[arch-general] Is ATI more... "compatible"?
Hello fellow archers, I have an ASUS GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II 2GB and 2 monitors. I love gaming (battlefield and dayz for now, but several game generally, which are not wine-compatible and won't ever be. DirectX 11 and sh*t.) and I want to be able to play on my Arch (dual boot is NOT a solution for me.). I want to achieve GPU passthrough. GT9800 (my old graphics card) on one monitor for linux and GTX660 on the other monitor used by windows. I've tried several months ago to go with Xen GPU passthrough but failed (I did not have much time). I will start all over again in a month and try, KVM gpu passthrough and then (if it fails) xen again. Both KVM and Xen, have better support (if not only) for ATi graphics cards than Nvidia (for the specific chip that I have). Is that true? If yes, I am thinking of selling my NVidia and buying a slightly better ATi. Which one to buy? Thank you for your time :)
AMD cards are not very well supported under Arch. I use an AMD card and have to use Vi0l0's unofficial repository for the latest catalyst drivers, as they are not available from the official repository. Occasionally an update will break the driver and I have to recompile the kernel module. Other then that, the quality of the drivers is OK. Games run noticeably smoother in Windows than under Linux, I don't know if that's a driver issue or games/engine not being optimized under Linux. On Sat, May 3, 2014 at 9:41 AM, Dimitris Zervas <dzervas@dzervas.gr> wrote:
Hello fellow archers,
I have an ASUS GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II 2GB and 2 monitors. I love gaming (battlefield and dayz for now, but several game generally, which are not wine-compatible and won't ever be. DirectX 11 and sh*t.) and I want to be able to play on my Arch (dual boot is NOT a solution for me.). I want to achieve GPU passthrough. GT9800 (my old graphics card) on one monitor for linux and GTX660 on the other monitor used by windows. I've tried several months ago to go with Xen GPU passthrough but failed (I did not have much time). I will start all over again in a month and try, KVM gpu passthrough and then (if it fails) xen again. Both KVM and Xen, have better support (if not only) for ATi graphics cards than Nvidia (for the specific chip that I have). Is that true? If yes, I am thinking of selling my NVidia and buying a slightly better ATi. Which one to buy?
Thank you for your time :)
Le samedi 3 mai 2014, 10:35:24 Ryan Capote a écrit :
AMD cards are not very well supported under Arch. I use an AMD card and have to use Vi0l0's unofficial repository for the latest catalyst drivers, as they are not available from the official repository. Occasionally an update will break the driver and I have to recompile the kernel module. Other then that, the quality of the drivers is OK. Games run noticeably smoother in Windows than under Linux, I don't know if that's a driver issue or games/engine not being optimized under Linux.
ATI cards are very well supported on Arch, crappy software not! Mesa drivers are enough to play games under linux, have less pain with kernel or xserver upgrades. -- Laurent Carlier ArchLinux Developer http://www.archlinux.org
I am not speaking about native linux gaming. Mesa is NOT enough at all. propriety is needed. But that's not the subject. I am speaking about GPU passthrough. Is ATi better supported by Xen or KVM passthrough than nvidia. On May 3, 2014 8:49 PM, "Laurent Carlier" <lordheavym@gmail.com> wrote:
Le samedi 3 mai 2014, 10:35:24 Ryan Capote a écrit :
AMD cards are not very well supported under Arch. I use an AMD card and have to use Vi0l0's unofficial repository for the latest catalyst
drivers,
as they are not available from the official repository. Occasionally an update will break the driver and I have to recompile the kernel module. Other then that, the quality of the drivers is OK. Games run noticeably smoother in Windows than under Linux, I don't know if that's a driver issue or games/engine not being optimized under Linux.
ATI cards are very well supported on Arch, crappy software not!
Mesa drivers are enough to play games under linux, have less pain with kernel or xserver upgrades.
-- Laurent Carlier ArchLinux Developer http://www.archlinux.org
I am not speaking about native linux gaming. (Mesa is NOT enough at all. propriety is needed, unless you play cs 1.6. But that's not the subject.) I am speaking about GPU passthrough. Is ATi better supported by Xen or KVM *GPU passthrough* than nvidia. Linux is not involved at all. The "good" card will be passed to windows through one of the two virtualization solutions.
On Sat, 2014-05-03 at 10:35 -0700, Ryan Capote wrote:
AMD cards are not very well supported under Arch.
The proprietary driver isn't well supported by ATI, it's not an Arch issue. The answer to the question in the subject is, no, if you need the proprietary driver you will notice that someday ATI's driver for your card only is compatible to an outdated version of X. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AMD_Catalyst#Xorg_repositories NVIDIA's proprietary driver support is better. Btw. I always have both available an ATI and a NVIDI graphics, assumed one graphics should cause issues, I simply switch between the graphics. However, I only use the open source drivers, but in combination with linux-rt.
On May 3, 2014 8:57 PM, "Ralf Mardorf" <ralf.mardorf@rocketmail.com> wrote:
On Sat, 2014-05-03 at 10:35 -0700, Ryan Capote wrote:
AMD cards are not very well supported under Arch.
The proprietary driver isn't well supported by ATI, it's not an Arch issue.
The answer to the question in the subject is, no, if you need the proprietary driver you will notice that someday ATI's driver for your card only is compatible to an outdated version of X. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AMD_Catalyst#Xorg_repositories
NVIDIA's proprietary driver support is better. Btw. I always have both available an ATI and a NVIDI graphics, assumed one graphics should cause issues, I simply switch between the graphics. However, I only use the open source drivers, but in combination with linux-rt.
Arch will NOT handle the ATi card at all. It will just handle the 9800GT with opensource drivers.
I am speaking about GPU passthrough. Is ATi better supported by Xen or KVM passthrough than nvidia.
You are on fresh ground here. Please let us know once you know more.
Arch will NOT handle the ATi card at all.
I use Radeon 7870 with 4 monitors. HL2EP2 from Steam works great on highest details. Sure, that's not Battlefield, but there's no version of BF for Linux. :( Xonotic works on High details. Highest details fail but guys are already working hard on fixing this. https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=73320 Btw, are there any native Linux games with decent graphics like Battlefield 3/4, ARMA, Bioshock Infinite and such? -- Kind regards, Damian Nowak StratusHost www.AtlasHost.eu
Am 03.05.2014 22:09, schrieb Nowaker:
I am speaking about GPU passthrough. Is ATi better supported by Xen or KVM passthrough than nvidia.
I do not think it makes a difference, if nvidia or amd/ati is passed through, but dont know it for sure. There is a thread in the forum: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=162768
On May 3, 2014 11:17 PM, "Simon Brand" <simon.brand@postadigitale.de> wrote:
Am 03.05.2014 22:09, schrieb Nowaker:
I am speaking about GPU passthrough. Is ATi better supported by Xen or KVM passthrough than nvidia.
I do not think it makes a difference, if nvidia or amd/ati is passed through, but dont know it for sure.
It kinda makes (not sure). I have not get my head around yet...
There is a thread in the forum: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=162768
I've seen the thread, but thanks anyway :)
Btw, are there any native Linux games with decent graphics like Battlefield 3/4, ARMA, Bioshock Infinite and such?
Nah... Maybe unreal tournament, but not sure.
Hi, Am 03.05.2014 19:57, schrieb Ralf Mardorf:
NVIDIA's proprietary driver support is better.
I can't attest to whether or not it is better, because I haven't touched ATI graphic cards for quite a while, but in my experience NVIDIA's proprietary driver sucks big time. Last time I checked it didn't support KMS natively and broke all sorts of stuff (e.g. terminals, resolution). I've got a much smoother experience with nouveau, although it obviously isn't as great as the proprietary one in terms of power management (e.g. battery life) and performance. Best regards, Karol Babioch
On Sun, 2014-05-04 at 12:06 +0200, Karol Babioch wrote:
Am 03.05.2014 19:57, schrieb Ralf Mardorf:
NVIDIA's proprietary driver support is better.
I can't attest to whether or not it is better, because I haven't touched ATI graphic cards for quite a while, but in my experience NVIDIA's proprietary driver sucks big time. Last time I checked it didn't support KMS natively and broke all sorts of stuff (e.g. terminals, resolution).
I've got a much smoother experience with nouveau, although it obviously isn't as great as the proprietary one in terms of power management (e.g. battery life) and performance.
Hi, as I already said, since I use linux-rt I prefer nouveau too. Using the proprietary driver with linux-rt became impossible for me, while I'm aware about the workarounds. However, I never was able to get the proprietary driver working for my ATI card, for what kernel ever, but with older linux-rt and always with vanilla linux the NVIDI proprietary worked like a charm. When nouveau was introduced, it didn't work for my card, it still didn't work when nv already was dropped. Last time I used it, nouveau was very pleasant. At the moment I'm using the ATI. [rocketmouse@archlinux ~]$ grep Driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf ### Available Driver options are:- Driver "radeon" #Driver "nvidia" #Driver "nv" #Driver "nouveau" #Driver "vesa" Btw. vesa is a PITA. Regards, Ralf
PS: With linux-rt and the radeon driver real transparency as a desktop effect does cause slow motion when moving windows. Fortunately I don't need it, I even don't know, if the WM I currently prefer does support real transparency, or even faked transparency. It's Jwm. Google Earth does work well with both, nouveau and radeon, but I've got the impression, that it's a little bit smoother for the NVIDIA card.
On Sun, 2014-05-04 at 12:39 +0200, Ralf Mardorf wrote:
PS:
With linux-rt and the radeon driver real transparency as a desktop effect does cause slow motion when moving windows. Fortunately I don't need it, I even don't know, if the WM I currently prefer does support real transparency, or even faked transparency. It's Jwm.
Google Earth does work well with both, nouveau and radeon, but I've got the impression, that it's a little bit smoother for the NVIDIA card.
PPS: Oops, I've forgotten that I'm using Jwm's <Opacity> option for some things, so there is some kind of transparency, that doesn't cause issues. I never used Jwm with my NVIDIA card.
Guys please. This is -->**__NOT__**<-- the subject. No NVidia vs ATi Arch support debate. Arch WILL NOT HANDLE the good card (currently nvidia gtx660). It will just hand it to the VM (windows) via VGA passthrough (either Xen or KVM will be used). Is that impossible to do with my NVidia? If it is possible, is it easier with the ATi equivalent? Do not ruin the subject please.
It will just hand it to the VM (windows) via VGA passthrough (either Xen or KVM will be used). Is that impossible to do with my NVidia? If it is possible, is it easier with the ATi equivalent?
It was already answered. You would be handing the PCI device over to windows (since you have another dedicated to linux), so the make does not matter in this case. If you can accomplish that with your current card, than chances are you can do it with any other. What matters is the kernel (and probably motherboard) support for the passing of raw PCI devices, so a better question would be whether to use Xen or KVM and on what motherboard. - -Oliver Temlin
On May 4, 2014 4:27 PM, "Temlin Olivér" <temlin@gmail.com> wrote:
It will just hand it to the VM (windows) via VGA passthrough (either Xen or KVM will be used). Is that impossible to do with my NVidia? If it is possible, is it easier with the ATi equivalent?
It was already answered. You would be handing the PCI device over to windows (since you have
another
dedicated to linux), so the make does not matter in this case. If you can accomplish that with your current card, than chances are you can do it with any other. What matters is the kernel (and probably motherboard) support for the passing of raw PCI devices, so a better question would be whether to use Xen or KVM and on what motherboard.
- -Oliver Temlin I remember that the kernel had problems disabling the card (99% my fault) but generally, after googling my problems back then I saw a kinda better/easier way for the ATi I also remember that you had to make your nvidia chip look like titan (firmware modding), or something like that...
On Sun, May 04, 2014 at 05:53:21PM +0300, Dimitris Zervas wrote:
On May 4, 2014 4:27 PM, "Temlin Olivér" <temlin@gmail.com> wrote:
It will just hand it to the VM (windows) via VGA passthrough (either Xen or KVM will be used). Is that impossible to do with my NVidia? If it is possible, is it easier with the ATi equivalent?
It was already answered. You would be handing the PCI device over to windows (since you have
another
dedicated to linux), so the make does not matter in this case. If you can accomplish that with your current card, than chances are you can do it with any other. What matters is the kernel (and probably motherboard) support for the passing of raw PCI devices, so a better question would be whether to use Xen or KVM and on what motherboard.
- -Oliver Temlin I remember that the kernel had problems disabling the card (99% my fault) but generally, after googling my problems back then I saw a kinda better/easier way for the ATi I also remember that you had to make your nvidia chip look like titan (firmware modding), or something like that...
Read through the xen-users mailing list archive. There's been much discussion on graphics card passthrough and many of its...idiosyncrasies. The particular thing with NVidia cards is (if I recall correctly) that the Geforce drivers do not like handling the memory offsets that are necessary with "virtual" PCIe space. The Quadro/Tesla drivers are OK with that, however, and it just so happens that most of the Quadro/Tesla cards share a (binned) chipset with the Geforce lines. So basically, you take a Geforce and mod it (hardware or software, depending on the card) to trick the Quadro drivers into using it. Definitely do your research and confirm that the card you want to buy is properly supported with Xen passthrough. --Sean
la, 2014-05-03 kello 19:41 +0300, Dimitris Zervas kirjoitti:
I've tried several months ago to go with Xen GPU passthrough but failed (I did not have much time).
Just to make sure, you do have a system (CPU + Motherboard) that supports IOMMU virtualization, don't you? Sadly I do not have any information concerning the actual question you asked.
On May 4, 2014 3:55 PM, "Jesse Jaara" <jesse.jaara@gmail.com> wrote:
la, 2014-05-03 kello 19:41 +0300, Dimitris Zervas kirjoitti:
I've tried several months ago to go with Xen GPU passthrough but failed
(I
did not have much time).
Just to make sure, you do have a system (CPU + Motherboard) that supports IOMMU virtualization, don't you?
Sadly I do not have any information concerning the actual question you asked.
Yes. I have an Asus P9X79 Deluxe mobo with an i7-3820 CPU. Thank you anyway :p
Dimitris, You may find this news interesting: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTY4MTc -- Kind regards, Damian Nowak StratusHost www.AtlasHost.eu
On May 5, 2014 3:11 PM, "Nowaker" <enwukaer@gmail.com> wrote:
Dimitris,
You may find this news interesting: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTY4MTc
-- Kind regards, Damian Nowak StratusHost www.AtlasHost.eu
Will I need a new mobo for this? Or it's just sofware?
participants (10)
-
Dimitris Zervas
-
Jesse Jaara
-
Karol Babioch
-
Laurent Carlier
-
Nowaker
-
Ralf Mardorf
-
Ryan Capote
-
Sean Greenslade
-
Simon Brand
-
Temlin Olivér