fan... It will get so hot that you can't touch the processor for more than 1 sec (unless you like the pain), and if I play a 3D game, the computer will restart after detecting dangerous temps of the card.

I don't know what's wrong, and I don't care.
It's going to be at least 4-6 months until I could get enough money to buy a new (latest & greatest) computer, so I decided to buy a new graphics card for now.
Currently the machine is open with a fan beside it, to cool the card down...

I looked around the web to see some cards in comparison to my dying card, but I'm also interested in hearing what you guys (and girls?) have to say about this..

Which company (ATi or nVidia) are known to best support linux? This includes developing new features for Linux over time... (I heard the new nVidia drivers are something-something). Which would you recommend?

My motherboard (Asus P4P8x) supports only DDR2, so no DDR3 cards please

I thought about getting a nVidia GeForce 7600 GS (256mb, 128bit, DDR2, AGP x8, OpenGL 2.0, 12 pipelines)

What do you think about this one?
How much of an improvement will this card be compared to my current POC (piece of c***) graphics card?

Thanks for the help!
-soundwave-

[soundwave]

no one to the rescue?

I'm sure someone here knows better than me about graphic cards...

[pigpen]

As for the new desktop effects, I had no problems with my NVIDIA GeForce 5200 card driver-wise (Livna has the current one). But I also have a cooling problem with my allegedly passively cooled card. You could fry an ostrich egg on it... So I had to install an extra cooler
I would say, go for an NVIDIA card, but keep your hands off MSI GeForce 5200 cards. If anyone can recommend a passively cooled NVIDIA card that actually *stays* cool, please post.

[soundwave]

I'm backing off MSI products until they do something with the petition that's in progress...

I hate those cards that are KNOWN to have a heat-problem...
2 weeks after I bought the Radeon 9800se (about 2 years ago, or more) it started heating up... I read about the card on the web and it was stated that it is known that this card has a heating problem and that it's best to install a cooler...
Why the hell did ATi release a card with a known heating problem is beyond me... These things can drive me insane!

Anyways... recommendation will be highly appreciated...
And thanks for the reply, pigpen!

- soundwave -

[Moustacha]

Go for nvidia, at least their drivers work without less hassle than ATi.
Also it doesn't matter what RAM is on the video card, DDR1,2 or 3. The memory is for the video and not for the system.
A 7600GS would be an excellent choice IMO, the 6600gt of the 7 series, if u get what i mean. good price for performance, in between the 6600gt and 6800gt

[soundwave]

excellent!
thanks a lot

(so you're saying I can get a DDR3 card and install it on my P4P8x motherboard?)

[giulix]

After having seen an ATI card going up in smoke exactly 1 week after the warranty had expired, I am back to NVIDIA and I am not changing my mind unless the same happens to the new card. These little monsters are way too expensive to allow for every year replacement...

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by soundwave

I'm backing off MSI products until they do something with the petition that's in progress...

I will not buy another MSI product unless an MSI representative apologizes to me _in person_ for selling such c***!

I hate those cards that are KNOWN to have a heat-problem...
...
Why the hell did ATi release a card with a known heating problem is beyond me... These things can drive me insane!

I do understand you all too good!

[Flounder]

My brother has a 7600GS. It runs Battlefield 2 on medium rather well so it would be an upgrade to the 9800. I used to have a 9800 Pro and that thing ran Battlefield 2 terribly on low.