AMD APU On Linux: Gallium3D Can Be 80%+ As Fast As Catalyst

[curaga]

Is this true with nvidia?

Sorry, I don't know. Should've said "all AMD Linux drivers".

[carewolf]

Nice article, thanks !

... and before anyone asking about llvm 3.4 (mesa c4cf48 used in the test was compiled with 3.3), see the discussion here: http://phoronix.com/forums/showthrea...-Upgrades-Easy

So, wouldn't it be even faster with gcc? (llvm compiles faster, but gcc produces faster code)

[Calinou]

Is this true with nvidia?

I think it is too, but it's not like you'll be below 60 FPS with most modern graphic cards. It is more CPU than GPU dependent.

[liam]

Ah yes, the i7-4950hq, which costs $750, is slightly faster than the AMD A10 which costs $99. So yeah. If money is no object, you can get an intel system that can beat AMD's APU graphically, but if you are on a budget, you can get something that is almost as fast for $650 less.

For computational workloads (including opencl) the Intel was much faster, not just a little faster. Graphically it was only a little faster iirc.

[oibaf]

So, wouldn't it be even faster with gcc? (llvm compiles faster, but gcc produces faster code)

Mesa requires llvm libraries (for llvmpipe and radeonsi, for example), but all the code is compiled with gcc only.

[Guest]

I think it is too, but it's not like you'll be below 60 FPS with most modern graphic cards. It is more CPU than GPU dependent.

Yeah, you're right. However I experience strange stuttering with nvidia drivers in Valve games. I had similar experience with catalyst, but never with Open Source radeon drivers.

[ua=42]

For computational workloads (including opencl) the Intel was much faster, not just a little faster. Graphically it was only a little faster iirc.

Ah. I thought we were talking about graphics. Not opencl. Two very different use cases.

[mmstick]

I understand the wanting a longer battery life. But for me I bought an a4 laptop and spent an extra $100 for an extended battery and when I'm browsing the net or typing I can get 8hours of run time. If i'm playing 3d games I get 4 hours.

I'm kind of curious how many more hours the intel gets for the $$$$ I saved.

Not much, most of the energy consumed in a laptop is actually from the display.

[carewolf]

Not much, most of the energy consumed in a laptop is actually from the display.

Actually a lot. I have a Thinkpad T420 with Optimimus. It gets 7hours on battery in Windows and about 2hours in Linux by default. The main difference is that the GPU is not throttled down in Linux. If I force the GPU off I get 5 hours on battery in Linux. So disabling the Nvidia GPU (that wasn't even used), makes the battery life go from 2hours to 5. It is a MAJOR drain and makes bigger impact than turning off the screen.

[intellivision]

For computational workloads (including opencl) the Intel was much faster, not just a little faster. Graphically it was only a little faster iirc.

If you want to drop $750 on a CPU. Most won't.