8500 support

Zardon · May 10, 2002, 06:06 PM

im actually posting this more as a question for all you linux experts out there.

just how well is the Radeon 8500 card supported in Linux, anyone care to enligthen me?

UberLord · May 10, 2002, 06:22 PM

2D is working really well in the XFree86 4.2.0 release - which should be included in all major distribtutions by know except for Debian which is traditionally about 6 months behind major releases.

Generic 4.2.0 has no 3D support. Interestingly, it does try to initialise the Rage Theater chip - if this is the DVD decoder part of the 8500 then its good that they're trying to make it work with Linux, otherwise ya boo sucks.

According to hi_ping the latest CVS of DRI (the 3D rendering interface between X and OpenGL) has some support for the 8500. So, we should see enough support for games (UT, Quake3, etc) in the next release of XFree86.

Just one minor bug with my software/system/whatever. Occasionally things get "left" on the screen. This is very apparernt in the screensavers (2D) but thankfully very rare elsewhere.

So, support is very good atm

Zardon · May 10, 2002, 07:22 PM

sounds like linux is a worthwhile alternative. and worth experimenting with.

are Nvidia cards supported as well, like the GF4 and is it comparible to the 8500 support, any ideas?

high_ping · May 10, 2002, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
sounds like linux is a worthwhile alternative. and worth experimenting with.

are Nvidia cards supported as well, like the GF4 and is it comparible to the 8500 support, any ideas?

nVidia ports their own drivers to linux, something that ATI should be doing. The only thing is that you need special nVidia glx libraries and such. Most new distros have them, you just need to install the source.

Zardon · May 10, 2002, 07:32 PM

well lets hope ATI get their act together

Mize · May 11, 2002, 02:47 AM

Matrox has their own linux drivers (and install proggie)...hmm...the 14th could be a very interesting day. I've been needing to try SuSE.

Mize

baz8080 · May 29, 2002, 04:36 PM

From what I gather 4.3.0 will have basic support for 3d with the 8500. The mainstream branch for the original radeon/7500 seems to becoming a lot more mature also.

then again you can go the professional route and pay for your driver (eek!)
http://www.xig.com

May 10, 2002, 06:06 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	8500 support im actually posting this more as a question for all you linux experts out there. just how well is the Radeon 8500 card supported in Linux, anyone care to enligthen me?

May 10, 2002, 06:22 PM	#2
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 70	2D is working really well in the XFree86 4.2.0 release - which should be included in all major distribtutions by know except for Debian which is traditionally about 6 months behind major releases. Generic 4.2.0 has no 3D support. Interestingly, it does try to initialise the Rage Theater chip - if this is the DVD decoder part of the 8500 then its good that they're trying to make it work with Linux, otherwise ya boo sucks. According to hi_ping the latest CVS of DRI (the 3D rendering interface between X and OpenGL) has some support for the 8500. So, we should see enough support for games (UT, Quake3, etc) in the next release of XFree86. Just one minor bug with my software/system/whatever. Occasionally things get "left" on the screen. This is very apparernt in the screensavers (2D) but thankfully very rare elsewhere. So, support is very good atm __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

May 11, 2002, 02:47 AM	#6
Mize The quiet one Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 150 Rep Power: 0	Matrox has their own linux drivers (and install proggie)...hmm...the 14th could be a very interesting day. I've been needing to try SuSE. Mize __________________ Rage3D > Voodoo 2 / TNT > Voodoo 3 3000 > Voodoo 5 5500 > GeForce 3 Ti200 > Radeon 8500 > Radeon 9700 Pro > Radeon X1800 XT > GeForce 8800 GTS > Radeon HD 5870 > Geforce GTX 580 #1 (died) > Geforce GTX 580 #2 (died) > 2x6970 in CFX > 2xGTX 580 3GB in SLI (fingers crossed)

May 10, 2002, 07:22 PM	Thread Starter #3
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	sounds like linux is a worthwhile alternative. and worth experimenting with. are Nvidia cards supported as well, like the GF4 and is it comparible to the 8500 support, any ideas?

May 10, 2002, 07:32 PM	Thread Starter #5
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	well lets hope ATI get their act together

May 29, 2002, 04:36 PM	#7
baz8080 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	From what I gather 4.3.0 will have basic support for 3d with the 8500. The mainstream branch for the original radeon/7500 seems to becoming a lot more mature also. then again you can go the professional route and pay for your driver (eek!) http://www.xig.com