Hey all, long time reader, first time poster
I've been using Linux (as a Windows replacement) on-and-off for a few years now, but recently I've been considering upgrading one of my machines to very Linux friendly hardware (no binary drivers / etc).
The machine wouldn't be used for gaming, only simple desktop work (likely with compositing) and using XBMC or the likes for watching movies and such (unlikely HD stuff though), so 2D speed is the most important thing.
I've been considering going down the integrated GPU route as the machine will likely be online 24/7 and as such I'm looking for low power usage / heat too.
I'd originally planned to build a system using an Intel GMA X4500/HD but I'm unsure as to how well the Intel GPU's can handle compiz and displaying video when using a composited desktop.
Support for dual monitors is important too as I'd like to use my large Dell screen for watching media and extending my desktop to when I need more room. One screen is a 20" Viewsonic (1600x1200), the other is a 27" Dell (1920x1200).
So I guess my question is, which would be better for my needs. An Intel board with either the G3x or G4x chipset (GMA X3xxx or GMA X4xxx), or perhaps an AMD chipset with an ATi GPU? Are the open source drivers even capable of displaying an OpenGL application in a composited desktop? Obviously shutting down Compiz just to run XBMC would be a little tedious :P
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
I've been using Linux (as a Windows replacement) on-and-off for a few years now, but recently I've been considering upgrading one of my machines to very Linux friendly hardware (no binary drivers / etc).
The machine wouldn't be used for gaming, only simple desktop work (likely with compositing) and using XBMC or the likes for watching movies and such (unlikely HD stuff though), so 2D speed is the most important thing.
I've been considering going down the integrated GPU route as the machine will likely be online 24/7 and as such I'm looking for low power usage / heat too.
I'd originally planned to build a system using an Intel GMA X4500/HD but I'm unsure as to how well the Intel GPU's can handle compiz and displaying video when using a composited desktop.
Support for dual monitors is important too as I'd like to use my large Dell screen for watching media and extending my desktop to when I need more room. One screen is a 20" Viewsonic (1600x1200), the other is a 27" Dell (1920x1200).
So I guess my question is, which would be better for my needs. An Intel board with either the G3x or G4x chipset (GMA X3xxx or GMA X4xxx), or perhaps an AMD chipset with an ATi GPU? Are the open source drivers even capable of displaying an OpenGL application in a composited desktop? Obviously shutting down Compiz just to run XBMC would be a little tedious :P
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
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