Best Integrated Graphics for PC-BSD

[ExZen]

What is the best integrated graphics solution for PC-BSD? I'm looking at putting together an Matx board, and the mobo I'm currently looking at uses the intel X3500 (Asus P5E-VM). However, I'm not sure what the state of BSD graphics drivers are for this particular chipset, or if I'd be better off getting an older matx motherboard.

I'd like to be able to make use of Google Earth, the 3D desktop, and other 3d programs.

[graedus]

Your best bet is with an nvidia graphics card (or integrated graphics card). There are official nvidia drivers available for freebsd. Check the compatibility list at nvidia: http://us.download.nvidia.com/freebsd/100.14.19/README/appendix-e.html

You should also consider getting out of the box a compatible network card (many users that find out they have to purchase an additional nic, consider this a deal breaker)

Also, be aware that many flash card readers won't work.

Getting the model/maker of the chipset in different components might provide difficult since some manufacturers/dealers won't provide that information upfront. This seems to be standard procedure.

Just be aware that even though moist of the time your hardware will work out of the box, you might get unlucky with some componen with is not supported. Don't give up.

[ExZen]

Thanks! That list helped a lot. I'm a bit disappointed that Intel isn't fully supporting BSD drivers the way nvidia seems to be, as I'm really stoked about that matx board. I may get it anyways, in the hope that it may be better supported at some point in the future.

At the very least I imagine that I can get the 2d working fine on it, hopefully the 3d support will be added in the near future.

[TerryP]

FreeBSD should be able to use any video card in text mode but I doubt you want to skip Xorg hehe.


I can tell you my ATI Xpress 200</300M works for the core features (i.e. a Desktop and DVD Movie) but things like OpenGL games not so good and beryl, don't bother with an integrated...

[vermaden]

I have Asus P5B-MX at work which is based on 946GZ chipset with GMA3000 gfx card, FreeBSD 6.3-PRERELEASE (so PCBSD also) does not support accelration for it, but FreeBSD 7.0 supports it out of the box with intel open source drivers built from ports.

Everythig wokrs great ,glxgears, I will be putting compiz fusion there in next week to check how it goes, but glxgears on 1280x1024 was about 1100FPS.