I have an old computer I toy with, I am interested in putting Linux on a newer computer, a Dell PIII.

Fedora works on my old S3 video card, but not compiz fusion. I have been advised it won't.

So what kind of choice can I make, buy a brand new one? What features should it have? Are any brands not suitable for Compiz, only ATI, INTEL and Nvidia?

The HCL list shows several brands, but no one mentions Compiz.

I found this on sale; "Sapphire HD2400Pro PCI-E x16 video card with 512mb RAM, 64Bit, DDR2, VGA, DVI, TV Out
VI-VGASAP51224B".

I can get this, or a name brand, but I can also get a less new, or less new carefully discerned brand.

So is it true, S3 what manage Compiz?

Too new means no driver?

Any recommendations?

You will definitely want an Nvidia. ATI just gave me headaches, both in Linux and Windows and is now on my blacklist. No matter if they open the drivers, close the drivers, open it again... no more ATI for me.

Anyway, you said you want to put a better card on your PIII machine. I really, really doubt that the Sapphire card will work on that machine. That is a brand new card made for PCI-E x16 slot. You might want to open your computer up and check what cards you can fit on your machine's motherboard. I'd guess it will be some AGP port at best. I am not sure how easy it is to find AGP cards these days, but if you find a new one, go for a cheap Nvidia and you should be fine (unless you are a gamer, but then again, if you want to game, you would need a better machine too)

Regards!

My computer shop man suggested an AGP 128 Mb Nvidia card, will that work?

Funny thing, I searched through an old box and found a 512 video card for a pre AGP slot, looked at the box, ten years old, and looked at the price $25, AUD, $13 USD. at a closer look, 512 kb.

Okay, I got a Nvidia 128 MB card, and have only 350 MB SD RAM. Ubuntu does not display Compiz Fusion, need I more RAM, a better card, or both, or neither?

Also when trying to run Compiz-Check, the terminal would not authenticate my password.

Regards.