Very Computer

by **Piers B** » Sat, 22 May 1999 04:00:00

Will the Linux kernel be taking advantage of the 3DNow instruction set from
AMD anytime soon?

I would have thought that this and the KNI set from Intel would help in
things like 3D modeling and games (when we start to see them appear in
quantity for Linux).

Any answers

Thanks.

Piers B.

Proud Linux AMD user. Go against the flow and enjoy.

by **Marc Mut** » Sat, 29 May 1999 04:00:00

> Will the Linux kernel be taking advantage of the 3DNow instruction set from
> AMD anytime soon?

> I would have thought that this and the KNI set from Intel would help in
> things like 3D modeling and games (when we start to see them appear in
> quantity for Linux).

> Any answers

> Thanks.

> Piers B.

> Proud Linux AMD user. Go against the flow and enjoy.

Graphics has nothing to do with th kernel, because it's the Xserver that
rules it. I don't think it's likely that the kernel will drag much use
out of 3DNow, and OpenGL is in it's very beginning as far as Linux is
concerned. But Linux is well aware of 3DNow and saves its registers
(although they are the same as for MMX), so I guess user software can
use it.
The question should be whether there will ever be a
MMX/3DNow/ISSE-*gimp*... :-)

Marc

by **Bradley M Kerya** » Sat, 29 May 1999 04:00:00

> > Will the Linux kernel be taking advantage of the 3DNow instruction set from
> > AMD anytime soon?

[snip]
> Graphics has nothing to do with th kernel, because it's the Xserver that
> rules it. I don't think it's likely that the kernel will drag much use
> out of 3DNow, and OpenGL is in it's very beginning as far as Linux is
> concerned. But Linux is well aware of 3DNow and saves its registers
> (although they are the same as for MMX), so I guess user software can
> use it.

Yep, user software can and does use it. The current beta of Mesa 3.1 has
some 3DNow support (I haven't benchmarked it or anything so I don't know
how much faster it is, but it's there). The mpeg player 'mpg123' also
supports 3DNow. Also I think the 3DFX Voodoo3/Banshee 3D driver alpha
supports it too, but I could be wrong.

Quote:> The question should be whether there will ever be a
> MMX/3DNow/ISSE-*gimp*... :-)

Well, maybe some of the filters...

Brad

by **k..** » Sat, 29 May 1999 04:00:00

: supports 3DNow. Also I think the 3DFX Voodoo3/Banshee 3D driver alpha
: supports it too, but I could be wrong.

no, you are right:

Daryll Strauss wrote at http://glide.xxedgexx.com/status.html:

Quote:> Posted a new Glide-2.60 for VB/V3 which may fix the AMD 3DNow! support.
> I need a report from an AMD user to be sure

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Very Computer

3DNow instructions and Linux kernel?

3DNow instructions and Linux kernel?

3DNow instructions and Linux kernel?

3DNow instructions and Linux kernel?

3DNow instructions and Linux kernel?