Todd Cary todd@aristesoftware.com wrote:
I forgot to add that performance is not an issue since this server is used for testing PHP code, FTPing applications
via
DSL to my clients and viewing photos. http://209.204.172.137/rotary/
Oh, in that case, nVidia C51/NV44 is excellent in the entry Socket-754 platform.
I've just assembled in some $57 ASRock K8NF4G-SATA2 mainboards with $75 Sempron 64 2800+ (latest Rev. E/SSE3) CUPs. You can't beat the combo for the price, especially since you don't have to add a thing (NV44 integrated video, 2xSATA, 2xATA, 8USB2.0, ALC850 7.1, etc...).
Just note the need to update the kernel to get newer PCI ID support -- they changed a few from the rest of the nForce series: http://thebs413.blogspot.com/2005/12/linux-on-nvidia-c51nv44-nforce.html
I haven't tested if the RHEL 4 kernels have backported the newer 2.6.13/14 PCI ID support and updated GPL forcedeth driver. If not, you can always load the nForce platform driver that nvnet (for the newer MAC+PHY IDs) and nvsound (not needed). On Fedora Core 4, the 2.6.14 kernel handles it fine. I need to check the last 2.6.12 kernel for Fedora Core 3 to see if it is the same.
Ironically enough, the NV44 _does_ work with the X11R6.8.2 NV4x code, so that works for 2D. You don't have to use VESA. nVidia just released their first ForceWare 80 driver (1.0-8174) for Linux about 10 days ago, if you want 3D acceleration.