ATI Radeon X1000/X2000

With the ATI Radeon X1000 (R500) and ATI Radeon HD 2000 (R600) series this is where the curve ball comes. There is no support. While the R500 series is being reverse engineered, the only option right now for Linux desktop users running these current-generation graphics cards is to use the AMD Linux Catalyst "fglrx" display driver. The problem with the fglrx driver is that it doesn't support AIGLX and namely the GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap extension. Without this support you cannot run Beryl or Compiz directly. You can run XGL and then run Beryl or Compiz, but that is not a path we endorse. Fortunately, the needed support will come. The fglrx support for AIGLX will also allow R300 and R400 owners to have an improved desktop experience through faster acceleration using this driver. When this support does finally come you can expect a very fluid desktop experience with Beryl or Compiz using the R300/400/500/600 graphics cards. When will this support arrive? Well, stay tuned to Phoronix to find out when these Linux users can finally rejoice.