NVIDIA GeForce GTS250

[marcozs]

Hey everyone,

I am considering to buy a new graphic card and I thought about the MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTS250 OC.

Before buying it I'd like to be sure it will be fully compatible with Ubuntu 9.10, has anyone tried it out?

I read I have to install the nvidia 190.53 drivers (or 195?), is it safe to do it from http://ppa.launchpad.net/nvidia-vdpau/ppa/ubuntu/ ?

Waiting an answer before the purchase...
Thanks in advance!

[buntunub]

Yea, I have this model using those drivers. Works like a champ. I compile my drivers though and reinstall after each kernel update. I have a dual DVI monitor setup this way on Kubuntu and its fantastic.

[buntunub]

Here is what my Kubuntu Karmic 64 bit desktop looks like.

[marcozs]

Here is what my Kubuntu Karmic 64 bit desktop looks like.

What dock are you using? gnome-do docky? or cairo-dock?

[coskierken]

Both Cairo Dock and AWN work fine with the GTS250. I have the OC/1Gig version of this card. The ppa work fine with them. Watch the fan speeds on the card. If you play any games or serious 3d work, make sure the the fan speeds are 75% or better or it may overheat and lock up. I actually got the Zalman all copper/tube cooler and chipset heatsinks for this model. It lowers temps quite a bit, thus more stable at higher usage. Hope this helps.

[cascade9]

Just in case you dont know....the GTS250 is a 9800GT, which is a 8800GT. Theers been die-shinking and some updating, but the basic chip hasnt changed in a long time.

If your gaming, the GTX260 is a better choice, if you can afford the few extra dollars it costs. If your not gaming....in most cases the 8800/9800/250 is overkill.

[buntunub]

Im not using a docker. That is the KDE4 panel. Those are standard Kwin effects and the rest is all Plasma.

As far as the drivers, you can try PPA's and may have some success. I tried them and they failed on kernel upgrades and I still had a little bit of weird artefacting with them. Its just easier for me to get the driver from Nvidia and reinstall it each time. Its a self installing executable that does everything automatically:

CTRL+ALT+F1, or boot into safe mode, then

sudo (omit sudo if in safe mode) sh NVIDIA..... .run

reboot

done.

[marcozs]

If you play any games or serious 3d work, make sure the the fan speeds are 75% or better or it may overheat and lock up.

Do I have to set the fan speed manually?
I thought it would autoadjust...
Anyway I will mostly play World of Warcraft

I actually got the Zalman all copper/tube cooler and chipset heatsinks for this model. It lowers temps quite a bit, thus more stable at higher usage. Hope this helps.

I was thinking to get either the 512Mb:
http://www.eprice.it/images/Prodotti/plus/n2402018.jpg

Or this one, 1Gb version:
http://www.eprice.it/images/Prodotti/plus/n2329107.jpg

Not sure if the 1gb is worth the 30 euros more...

[marcozs]

I compile my drivers though and reinstall after each kernel update.

I've also got karmic 64bit with nvidia 8600gts but I wanted to upgrade to GTS250... do you think I will have problems if I don't compile them and use the ppa version of the drivers?

[barnex]

I've just ordered a (really nice) gtx295. I'll let you know if it works when it arrives, but I assume nvidia cards are usually quite well supported.