[NTLUG:Discuss] Anyone got a new Radeon (with the just released drivers)?

[Steve Baker]

Chris Cox wrote:
> I'm interested in how the Radeon is performing.
> Would be nice if someone has a 9700 Pro... but
> could be any of the newer 9xxx series.  I'm
> curious about any well known 3D benchmark...
> say U2K3 or something like that.

We've been experimenting with them at work (although
we generally use nVidia cards).

Their performance seems pretty good - but (typically
for ATI) the reliability of their drivers leaves a
little to be desired.

I havn't played with their latest driver release - but
from what I've heard, it fixes a BUNCH of problems from
the previous one.

I think their Linux support will get MUCH better in
a few more driver revs - but they have a way to go to
reach the generally solid nVidia drivers.

> I've used the open source dri Radeon drivers
> to drive the laptop I'm bringing to the next
> meeting... there are some glitches, but all
> in all.. everything works quite well.  It's
> got the Radeon Mobility 7500.

The OpenSource drivers seem *WAY* out of date - no
support for many of the Radion's fancy features.

I'd switch to the ATI drivers - unless you are truly
fanatical about having sources for everything (and
I perfectly understand why some people have that view).

> I've been a big fan of Nvidia on Linux for
> the past year... but with some of the recent
> flak and questions around Nvidia, I'm curious
> about people's experience with the newer
> Radeon's in particular.  Is it time to look
> to ATI again?

Yes - it is.

I'm rather excited about some of the new 3Dlabs
cards too - they are pricey but support OpenGL 2.0
which is a HUGE deal for me.

---------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------
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