uATX Motherboard for Linux: Nvidia 7050 / 630A vs AMD 690G

[Kreed]

I am looking to buy a uATX motherboard that works well in Linux. With all the recent driver releases by both AMD and Nvidia, which motherboard would give me the least trouble?

I am currently considering either the Abit AN-M2HD (which is based on the Nvidia 7050 / 630A chipset) or a motherboard based on the AMD 690G chipset. I understand that Nvidia used to be the way to go when it comes to Linux drivers, but with the recent efforts from AMD/ATI on their graphics drivers, is it time to consider a AMD/ATI based solution?

[Michael]

Are you looking for instant gratification or not? Right now depending upon your configuration you could run into a bug or two with the 690G (granted, you could also run into a number of different bugs with NVIDIAs 7050 as well). So basically, the experience may not be perfect with the 690G immediately but once the bugs settle in the next month or two, you could see some really interesting things on that side.

[Kreed]

Are you looking for instant gratification or not? Right now depending upon your configuration you could run into a bug or two with the 690G (granted, you could also run into a number of different bugs with NVIDIAs 7050 as well). So basically, the experience may not be perfect with the 690G immediately but once the bugs settle in the next month or two, you could see some really interesting things on that side.

I think I would prefer instant gratification. I am sure AMD will come good with their Linux drivers in time. I am just concerned that "the next month or two" will turn into "the next year or two". By that time, I will probably be ready for an upgrade or a new system.

Another thing driving my decision is the temperature of the chipset. From what I've read the North Bridge on the Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H (which is arguably the best 690G uATX motherboard around) can get really hot. I don't think the Abit AN-M2HD is as bad. From a silence perspective, the AN-M2HD might be a better choice. I am still reading up on the GA-MA69GM-S2H to see if it's capable of controlling the CPU and System Fan speed as well as undervolting the CPU.

Edit: I was just reading a thread on the GA-MA69GM-S2H at SilentPCReview and it looks as if undervolting is possible using an unofficial BIOS version (F3A) from Gigabyte. If undervolting isn't possible through the BIOS, I am assuming it can be achieved through software in Linux, like CrystalCPUID in Windows?

[Michael]

If undervolting isn't possible through the BIOS, I am assuming it can be achieved through software in Linux, like CrystalCPUID in Windows?

No, that's not currently possible unless you're just talking like Cool 'n' Quiet Technology or Enhanced Intel SpeedStep. But unfortunately Linux lacks a variety of the mobo tweaking utilities that are available on WIndows.

[Kreed]

Ok, just read a comment at Newegg about the Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H board that may just sway my decision towards the Abit AN-M2HD board:

"This board disables the AMD CPU's hardware virtualization feature. None of the gigabyte documentation I have found reflects this, however, after contacting support I was informed there was no way to turn this feature on. This is a problem because I cannot run fully virtualized machines under Xen."

I am looking to run Windows in a VM under Linux using KVM, Xen or Vmware. If the CPU hardware Virtualization feature is turned off, I will lose any benefit I will gain in choosing an AMD CPU over a similarly priced Intel CPU (E4XXX or E2XXX series). Hardware Virtualization is only supported in Intel E6XXX (or above) series.

[platform]

Another thing driving my decision is the temperature of the chipset. From what I've read the North Bridge on the Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H (which is arguably the best 690G uATX motherboard around) can get really hot. I don't think the Abit AN-M2HD is as bad.
Actually, it is. If you won't take my word, then check this review:

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/motherboards/abit-an-m2hd/4

After running RTHDRIBL for a few minutes (~20), the chipset heatsink got nice and toasty before a full system crash, which didn’t happen when a separate graphics card was used. The second, larger heatsink doesn’t heat up at all and is in a better place for case ventilation to cool it. I would either advice an add-in GPU, or a tiny fan on the northbridge, or some efficient case cooling. Temperature readings from the northbridge can hit the high 60s which can’t be good for the silicon beneath.


The problem with modern IGP's like 690G and 7050/7025 is that they put out very much heat, and there's very little the mainboard manufacturers can do about it, except throw in some special cooling solution (increases price) or disable some features of the chip (not good for customers). These chips would probably be better off with active cooling, but active cooling isn't usually well received by customers.

Another problem with AN-M2HD is the VGA connector which is very thinly attached, and can break easily. AN-M2 doesn't have this problem, because it has a DVI connector under the VGA connector.