Not into gaming, but would like to know best graphics that will allow basic stuff like ppracer, tuxcart, etc for the kids.

1. embedded graphics? (via unichrome)
2. AGP or PCI graphis card?

I can install drivers but would rather not if I can find something with modules built in or prepackaged.

Will be using MDK 2005LE, MDV 2007, or PCLinuxOS 2007.

I have heard the nvidia 6100 series is good. What about 5200 and older?

Any thoughts appreciated

I have the FX5200 (AGP) and the 7300GT (PCI-E). Both worked out of the box. IMHO both good value for under 50 bucks.

I have seen a few post where the PCI version of the nVidida FX5200 has problems on machines that have on-board graphics too.

Prefer AGP and PCI-E cards over PCI cards.

So you have a VIA board already that you want to use? I have no idea what you need to run those games. Assuming you already have the board you could at least give the built-in graphics a try. How fast is your CPU? VIA CPUs are not renowned for their performance.

There is an article here

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...item=730&num=1

on GPUs and 3D desktops which gives some indication of relative performance. I suspect VIA unichrome would not be in the race, and the FX5200 looks pretty weak also, so if you need a graphics boost GeForce 6 series might be the place to look.

That site has a lot of other useful information on linux graphics hardware. You can also check the linux forum at www.viaarena.com for more information about VIA's onboard graphics.