Making my OS match my hardware

[neonic]

Hello, I am new to linux and I have recently installed ubuntu 10.04 on my five year old desktop. Unfortunately, the official linux driver for my ATI X1600 card doesn't seem to support this ubuntu. There's an open source driver running now, but 3D applications run much slower than originally under windows. (which I can't seem to install on my sata raid harddisk anymore)

It's even so slow that I can't use those 3D applications anymore.

I came to the conclusion that my computer is just too old for such a modern system as ubuntu 10.04. So I started looking for another version of linux.

I tried the Linux Distribution Chooser, it pointed me at OpenSUSE 11.2. But I don't know, this program still looks kind of new. Too new for my computer.

I think that my computer needs an older version of linux, so that all the hardware will work properly. So I'd like to know if there's an older version of ubuntu/linux that still supports my hardware.

My computer was assembled from the following parts:
- DVDI LiteOn 16x/48x IDE bulk
- RAM 512 MB DDR/400 PC3200 ValueSelect
- HDDI 200GB 7200 Maxtor 6B200M0 8MB/SATA
- MB MSI k8T Neo2-F Athlon 64/939/DDR
- CPU AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0Ghz/so939 BOX
- X GRA Sapphire R9600XT TV/DVI 256MB L-re

Does anyone know any distributions that fit this hardware? Some older versions of ubuntu perhaps? Something that allows me to install drivers that make 3D applications run a t normal speed?

If someone knows about a Distribution Chooser that takes hardware into account, I'd also like to know.

Much appreciated!

[zenwalker]

. . .
I came to the conclusion that my computer is just too old for such a modern system as ubuntu 10.04. So I started looking for another version of linux . . .

I think that my computer needs an older version of linux, so that all the hardware will work properly. So I'd like to know if there's an older version of ubuntu/linux that still supports my hardware.

My computer was assembled from the following parts:
- DVDI LiteOn 16x/48x IDE bulk
- RAM 512 MB DDR/400 PC3200 ValueSelect
- HDDI 200GB 7200 Maxtor 6B200M0 8MB/SATA
- MB MSI k8T Neo2-F Athlon 64/939/DDR
- CPU AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0Ghz/so939 BOX
- X GRA Sapphire R9600XT TV/DVI 256MB L-re

Does anyone know any distributions that fit this hardware? Some older versions of ubuntu perhaps? Something that allows me to install drivers that make 3D applications run a t normal speed?

Much appreciated!

Welcome to Linux, neonic!

I would look seriously at LinuxMint9-LXDE*. With 512MB RAM, even openGL will be slow (3-D rendering). So, upgrading your RAM to the max your motherboard will support is important, and probably your most limiting factor.

Should you wish to venture into non-Debian waters, the new PCLinuxOS-LXDE-2010 is worth checking out, as well.

The rest of your hardware doesn't look too bad except your bus speed will be inherently limited with the 939 mobo.
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*Light X11 Desktop Environment will make better use of your limited RAM and speed things up.