CrunchBang Linux

faffmeister

Member

Registered: 2012-07-30

Posts: 32

Slow graphics using Radeon open source driver

Suspect I'm on a loser here.

I have a dual core i5 Toshiba Satellite L505 laptop with 4G of RAM and ATI RV710 (HD 4500 /5100 series) graphics.

I used to use the fglrx driver but since installing #! a few weeks ago I have now hit the problem that from June 2012, my ATI graphics are no longer supported.

I tried using smxi as described here:

http://crunchbanglinux.org/forums/topic … s-drivers/

which just leaves me with the open source Radeon driver as my only option.

I am using Kicad for electronics schematic capture and PCB layout and have had to abandon using the laptop because the graphics updating is so slow. It takes several seconds to keep up with zoom actions. Which is utterly useless since there's an awful lot of that in using tools like Kicad.

I'm now running everything on a dual core Athlon desktop with a modest Nvidia graphics card from about 2008 and it really flies.

But, back to the laptop.

My question is: have I missed something in how to set up graphics RAM options or whatever  using the OS Radeon driver?

Thanks.

p.s. does anyone know if it's possible to replace the ATI graphics in a laptop with anything else ... even a cockroach holding a pencil?

el_koraco

#!/loony/bun

From: inside Ed

Registered: 2011-07-25

Posts: 4,644

Re: Slow graphics using Radeon open source driver

I suggest you install Ubuntu 12.04, as it will have five years worth of support for the Catalyst 12.4 driver, which is in the repositories. Nothing will help you in Debian and gang. Maybe try installing the package firmware-linux-nonfree for a slight 3D improvement, but that's not much.

Your best bet would be to install Windows.

el_koraco

#!/loony/bun

From: inside Ed

Registered: 2011-07-25

Posts: 4,644

Re: Slow graphics using Radeon open source driver

Alternatively, check the machine's BIOS/UEFI firmware, you may be in luck and may be able to turn off the dedicated GPU, and run only on the integrated Intel one (if your i5 is Sandy Bridge, not Nehalem or whatever that line was called).

Last edited by el_koraco (2012-10-08 10:55:10)

Erinsfan

#! CrunchBanger

From: At a terminal

Registered: 2011-01-28

Posts: 148

Re: Slow graphics using Radeon open source driver

I have had to pin various packages as NVidia have stopped supporting my card. It means I never have to upgrade ever again but the open source module is dire on my machine.

Am sure there is an older Catalyst version (12.4) lurking around in a dark corner of the 'Net somewhere. If you don't want to go for the Ubuntu route, install the older package and pin it.

---

Enjoying a good !#

rizzeh

#! Member

Registered: 2011-01-10

Posts: 54

Re: Slow graphics using Radeon open source driver

I suggest you install Ubuntu 12.04, as it will have five years worth of support for the Catalyst 12.4 driver, which is in the repositories.

+1 to ubuntu and ATI. Ended up with this solution too, sadly had to bale on debian for the-other-half's ATI laptop but biggest surprise was that Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is pretty solid OS. Unity is not to everyone's taste but it works well as designed. ATI drivers was two click install.