AMD 790FX Phenom Chipset On Linux

AMD's 790FX On Linux:

To cut to the chase, we haven't had any issues with the Gigabyte MA790FX-DS5 on Linux. Using the 2.6.22-based Ubuntu 7.10, the desktop LiveCD had worked and had no problems detecting the hard disk or any other issues. Once installed to the hard drive, we had no problems either. Granted, the 790FX is new while the SB600 southbridge has been supported under Linux for sometime. We had also tested Fedora 8 and other recent Linux 2.6.21 and later distributions with all positive results. While we hadn't any Linux compatibility problems with Intel's X38 either, this is great to see the AMD 790FX running on Linux without issues.

For Microsoft Windows customers, AMD has produced OverDrive software, which allows for extensive tweaking and overclocking for this enthusiast platform. As of yet, however, there is no official or unofficial programs designed for tweaking the AMD 7-Series Chipsets on Linux. AMD's Graphics Product Group as of late has been very open-source friendly, while any Linux customers are currently left in the dark for OverDrive functionality on their processors/chipsets and graphics cards. Hopefully this will change. Using LM_Sensors 2.10 with the MA790FX-DS5, we were able to detect the CPU die temperature and using the it8781-isa module had various temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages. At the moment, CrossFire / CrossFireX also isn't supported by any Linux drivers.