[clug] Linux mobo - good and cheap

[Rainer Klein]

On Thu, 1 Jan 2009, Algis Kabaila wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 17:36:17 Daniel Pittman  wrote:
> > Message: 10
> > Date: Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:35:22 +1100
> > From: Daniel Pittman <daniel at rimspace.net>
> > Subject: Re: [clug] Linux mobo - good and cheap
> > To: CLUG List <linux at lists.samba.org>
> > Message-ID: <87k59fa5zp.fsf at rimspace.net>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> >
> > "Chris Smart" <mail at christophersmart.com> writes:
> > > 2009/1/1 Algis Kabaila <akabaila at pcug.org.au>
> > >
> > >> Happy New Year to you'all!  I have the urge (need?) to put together a
> > >> PC that is Linux friendly, i.e. on which I (an old mug) would be able
> > >> to install a fancy openSUSE11.x without first facing a not so fancy
> > >> blank screen with a message "out of range" on my 22" LCD screen (BenQ
> > >> FP222W).
> > >>
> > >> Besides, holding a screw driver in my hands would be a really good
> > >> new experience for me...
> > >>
> > >> I am not looking for anything fancy and would like the video to be on
> > >> the M/B. Can someone recommend a M/B? Cost is important - the lower,
> > >> the better.
> > >
> > > If going the integrated video route, then beware ATI/AMD as their
> > > proprietary driver really isn't great (you might get away with the
> > > open source radeon driver, but you'd need to research first).
> >
> > The same ATI/AMD who just released the specifications required for full,
> > open 3D support on their hardware, right?  Yeah, the binary driver will
> > suck for the next six months — but beyond that they are a much better
> > choice.
> >
> > If you don't need 3D today, and want it to perform at the high end
> > later, they are probably the better choice, but...
> >
> > > I'd go an Intel box with Intel VGA if possible as they have great
> > > Linux support. But then these usually cost slightly more. But then
> > > Intel VGA usually has no DVI.
> >
> > ...the Intel chips are the best choice if you don't care about 3D games,
> > since they are already open and well supported.  No wait time there.
> >
> > Just, whatever you do, don't be suckered into buying NVIDIA hardware on
> > the premise that the binary driver is better today.
>
> Thank you Chris and thank you Daniel for your replies.
>
> After reading Daniel's reply, I realised that my question was "badly
> formed" ("mal formee) - I did not give some vital information for a
> considered advice.
>
> 1. I do not care about the 3D games.
>
> 2. My blank screen "out of range" is the joy of a PC with NVIDIA chipset
> and AMD 64 processor. I like the processor! It works fine with openSUSE10.3
> (ubuntu is no better on my box), but goes belly up with openSUSE11.x with x
> 1 or 2.  I usually manage to eventually get a good resolution, but the time
> wasted is too big a hassle to continue in my merry way of avoiding any
> choices in hardware.
>
> 3. I would not mind putting in a video card, if it would ensure
> compatibility with Linux AFA video is concerned.  Actually, I did buy on
> impulse an Asus video card EAH3450 in the markets for $50.  Tried to google
> information about it, but did not get anything encouraging and have not
> come around of putting it in a box. The card is not very useful in its
> cardboard box.  :)  Any suggestions there, bearing in mind that 3D games
> are of no interest to me?
>
> Thank you again,
> OldAl.
>
> --
> Dr Algis Kabaila
> http://akabaila.pcug.org.au/StructuralAnalysis/

Al,

I'm running a dual-core AMD64 with integrated ATI/Radeon chip set. I had the 
same problem to configure X with my 22" Acer monitor. SAX2 under SuSE 11.x 
fails to recognize the properties of this monitor.

After replacing the 'Screen' and 'Montor' section within 
the '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' file generated by SAX2 my system works fine. Here 
are my two sections:

Section "Monitor"
  Option       "CalcAlgorithm" "XServerPool"
  DisplaySize  380 290
  HorizSync    30-66
  Identifier   "Monitor[0]"
  ModelName    "1680X1050 at 60HZ"
  Option       "DPMS"
  Option       "PreferredMode" "1680x1050"
  VendorName   "--> LCD"
  VertRefresh  50-61
  UseModes     "Modes[0]"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
  DefaultDepth 24
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      15
    
Modes      "1680x1050" "1600x1024" "1600x1000" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1440x900" "1280x960" "1366x768" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      16
    
Modes      "1680x1050" "1600x1024" "1600x1000" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1440x900" "1280x960" "1366x768" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      24
    
Modes      "1680x1050" "1600x1024" "1600x1000" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1440x900" "1280x960" "1366x768" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      8
    
Modes      "1680x1050" "1600x1024" "1600x1000" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1440x900" "1280x960" "1366x768" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
  EndSubSection
  Device       "Device[0]"
  Identifier   "Screen[0]"
  Monitor      "Monitor[0]"
EndSection

Maybe this can be of help to you.

Regards,

Rainer