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Operating System Specific Discussions => Amiga OS => Amiga OS 4.x (future) Hardware Compatibility Discussions => Topic started by: blakespot on August 03, 2015, 03:17:15 PM
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I just installed AmiStore and see Workbench CANDI and wanted to grab it, but I see it requires the RadeonHD drivers / package. I have a Radeon 9250 in my 440. I am gathering that this card is not capable if working in the scenario I am after, am I correct?
Thanks.
bp
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@blakespot
AFAIK you need a radeon HD card -- so, no, CANDI won't work on your SAM. :(
-- eliyahu
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@blakespot
AFAIK you need a radeon HD card -- so, no, CANDI won't work on your SAM. :(
-- eliyahu
Yea. And it looks like some of the effects take 60% CPU on an X1000, so that wouldn't come close to working properly on this 733MHz 440.
bp
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There's a low CPU setting for slower CPUs. You can run a RadeonHD card on the Sam440-Flex by using a PCI-PCIe adapter.
Even a low end card like a 6450 gives a big boost in 2D pefromance and compositing so if you play games like MACE then you'll be able to play at higher rsolutions than before. See this video for a demonstration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUg-6I9cizo
You could even get newer card with a Southern Islands GPU and enjoy a boost in 3D performance too.
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There's a low CPU setting for slower CPUs. You can run a RadeonHD card on the Sam440-Flex by using a PCI-PCIe adapter.
Wow - that's amazing. I assume the 440ep CPU was the big bottleneck in such a scenario I might have to do that.
Where can I get such an adapter? Standard eBat grab of PC Radeon HD's work fine?
bp
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@blakespot
yes, you can use off-the-shelf SI-based radeon HD cards with a PCI-to-PCIe adapter -- but if you do that, you'll lose overlay for your video playback. the newer GPUs out there don't have support for overlay. to compensate there is compositing video in version 2.10 of the drivers, and it helps, but if you like playing videos on your SAM, i'd recommend leaving the 9250 in there.
that said, as more and more games support compositing graphics, then it might make more sense. check out this youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUg-6I9cizo) for what i mean.
certainly you can do as you like, but as a former SAM owner, i'd stick with the 9250 and forego CANDI. the CPU in our 440-based SAMs are a huge bottleneck, so whatever you do, remember it's not comparable with the newer machines. the 'low CPU' option in CANDI was really designed for the 460, not for the 440. ;)
-- eliyahu
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Eliyahu,
I have just gotten DvPlayer and mplayer installed and video playback seems very slow on my 440ep with 9250. You mention overlay being supported. Are these programs supporting it by default, or is there some config I must do to make it so?
Also, I have a 64-bit bus 9250, and am aware there is a 128-bit bus version. Would moving to a 128-bus version help notably?
Thanks.
(I saw and appreciate your comments on tweaking in the other thread.)
bp
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@blakespot
yes, the 128-bit memory bus is important for reasonable performance, but, again, the main contributor to poor video playback with some files is the CPU itself. that said, a 128-bit card will help. if you can't find one on ebay, let me know -- i think i have a spare 9250 somewhere.
as for overlay, it should 'just work' without any setup on your part. there is a NOOVERLAY tooltype for dvplayer that you can enable, but unless you did so, it's on. it's a shame i'm up in CT, or i could diagnose all this in person. can you tell me the file container and codecs used (video and audio) of the file that is stuttering? maybe can i help you cook up the right settings to play it well on mplayer.
-- eliyahu
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I found a 128-bit 9250 with 256MB RAM (I hear only 128MB is recognized on the SAM) on eBay for $12. Ordered it. I hope it is compatible.
bp
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IMO: SAM460cr is the only sane "PCI-to-PCIe adapter" to use.
(I currently have the SAM440ep-mini .... I might get a new GPU for my x86 box to play Elite Dangerous ... I should get a a-eon compatible one, just in case ...)
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Eliyahu, anyone,
Thoughts on this card I received via eBay?
http://www.amigans.net/modules/xforum/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7018&forum=4
Model # and label might indicate 64-bit, but I've shown benches and also observation that TuneNet 3D vis feels much faster. ?
Thanks.
bp
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@blakespot
no idea, tbh. i always verified the product number against something posted at newegg to verify, but yours doesn't come up. i would say that i've never heard of a 9250 that 256MB of VRAM and was 64-bit. the only 64-bit cards i've ever encountered were 64MB 9200-series cards or 128MB 9250s. i do have a spare 128-bit card at the house, so if you need it, it's yours. i can send it when i get back from holiday.
-- eliyahu