linux: 9800 GTX or 9800 GT ?

[nbi1]

Sorry if I'm rehashing a previous thread, just point me in the right direction.

I'm about ready to ditch my 4850. The constant wrestling with driver issues is getting to be too much.

All I'm looking for is excellent 2D. Fast, responsive display and artifact free video. Not a gamer nor do I need 3D.

Been hearing good things about nVidia's linux support. I have a choice between a 9800 GTX for $160 or a 9800 GT for $100. nVidia's release notes for the january driver don't list the 9800 GTX. Not supported? It most definitely lists the 9800 GT though.

Based on my 2D under linux needs which is better and why? If there's another nVidia option that's superior I'd like to hear about that too.
Many thanks.

[Kano]

Well the 9800 GT is more or less a rebranded 8800 GT. 9800 GTX is usally faster and there exists a + version with higher clockspeed too.

[0nelove]

ur not a gamer and those are the cards you want for 2d? I didn't know the higher-end cards were better for 2d, but I'm no expert.

[martalli]

Even intel will do 2d

Just for 2d effects, you might be fine with Intel integrated graphics. Are you lookling for something else, like the HD decoding with higher end nvidia cards for mythTV, etc?

[Nexus7]

between a 9800 GTX for $160 or a 9800 GT for $100. nVidia's release notes for the january driver don't list the 9800 GTX.

Snag a 9800 GTX+ (it has a 55nm GPU) for around $150 after rebates. If you want another $50 in the mix, get a GTX260 (I think they are selling the 55 nm ones now).

VDPAU is supported, but not in mainstream MythTV, mplayer, etc. yet; however it is imminent because the development snapshots have it.

[BlackStar]

All I'm looking for is excellent 2D. Fast, responsive display and artifact free video. Not a gamer nor do I need 3D.

For this use, a 9500 or 9600 card will be a *much* better buy compared to a 9800. Cheaper, cooler, better video decoding - make sure it's passively cooled and you are set!

For comparison, I get excellent 2D and video on a 3 year old 7600 - there's absolutely no need to buy a hot, power-hungry card such as the 4850 or 9800 for 2D only. Older Ati cards are also suitable for these purposes, as long as you are using the open drivers (e.g. X1950 with the radeon driver.)

[a7v-user]

I'd recommend the 9600 also, there's no need for a 9800 gtx(+) and the 9800 GT is only marginally faster then the 9600 but not worth the extra cash unless you're a gamer on a tight budget.
The 9600 GT have way more gaming power then a 9500 card in case the original poster wants to play some 3D games in the future.

[deanjo]

better video decoding

Not true.

The Geforce 8400 GS, 8500 GT, 8600 GT, 8600 GTS, Geforce 8800 GS, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS (512MB/1GB), 9600 GSO, 9600 GT, 9800 GT, 9800 GTX, 9800 GTX+, 9800 GX2, Geforce 9400 GT, 9500 GT, GTX 260, 260 CORE 216, 280 are all VP2 devices with the same video decoding capabilities.

The only 8+ series cards that were not VP2 are the old G80 based cards which were VP1, those being 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTX, 8800 GTS (320/640MB).

The only VP3 class cards are G98 based cards and IGP's of which the 9500/9600 cards are not a part of.

There are also plenty of 8800GT/9800GT passive cards out there as well for a couple of bucks more then the 9600.

[Kano]

There are G98 8400 GS variants (like used on phoronix for benchmarking vdpau), but better get one of those 512 MB ones.

[deanjo]

There are G98 8400 GS variants (like used on phoronix for benchmarking vdpau), but better get one of those 512 MB ones.

Actually the one that Michael used was the older VP2 variant (not the G98 8400GS but still the old G84.) No VC-1 tests were done on the card because of it. But res there are 8400 G98 cards (Look for PCI-e 2.0 support and it should be a G98 based one)