Can Integrated graphics cause problems

jm240

jm240

jm240

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7 Nov 2004
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299
Hi guys I have a very basic PC build that i've had for a while. It runs Linux (Debian) and I wanted to install compiz 3d desktop effects.

But the motherboard I have which is an Abit NF-M2SV uses integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics which linux has never really had the support for; so it defaults to "Vesa drivers" if my memory serves me correct. This is fine because it runs in an adequate resolution.

But doing anything graphic intensive and I am not allowed this includes Compiz 3d Effects.

So I am happy to go and buy a basic graphics card which is fully supported by Debian to allow me to do this but will I have problems with the integrated graphics? I have heard you can get conflict problems.

Thanks,
James
 
i am against onboard graphics, they hog your ram and cause stutterness and slowness. I would just buy a basic 20-30 pound card, anything is better than onboard.
 
I've heard of stuff like this, where it's fine with 2D but crashes with 3D. I'm pretty sure it's a driver problem, but i'm not sure if you can fix it. The alternative would be to buy an integrated graphics card quite cheaply and make sure that has Linux drivers.
 
So buying a cheap 20-30 pound card will install fine even though the mobo has on board graphics? and won't this still hog resources as the onboard is always there regardless if I use another Graphics card?
 
theres usually an option in the bios to turn off on board gfx. never had any dealing with this board but a read through manual should help(download from abit website). as said make sure a card is compatible before buying
 
Beware that cheapo PCI-E cards also steal system memory just as onboard cards do. Basically avoid anything thats turbocache or hypermemory.
 
MeatLoaf said:
Beware that cheapo PCI-E cards also steal system memory just as onboard cards do. Basically avoid anything thats turbocache or hypermemory.
Click to expand...

That's not really a problem... besides, everything uses RAM. Modern day graphics do it too, my 512MB card registers as 1GB on my machine because it uses 512MB shared memory, and as far as i know everything has shared memory otherwise it couldn't communicate with the other components.
 
jm240 said:
Hi guys I have a very basic PC build that i've had for a while. It runs Linux (Debian) and I wanted to install compiz 3d desktop effects.

But the motherboard I have which is an Abit NF-M2SV uses integrated GeForce 6100 Graphics which linux has never really had the support for; so it defaults to "Vesa drivers" if my memory serves me correct. This is fine because it runs in an adequate resolution.

But doing anything graphic intensive and I am not allowed this includes Compiz 3d Effects.

So I am happy to go and buy a basic graphics card which is fully supported by Debian to allow me to do this but will I have problems with the integrated graphics? I have heard you can get conflict problems.

Thanks,
James
Click to expand...

I'm surprised at this. While not running integrated graphics myself, I do use Linux and generally speaking the support for nVidia chipsets is very good. It may be worth installing Ubuntu or Mint and trying the 3D there. Both are based on Debian and Mint has 3D drivers built in by default. If they work then it's not a problem with the integrated graphics.
 
I initially went with Ubuntu and had more problems there than I got with Debian. Ubuntu kept throwing me in a 640 resolution and I tried everything under the sun you name it.

Debian gave me the right resolution out of the box with no configuring needed. I tried the nvidia drivers and what not but it was having none of it. I think I could have been unlucky with this particular motherboard and integrated card because Debian just won't accept anything other than VESA. I was just as surprised as you.

I'm wondering whether to go with the 9400GT card for 34 squids or go with the nVidia 6200 for 13 quid inc delivery from the bay. Money is tight so I might go with the latter.
 
If a 6100 has no proper support under Linux, a 6200 is unlikely to fare any better! The 9400 will have much better support - I'd go with that. My laptop has an 8400 (which is almost the same as the 9400) and that performs pretty damn well!
 
Download envy-ng (it's on apt, can also get it on their site) and use it to automatically install the latest accelerated driver for your onboard device, VESA is basically a software driven desktop. You onboard should be fine really.
 
Yes can confirm that I am running Debian with exactly the same issue you describe and have solved the issue with an Nvidia graphics card. For exactly the same reason I have a intel NIC which I use to install debian on a new machine if the current MOBO one does not have any drivers.
 
God my 1st comp was on board graphic's, bought lol a 16mb GFX AGP Card made by Sparkle it was a vast improvement all round.
 
Ok great, so the overall consensus is to invest in a cheap of the range nVidia card and forget the onboard? That's what i'll go with.

Thanks
 
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