ATi + Linux?

[OSX]

I'm building a new Core 2 Duo rig. I plan to have a Windows/Linux dual-boot installed. I am wondering whether ATi's Linux drivers are better now, are they usable for casual Linux gaming? I will do all the heavy gaming on Windows XP, but for light stuff like BZFLAG, which runs great on a 9200, is it okay to use an ATi videocard?

 

[Tarrant64]

ATI graphics support has never really been "awesome" compared to Windows, and Windows is where you want to be for gaming anyways. I can only assume that the drivers are a little better than before, but I often see complaints about Linux and ATI drivers.

I dont' think the drivers are so bad that you won't be able to play like you do now. Are you getting a new card? What kind?

 

[Sureshot324]

They are fine. It can be a little tricky to get them installed properly, but the same is true for nvidia linux drivers.

 

[OSX]

Great, I wanted to go for a X1800GTO because it's a good bang for the buck, and only 20$ more than the 7600GT I wanted. Since gaming is something to do on Windows, I was just wondering if they're something that will be extremely hard to install or cause problems.

Are the Windows drivers okay? I hear CCC can be a little bloated, is it a problem?

 

[Canterwood]

For Windows I'd download the drivers only and use Ati tray tools rather than the CCC.

 

[sourceninja]

ATI support in linux is a bit funky the last time I tried it 6 months ago. Cedega still has a lot of issues with ATI cards. I really hope that they will get on the ball with this. Nvidia's drivers are closed source and all that jazz, but install and usablity is a lot higher. Although both of them need to update their drivers for the new xorg.

 

[DasFox]

ATI support has improved, but Nvidia is leaps and bounds above Nvidia.

Truth is if your hardcore for Linux, then Nvidia at this point in time is a better choice.

 

[silverpig]

BZflag, chromium, even quake3 work great for me in linux with an x800xl. I can't for the life of me get halflife2 to work under cedega or wine (it starts up, but is slow, at 640x480 and in 8 colour mode). I'm really thinking of getting rid of my x800xl and going with a 7900gt.