The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

bmentink · 2012-11-07 21:51:40

Hi Guys,

I Have recently replaced my noisy fan based NVIDIA card with a fanless RADEON card (HD5450) that has < 1/2 the power consumption ...
I am running this card on my XBMC media box ...

I have installed the open source xf86-video-ati driver but it is quite jerkey on even normal SD, yet alone playing HD which crashes XBMC.
Why is it so bad ... the wiki states that 2D acceleration is better on the open source driver than Catalyst ..

I have checked that "Hardware Rendering" is on, and it is.

What must I do to fix this. Do I have to install the hardware accelerated version of Catalyst as per the wiki? ... or is there a way to get xf86-video-ati
running better.

Thanks.

Last edited by bmentink (2012-11-07 21:52:19)

Unia · 2012-11-07 22:02:50

I had the same experience when I tried the opensource drivers. I'd suggest giving Catalyst a whirl; it has hardware accelaration via xvba-video.

I think .:B:. is the man you want on this subject, I know he has a media box running with Catalyst and he seems to know his stuff (yes .:B:. I read your stuff on Tweakers.net )

Last edited by Unia (2012-11-07 22:03:14)

jarek · 2012-11-09 17:18:34

I have Dell vostro 3550 with muxxless card (Amd radeon 6630m + intel). catalyst-total-pxp works with this configuration, but I must install old package version. If you had error:

(EE) Screen 1 deleted because of no matching config section.

You have to install xf86-video-intel 2.20.2-2 and xorg-server 1.12.4-1.

1. Download package: http://catalyst.apocalypsus.net/files/x … el-2.20.2/

2. Install it:

 pacman -U xf86-video-intel-2.20.2-2-x86_64.pkg.tar.xz

3. Change /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf

Section "Device"
   Identifier  "Intel Graphics"
   Driver      "intel"
   Option      "AccelMethod"  "uxa"
   Option    "XvPreferOverlay"    "on"
EndSection

4. Add repository to /etc/pacman.conf:

 [xorg112]
Server = http://catalyst.apocalypsus.net/repo/xorg112/$arch

Now update package database:

pacman -Syu

5. Install old package:

yaourt -S xorg112/xorg-server xorg112/xf86-input-evdev

6. Install catalyst-total-pxp

7. Run command:

aticonfig --initial

8. Change IgnorePkg line in /etc/pacman.conf

IgnorePkg   = xf86-video-intel xorg-server xf86-input-evdev

Now everything should work.

Commands for graphic change:

pxp_switch_catalyst amd
pxp_switch_catalyst intel

Thank You Vi0L0 ! For Your Hard Work.

Unia · 2012-11-09 17:19:54

^ Thanks for informing, but all that information is also available in the Wiki

jarek · 2012-11-09 19:52:26

Yes, but people had problem with this. I don't know why, maybe they don't know about all points (like: ignoring package, how to install xorg-server from xorg112 instead latest version)

Last edited by jarek (2012-11-09 19:55:16)

Unia · 2012-11-09 20:26:56

jarek wrote:

Yes, but people had problem with this. I don't know why, maybe they don't know about all points (like: ignoring package, how to install xorg-server from xorg112 instead latest version)

Also provided in the Wiki... except for holding back packages, because that isn't required for Catalyst to work.

Anon11 · 2012-11-10 04:05:09

zoqaeski wrote:

YES! This is exactly what happens to me. Though I must admit I hadn't tried removing `/etc/ati/amdpscdb`, I just get consistent kernel panics on shutdown with any driver >12.8

Created bug after testing with 12.10 at
http://ati.cchtml.com/show_bug.cgi?id=645

If u want to add anything to it , please do
thanks

multiphrenic · 2012-11-10 13:26:21

two questions!

1) Can I use xrandr with the ati catalyst drivers instead of the ugly gui root-requiring x-restarting interface?
2) When I start my tty session is fine, i open up x, and then close out and have two blank screens. i can type startx and press enter to come back to x, so its not frozen, just nothing visible on either screen??

Unia · 2012-11-10 13:28:39

multiphrenic wrote:

two questions!
1) Can I use xrandr with the ati catalyst drivers instead of the ugly gui root-requiring x-restarting interface?

Yes, you can!

multiphrenic wrote:

2) When I start my tty session is fine, i open up x, and then close out and have two blank screens. i can type startx and press enter to come back to x, so its not frozen, just nothing visible on either screen??

This I don't know. How do you close X? Do you use a login manager?

multiphrenic · 2012-11-10 23:33:33

I see a dozen or so DFPxx and a CRT ouput when using arandr on Catalyst drivers though? I used to see just the DVI outputs with the open source drivers.

Not using any DMs. When I first boot, I have no problem seeing the tty console..it's just after loading X that it disappears...

ungaminga · 2012-11-11 00:52:11

jarek wrote:

I have Dell vostro 3550 with muxxless card (Amd radeon 6630m + intel). catalyst-total-pxp works with this configuration, but I must install old package version. If you had error:
(EE) Screen 1 deleted because of no matching config section.
You have to install xf86-video-intel 2.20.2-2 and xorg-server 1.12.4-1.

Is there some information or promises about working muxxless card with xorg 1.13?

joanmanel · 2012-11-11 11:15:56

jarek wrote:

I have Dell vostro 3550 with muxxless card (Amd radeon 6630m + intel). catalyst-total-pxp works with this configuration, but I must install old package version. If you had error:
(EE) Screen 1 deleted because of no matching config section.
You have to install xf86-video-intel 2.20.2-2 and xorg-server 1.12.4-1.
1. Download package: http://catalyst.apocalypsus.net/files/x … el-2.20.2/
2. Install it:
 pacman -U xf86-video-intel-2.20.2-2-x86_64.pkg.tar.xz
3. Change /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf
Section "Device"
   Identifier  "Intel Graphics"
   Driver      "intel"
   Option      "AccelMethod"  "uxa"
   Option    "XvPreferOverlay"    "on"
EndSection
4. Add repository to /etc/pacman.conf:
 [xorg112]
Server = http://catalyst.apocalypsus.net/repo/xorg112/$arch
Now update package database:
pacman -Syu
5. Install old package:
yaourt -S xorg112/xorg-server xorg112/xf86-input-evdev
6. Install catalyst-total-pxp
7. Run command:
aticonfig --initial
8. Change IgnorePkg line in /etc/pacman.conf
IgnorePkg   = xf86-video-intel xorg-server xf86-input-evdev
Now everything should work.

Commands for graphic change:
pxp_switch_catalyst amd
pxp_switch_catalyst intel
Thank You Vi0L0 ! For Your Hard Work.

thank you very much I will try this information this afternoon

Vi0L0 · 2012-11-11 18:48:56

@jarek:
Indeed your step-by-step guide could be usefull for fresh archers.

Just a side note for those steps:

jarek wrote:

4. Add repository to /etc/pacman.conf:
 [xorg112]
Server = http://catalyst.apocalypsus.net/repo/xorg112/$arch
Now update package database:
pacman -Syu
5. Install old package:
yaourt -S xorg112/xorg-server xorg112/xf86-input-evdev
6. Install catalyst-total-pxp
7. Run command:
aticonfig --initial
8. Change IgnorePkg line in /etc/pacman.conf
IgnorePkg   = xf86-video-intel xorg-server xf86-input-evdev

putting [xorg112] above all other repositories of pacman.conf will let you to perform those steps easier because you don't have to ignore xorg pkgs, so let me edit your guide:

5. Install old packages:
pacman -Suu

(...)

8. Change IgnorePkg line in /etc/pacman.conf

IgnorePkg   = xf86-video-intel

Last edited by Vi0L0 (2012-11-11 18:49:22)

Anon11 · 2012-11-12 05:31:30

Update on shutdown issue - Another guy using fedora reported same problem in bugzilla.
He says that the problem happens only if you change to integrated graphics card. So there is a workaround if u need.

ill just stick with 12.8 to avoid 10 degree temp increase

joanmanel · 2012-11-12 16:06:59

, when installing gnome it gave me lots of errors like:
client failed to connect to the d-bus daemon:
unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $display for x11

I dont know if its related

Last edited by joanmanel (2012-11-12 16:24:07)

nob.dir · 2012-11-17 18:25:38

There is now a new beta (see http://phoronix.com/forums/showthread.p … provements! ) .
It must increase performances in Left 4 Dead 2 (from Steam), and thus maybe in other games.

Edit: typo.

Last edited by nob.dir (2012-11-17 18:33:23)

Vi0L0 · 2012-11-18 21:06:01

catalyst 12.11 beta8

nob.dir wrote:

There is now a new beta (see http://phoronix.com/forums/showthread.p … provements! ) .
It must increase performances in Left 4 Dead 2 (from Steam), and thus maybe in other games.
Edit: typo.

Thanks for the info!

I've got some concerns on putting this into AUR and the repo.
Phoronix users got some problems with it, i also have noticed some glitches when watching movies via smplayer.

If someone wants to test it (s)he will have to build catalyst-total package using this source files.

BTW: is there a lucker who was able to play Left 4 Dead or any other steam game?
No matter what steam still complains about beta key which i don't have

Last edited by Vi0L0 (2012-11-18 21:09:19)

ChemBro · 2012-11-18 21:18:26

Vi0L0 wrote:

BTW: is there a lucker who was able to play Left 4 Dead or any other steam game?
No matter what steam still complains about beta key which i don't have

If you want to feel better: Source games don't work with Catalyst legacy 12.6. (And no, I don't have a key and even if I had one, I couldn't play it, because <---).

C5OK5Y · 2012-11-18 21:19:22

Vi0L0 wrote:

BTW: is there a lucker who was able to play Left 4 Dead or any other steam game?
No matter what steam still complains about beta key which i don't have

Launch steam with steam steam://open/games. I have managed to play World of Goo. For the Valve games (L4D2 and TF2) you actually need to have a beta account.

Last edited by C5OK5Y (2012-11-18 21:19:59)

fede1587 · 2012-11-19 11:10:22

Hi Guys,

I recently format my HDD and reinstall ArchLinux, now with Enlightment E17. I have and old ATI card and I must use legacy driver. Before format the HDD, I had Gnome and everything work well. Now the system work, but when I run fgl_gears or virtualbox (o sometimes randomly), the graphics freeze. I see the pointer of the mouse and a "corrupted" video image of the desktop wallpaper...

I don't know what to do, because there is no log of this problem in /var/log....

Thanks a lot and sorry for my bad english!

Vi0L0 · 2012-11-19 21:31:21

ChemBro wrote:

If you want to feel better: Source games don't work with Catalyst legacy 12.6. (And no, I don't have a key and even if I had one, I couldn't play it, because <---).

Ha, nice try but that didn't actually make me feel better. It's ridiculous that amd isn't updating legacy drvrs, hah... AMD wake up!

C5OK5Y wrote:

Launch steam with steam steam://open/games. I have managed to play World of Goo. For the Valve games (L4D2 and TF2) you actually need to have a beta account.

Thanks for shading light on this case.

Sooo... do we really need an update if there's no man with a beta key?

@fede1587:
maybe there's something in ~/.xsession-errors ?

Last edited by Vi0L0 (2012-11-19 21:45:04)

PLANTROON · 2012-11-19 22:45:11

Vi0L0 wrote:

ChemBro wrote:
If you want to feel better: Source games don't work with Catalyst legacy 12.6. (And no, I don't have a key and even if I had one, I couldn't play it, because <---).
Ha, nice try but that didn't actually make me feel better. It's ridiculous that amd isn't updating legacy drvrs, hah... AMD wake up!

YEAH AMD WAKE UP!!! My ATI Radeon HD 3600 is tired of running games on Wine and VMware which usually crashes. And ... why source games wouldn't work with legacy 12.6 driver? This PC could run Mafia 2 on Linux and I was pretty amazed so it will be able to run ANYTHING xD

TF2 should be playable for now ... but not for long http://www.webupd8.org/2012/11/team-for … x-for.html Anyway I am not even gonna try cs of my slow network

Last edited by PLANTROON (2012-11-19 22:47:18)

pbCyanide · 2012-11-19 23:47:14

guys, do u have problems with gnome shell ? with amd blob, I get good performance and I can watch HD movies on C-60 APU, but gnome is very slugish and laggy... with opensource drivers gnome is super fast but i lack the performance... can't have both i guess...

ChemBro · 2012-11-20 10:58:53

Vi0L0 wrote:

ChemBro wrote:
If you want to feel better: Source games don't work with Catalyst legacy 12.6. (And no, I don't have a key and even if I had one, I couldn't play it, because <---).
Ha, nice try but that didn't actually make me feel better. It's ridiculous that amd isn't updating legacy drvrs, hah... AMD wake up!

Do you feel better, if I say, that I can play TF2 with open-source-drivers... with 1 fps? No? Okay.jpg.

thyraios · 2012-11-20 12:07:08

@pbCyanide

I'm experiencing the same thing. Finally switched to Xfce and xbmc

Arch Linux

#4551 2012-11-07 21:51:40

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4552 2012-11-07 22:02:50

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4553 2012-11-09 17:18:34

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4554 2012-11-09 17:19:54

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4555 2012-11-09 19:52:26

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4556 2012-11-09 20:26:56

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4557 2012-11-10 04:05:09

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4558 2012-11-10 13:26:21

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4559 2012-11-10 13:28:39

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4560 2012-11-10 23:33:33

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4561 2012-11-11 00:52:11

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4562 2012-11-11 11:15:56

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4563 2012-11-11 18:48:56

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4564 2012-11-12 05:31:30

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4565 2012-11-12 16:06:59

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4566 2012-11-17 18:25:38

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4567 2012-11-18 21:06:01

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4568 2012-11-18 21:18:26

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4569 2012-11-18 21:19:22

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4570 2012-11-19 11:10:22

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4571 2012-11-19 21:31:21

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4572 2012-11-19 22:45:11

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4573 2012-11-19 23:47:14

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4574 2012-11-20 10:58:53

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

#4575 2012-11-20 12:07:08

Re: The AMD/ATI Bar & Grill

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