ATI --> nVidia

[Mr. Brightside]

I use Ubuntu 10.10 as my only operating system and have no intention of dual booting.

I have an HD 5850 card (bought before I moved away from Windows) but get a little annoyed with graphics drivers at times (things like having to reboot to change between single and dual monitor modes for example).

As I understand it, nVidia drivers for Linux are meant to be a lot better than ATI drivers and so for this reason I'm on the edge of selling the 5850 and getting an equivalent nVidia card. So I have two questions really:

a) Am I correct in expecting better drivers if I get a nVidia card?
i) Is functionality better, e.g. changing resolutions and monitor modes etc.?
ii) Do they make more efficient use of hardware resulting in better overall performance or are they about the same as ATI?
b) Is the GTX 470 approximately equivalent to the HD 5850?

Cheers,
Mr. Brightside

 

[Mr. Brightside]

Why on earth do you need a GTX470 in linux if your not dual booting to game?

Why not get a £50 nvidia card?

I may not dual boot but that doesn't rule out a) gaming under Wine and b) the possibility of switching back to Windows (I don't currently plan to, but I also can't predict the future). Plus I wouldn't want to downgrade!

I went ahead and ordered an Asus GTX 470 yesterday - it arrived today. I've set it all up and having had a quick play around have come to the conclusion that yes, nVidia drivers are superior. The HD 5850 is set to begin auctioning at 9pm tonight; hopefully I'll complete this transition without significant net expense.

Thanks for the advice all