AMD Releases Catalyst 14.1 Beta Linux Graphics Driver

[blackout23]

If AMD doesn't implement Mantle on LInux in the short term they practically killed Linux gaming, since people have less reason to switch, now that they have Mantle on Windows and 20+ games in the pipeline. From what I have read many people (Windows gamers) consider buying an AMD setup now for BF4, Thief & Co. and future games.

Very unlikely that they will support it on Linux by the time Steam Machines launch this year. If they ever support it. According to AMDs Twitter account they are conducting a "Feasability Study" if it is possible. So they have practically done nothing at this point.

[entropy]

did run valley benchmark on my 5850 and see no difference between this and 13.12. it may be smoother. but average, min, max is same. IMHO they optimalize only for GCN cards now.

Those older ASICs are quite optimized by now.
GCN chips, on the other hand, are (still) in dire need of optimizations IIRC from Phoronix benchmarks.

[Dukenukemx]

Those older ASICs are quite optimized by now.
GCN chips, on the other hand, are (still) in dire need of optimizations IIRC from Phoronix benchmarks.

GCN as been out since 2011 and it's in dire need of optimizations still? Up until these drivers, a 5850/6850/7850 all benchmarked relatively the same in performance, at the same clocks.

I still maintain that the 5000/6000/7000 cards aren't that different in architecture.

[Kemosabe]

sorry double post

[Kemosabe]

Very unlikely that they will support it on Linux by the time Steam Machines launch this year. If they ever support it. According to AMDs Twitter account they are conducting a "Feasability Study" if it is possible. So they have practically done nothing at this point.

I don't get it. Really. I don't get it.
Is it really that economic to give a fuck about x% of customers?

[nadro]

Wow this is incredible guys!

Just ran the valley benchmark to see if there's some improvements:

Results Catalyst 13.12:
FPS:
15.2
Score:
634
Min FPS:
7.8
Max FPS:
27.9

And the Catalyst 14.1 driver:
FPS:
26.9
Score:
1127
Min FPS:
14.2
Max FPS:
41.3

Both with preset "Extreme HD" @1920x1080.

No micro stuttering at all and even the Desktop experience is a lot smoother.

Very good job AMD devs!

I also see better performance in Unigine Tropics on A10-7850 (2400MHz RAM) with Catalyst 14.1.

Ubuntu 14.04 x64 - Catalyst 13.30 (Kaveri Beta)
FPS: 36.8
Scores: 928
Min FPS: 14.9
Max FPS: 91.9

Windows 8 x64 - Catalyst 13.30 (Kaveri Beta) [Windows 8.1 doesn't run on this drivers]
FPS: 40.2
Scores: 1014
Min FPS: 11.2
Max FPS: 87.5

Ubuntu 14.04 x64 - Catalyst 14.1
FPS: 41.2
Scores: 1039
Min FPS: 9.4
Max FPS: 87.1

Windows 8.1 x64 - Catalyst 14.1
FPS: 41.6
Scores: 1047
Min FPS: 9.3
Max FPS: 82.9

On Catalyst 14.1 a Linux result is the same as on Windows. Now I'm checking Steam games, but just with 14.1 and Ubuntu.

[flim]

Wow this is incredible guys!

Just ran the valley benchmark to see if there's some improvements:

Results Catalyst 13.12:
FPS:
15.2
Score:
634
Min FPS:
7.8
Max FPS:
27.9

And the Catalyst 14.1 driver:
FPS:
26.9
Score:
1127
Min FPS:
14.2
Max FPS:
41.3

Both with preset "Extreme HD" @1920x1080.

No micro stuttering at all and even the Desktop experience is a lot smoother.

Very good job AMD devs!

Some Windows 8.1 tests:

Catalyst 13.12 (D3D11):
FPS:
35.1
Score:
1468
Min FPS:
15.2
Max FPS:
67.6

Catalyst 13.12 (OpenGL):
FPS:
15.7
Score:
657
Min FPS:
6.1
Max FPS:
41.2

Catalyst 14.1 (D3D11):
FPS:
35.0
Score:
1466
Min FPS:
17.7
Max FPS:
66.9

Catalyst 14.1 (OpenGL):
FPS:
28.3
Score:
1185
Min FPS:
13.8
Max FPS:
55.4

[dlq84]

I always thought that the minor version is for the month of the year this proves that it's for the release number within the year.

No, it was supposed to be release 31/1 but was delayed, that's why it's 14.1 and not 14.2.

[nightmarex]

hd 7970

It's possible it's a GCN upgrade as my fps in heaven went up 20%. only netting an 11% score difference but I will take it. Played a campaign of L4D2 still get loading stutter but game it's self is mostly smooth ~250 FPS full HD everything MAX... I don't remember it looking that good but it's been a while.

[blackout23]

Some Windows 8.1 tests:

*snip*

You should run HL2: Lost Coast Benchmark on Linux with both drivers. Might give an indication how well other Source Engine games will perform.