Does anyone have any suggestions for online stores that sell computer parts in Canada? I've got my new PC that I bought for running Linux, but I was skimping and relying on the integrated hardware on the motherboard and it appears that Linux doesn't like the graphics chip too much; it works and runs the fancy 3D user interface, but only at 60Hz. I could buy one from the local computer store but they only sell the modern cards so I was thinking I might be able to save a few bucks by buying one from the previous generation.

I know of NCIX.com, but not of any others.

You could try Memory Express here in Calgary they do mail order.

Their pricing is pretty competitive locally.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/

Cheers
Steve

It's probably be cheaper to just run Windows, you know.

tigetdirect.ca - or just do a search with any price comparison engine, like shopbot.ca

or eBay - there's usually loads of people replacing stuff in their systems and selling off old hardware cheap.

Make sure you get an Nvidia based card, Compiz Fusion works better on Nvidia and the Nvidia support is better... I have an old AGP 6600 GT which runs it fine, probably peanuts these days...

Are you sure you need to run at over 60hz? What's your display? If it's a LCD, then 60hz is fine......

At last, a properly geeky thread on here All we need now is DBD33 to come in and spoil it

Yeah, I got my laptop from Memory Express while I was in Alberta, I should take a look on their site.

This is for working overtime at home over the VPN to the Linux machines at work. So running Linux is much easier and safer than running Windows (no problem running X-windows from those machines and far less likely to get a virus and infect -- or get infected by -- some random Windows machine on the office network, for example).

BTW, thanks for the info, I'll try that site too.

The six series cards seem to be impossible to find new. The local computer store seem pretty good, but only have the 8 and 9 series for sale.

Before I bought the PC I checked that the integrated chip was supported, but no-one said that it would only run at 60Hz; I guess many people have LCDs so they don't care.

It's a CRT, and can run up to 85Hz at 2048x1536. 60Hz looks horrible... certainly I couldn't get any work done without eye strain.

60hz on a CRT is dreadful! Sure it's not something daft like it "thinks" you're using a LCD therefore is hiding higher frequencies?

Duh, I should have thought of that! I just looked in the Xorg.0.log file and it says 'no EDID information available from DDC', so it does appear that the card isn't seeing the monitor properly.

Either way, I suspect I should install an Nvidia card sooner or later instead of the on-board ATI, as the Nvidia drivers seem to have much better support.

I have an integrated ATI gfx chipset on my laptop and it runs Compiz *ok* - the difference between it and the Nvidia in my desktop is minimal. Certainly wouldn't spend a fortune on a card for it anyway - if you can get one off ebay cheap, then why not...