topic Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux in Graphics

GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:18:13 GMT

Hello,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems there is absolutely no support for Intel GMA 3650 chipsets on Linux ?

There's a lot of similarities with the GMA500 case, a few years ago for which there is still only very poor

drivers under Linux. The GMA500 was also a chipset from PowerVR painted with Intel colors.

Will it be the same fiasco with this GMA series ?

Or maybe I missed something ?

By the way, I tryed to ask the developpers of PowerVR drivers and they told me to ask Intel support.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

DArce — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:07:51 GMT

Hello,

Most versions of the Linux* operating system include Intel® graphics drivers. Intel recommends checking with your Linux distribution vendor or computer manufacturer for updated drivers.

I suggest you to check the information available on the following article:

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-010512.htm http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-010512.htm

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:22:08 GMT

Hello Diego at Intel,

I suggest you do some actual research before pointing to a webpage that lists other graphics chips than the one in question.

GMA3600 and GMA3650 on atom n2600 and n2800 does not currently have proper support in any linux distribution. Except some experimental closed source drivers in meego linux.

You should put up a BIG WARNING to people planning to use these graphincs chips in linux! Most intel graphics have excellent linux support, but the gma500 and now recently gma3600 and gma3650 have really poor support and closed source drivers.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:51:27 GMT

I wanted to point out your link was not informative at all, but I hesitated cause I didn't want to make an account. I decided to man up and tell you, as the last guy did, that you just blurted out a random link that does not address the problem at all.

What the linux/freebsd community would love would be a graphics card that comes with linux support. I was just about to buy an intel D2700 board the other day because it was fanless, has an intel NIC, and could play 1080p. Then I found out the graphics chip it has doesn't have useable linux drivers. This is basically unacceptable for me... I'l gonna have to wait until Intel HD graphics make it into a fanless motherboard or just go AMD.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

powerarmour — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:48:59 GMT

Would also love to be able to get the GMA 3650 working well under Linux (tested Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, which kinda works in 2D, but has limited resolution options available).

I know there are issues on when/if Imagination Tech ever provide open source graphics support, but even a closed source binary would be nice (other than the one included in Meego 1.2), so we could install it ourselves and get our systems working well.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:40:17 GMT

Ok, I'd really appreciate any statement from Intel representatives whether Linux (but not just Meego) users should or should not delude themself to get the true 2D and 3D support for GMA3650. Please, act professionally and be honest with us.

Unfortunately, though I like my DN2800MT, I'm forced to seek for an alternate product for my Linux-powered HTPC. That's a shame. In case any hope exists for GMA3650 Linux drivers I can wait, but tell me it's not hopeless.

Regards,

Tomek

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:13:26 GMT

Any response possible?

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:41:08 GMT

I am stuck with tens of DN2800MT motherboards that I cannot use because of this nonexistent Linux graphics driver. I would like a response, too.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:08:55 GMT

Let's make it clear: the fb driver (at least in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS) does support the sgx545 even at 1600x1200 but the performance is next to useless. Scrolling windows in Firefox or moving the application windows over the desktop, any screen activity is not acceptable.

Currently I can only use my DN2800MT as a homeserver, not a mediacenter of any kind, though it has a great processor, HDMI, DDR3 and a great potential wasted by Intel's ignorance.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

powerarmour — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:42:56 GMT

Yep, i agree it does seem wasted at the moment. For a fanless system that only consumes <15W it's pretty much the best out there, it's just that PowerVR curse striking again just like it did with GMA 500.

What really rubs salt into the wounds is how good a SGX 545 performs on Android with a weaker ARM processor and a much lower clockrate, yet all we have at the moment on x86 is GPU that can barely display a static 2D image, let alone decent resolution support. Disappointing.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

Ali_R_Intel — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:21:31 GMT

Graphics drivers for the Intel® Atom™ Processors N2600 and N2800 are available for the following supported operating systems:

Windows 7* (32-bit) and Windows Embedded Standard 7*:
- http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Graphics&ProductLine=Netbook+and+Tablet+Graphics&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Graphics+Media+Accelerator+3600+Series&ProdId=3468&LineId=3332&FamilyId=39 Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3600 Series driver
Windows XP* & Windows Embedded Compact 7*:
- Intel® Embedded Media and Graphics Driver 1.12
Linux*:
- MeeGo* driver. These drivers are pre-integrated into the MeeGo and Yocto* images for the MeeGo v1.2 Netbook. The Yocto image uses the MeeGo driver.
  - http://download.meego.com/live/MeeGo:/1.2.0:/CedarTrail:/non-oss/ MeeGo Image RPMsand https://meego.com/devices/netbook/cedartrail-meego-1.2-beta-release-notes Release Notes
  - http://www.yoctoproject.org/download/bsp/intel%C2%AE-atom%E2%84%A2-processor-n2000-and-d2000-series-based-platform-cedar-trail Yocto Image

Ali@Intel

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:36:37 GMT

It's really good that there is a MeeGo/Yocto driver for sgx545, that means Intel is very close to satisfy all Linux users and enable this fantastic hardware be used with no OS boundaries.

The reason why this driver doesn't solve the problem is that extracting it from MeeGo/Yocto doesn't make it work in other Linux distributions (not because Linux is bad, but due to the fact that it's strictly aligned with MeeGo's kernel and Xorg versions). In this form it's unusable outside MeeGo/Yocto.

It seems really like a few steps forward and we all are happy sgx545 users.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:38:41 GMT

@INTEL: I really feel ashamed of choosing to use cedar trail. I was very happy to get cedar trail netbook which could play even 1080p videos and consumed so less power as a reward in an Olympiad. If i had known that cedar trail doesn't have linux drivers, I'd have chosen not to accept the Prize and would have bought a tablet instead of using this useless piece of brick. Is it necessary to use closed source software to enjoy 1080p video? the answer is no. I'd have better chosen and ARM powered tablet or even AMD powered cheap laptops. I am even planning to throw away this brick for whatever price i get, IF YOU DON'T PROVIDE FULL LINUX GRAPHICS SUPPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and buy a tablet made by a local company which at least runs android and has Mali-400 GPU. At least i don't have to worry about 1080p playback. And it also sports Android 4.0.3 which is really good.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:58:54 GMT

Utkarsh Anand wrote:

I am even planning to throw away this brick for whatever price i get, IF YOU DON'T PROVIDE FULL LINUX GRAPHICS SUPPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

I'm afraid this kind of blackmail won't work 😉 However I understand your frustration. But on the other hand, why don't you use MeeGo? It's netbook, not a media center after all.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

powerarmour — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:58:15 GMT

Thanks ARabbani for pointing out the obvious, much appreciated...

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:29:03 GMT

Hello Diego at Intel,

I suggest you do some actual research before pointing to a webpage that lists other graphics chips than the one in question.

GMA3600 and GMA3650 on atom n2600 and n2800 does not currently have proper support in any linux distribution. Except some experimental closed source drivers in meego linux.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:20:03 GMT

We are using MeeGo as a last resort.... But having this driver in open-source lets us choose the linux distro we want. You guys are taking away our ability to choose.

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:06:05 GMT

Lack of proper linux support is a big disappointment. No one cares about drivers for a discontinued minor distribution such as MeeGo.

Please address the problem, so that at least video acceleration could be present in main distributions!

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

idata — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:12:01 GMT

Come on Intel - fix this already!

I thought you had improved your linux driver handling after the gma 500 failure. Apparently not. By the looks of the lack of replies from Intel reps here I guess the only user feedback that will help is to make sure not to buy intel products in the future.

For others who plan to run Ubuntu on a computer with GMA 3650 then do check out this thread for updates

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1953734 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1953734

Re: GMA 3650 aka. PowerVR sgx545 and Linux

powerarmour — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:29:03 GMT

Great to see the effort that's already being put into Ubuntu and the upstream Linux Kernel, and we shouldn't be too far away from some sort of decent working 2D driver hopefully.

But it would be nice if Intel commented themselves, it's all well and good burying heads in the sands in the hopes that over time the problem will go away, but it's us users yet again that have been given the shaft when it comes to support for PowerVR based hardware. Even a 'Yes we are listening, but no support, because we can't be bothered' would actually help in some ways, at least then folks would know where they stand.

Wouldn't be the ideal solution for customers though, once bitten (GMA 500), twice shy (GMA 3600/3650), three times never...