Updated and Optimized Ubuntu Free Graphics Drivers

[hiryu]

Using this PPA, I'm getting about 41 fps with doom3 on a core 2 quad 3.0 ghz and a sapphire radeon 4870 at 1280x1024. I'll need to check on the other settings later when I get home from work, but I'm using some sort of FSAA and anistropic filtering as well. I must say the driver devs are doing an amazing job. The performance of the open source drivers at this stage is fantastic. I'm not an expert and didn't look for any flaws in particular, but the image quality also seems to be very good as well.

The desktop performance with the open source radeon drivers is also quite good. It provides a smoother experience than my primary desktop which has superior hardware (3.33 ghz i7 980x + nvidia GTX 580). This may be due to the fact I haven't manually changed the power settings for the radeon, and I believe the default is currently to run the card at the highest setting. In about a year when it's time for me to upgrade my video card in my primary box, I think I'll finally be able to get a radeon. As much as I love gaming, I think the 3d performance is already good enough given the lack of games in linux (and in a year from now it should be even better). At this point, my only real concern with buying a radeon is the power management so as to not run up my electric bill.

Thanks for an awesome PPA!

[curaga]

At this point, my only real concern with buying a radeon is the power management so as to not run up my electric bill.

Given how little a 7750 consumes, I doubt you'll notice the few watts difference in a year

[hiryu]

Given how little a 7750 consumes, I doubt you'll notice the few watts difference in a year

But it seems a new driver needs to be created for these cards (with r600g being used as the base). I'm wondering how long this will take to get to the relative maturity of the r600g driver. I wouldn't mind replacing the 4870 in my old box *now* (which is now the family computer). Being 3 generations ahead, the 7750 is probably faster than the 4870, and it's certainly going to run cooler and use less power.

[Vincenzov]

Hi, error compiling mesa?

:-(

[oibaf]

Hi, error compiling mesa?

:-(

Yeah, and the error message is useless..., so no update for a while.

[Vincenzov]

But you are italian?

I always VDPAU updates :-)

[Vincenzov]

hi Fabio, how many days before a possible update? thanks

[oibaf]

But you are italian?

100% Italiano!

how many days before a possible update?

I should find out what's the problem, but I am quite busy actually. As usual patches are welcome...

[Vincenzov]

Ottimo, finalmente qualcuno mi capisce:-)
OK aspettiamo con calma.

[oibaf]

OK, I am working on it: new dependencies and changes after mesa automake conversion...