How do I change graphics cards?
 

I want to change my graphics card from the ATI I have now to a Nvidia card. I know how to do all the physical nuts and bolts stuff, but I don't know what to do as far as Linux and drivers are concerned.

Also, what can you recommend for an OK budget nvidia card that will handle all the eye candy stuff coming out now?

I'm using Ubuntu.

Just replace the entry for "driver" under section "Device" in your xorg.conf with vesa or nv. Once the card has been installed, you can install the proprietary nvidia driver.

Budget card? That depends on what is your budget. I'm using a 7600GST and it works really well. Of course, 7600 isn't DirectX 10 unlike the 8500 or 8600 but as long as you haven't got any plans of using Vista on that computer in the foreseeable future, that doesn't have any added value at all.

Well, that equation doesn't compute in practice (budget card that will handle all the eye candy).
In your position I'd get the fastest 7000 series card I can afford/find (since the drivers for 8000 series aren't mature enough yet).

Are you quite sure? My integrated intel graphics can currently handle all of compiz-fusion without skipping a beat. I don’t think eye candy is as graphics-intensive as you make it seem.

My mistake. I was thinking more about games, but it seems 1968eric was not really after that.

Right. I don't play any games on Linux. I was talking about the window switchers and what-not.