8600 gts on Linux

[sreyan]

Hello all.
I recently made the (foolish) decision to purchase an 8600gts card. I did not realize the current linux drivers do not support it however. How long will I have to wait for nvidia to release a new driver? I was hoping to use the card for some scientific computing.

[Michael]

Hopefully by early May there will be a new driver out.

[sreyan]

The latest nv driver 2.0.2 supports this as of late yesterday, so for others interested you can at least get non gl functions to work. Once a beta proprietary driver is posted on nzone i'll post a glxgears fps and other benchmarks.

Hopefully nouveau adds the pci id's from the nv driver.

-Sreyan

[Michael]

Possibly tomorrow is the new driver.

[sreyan]

I compiled the nvidia beta driver on ubuntu 7.04

Here is the glxgears info :)

sreyan@sreyan-desktop:~$ glxgears -info
GL_RENDERER = GeForce 8600 GTS/PCI/SSE2/3DNOW!
GL_VERSION = 2.1.1 NVIDIA 100.14.03
GL_VENDOR = NVIDIA Corporation
GL_EXTENSIONS = GL_ARB_color_buffer_float GL_ARB_depth_texture GL_ARB_draw_buffers GL_ARB_fragment_program GL_ARB_fragment_program_shadow GL_ARB_fragment_shader GL_ARB_half_float_pixel GL_ARB_imaging GL_ARB_multisample GL_ARB_multitexture GL_ARB_occlusion_query GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object GL_ARB_point_parameters GL_ARB_point_sprite GL_ARB_shadow GL_ARB_shader_objects GL_ARB_shading_language_100 GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp GL_ARB_texture_compression GL_ARB_texture_cube_map GL_ARB_texture_env_add GL_ARB_texture_env_combine GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3 GL_ARB_texture_float GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two GL_ARB_texture_rectangle GL_ARB_transpose_matrix GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object GL_ARB_vertex_program GL_ARB_vertex_shader GL_ARB_window_pos GL_ATI_draw_buffers GL_ATI_texture_float GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once GL_S3_s3tc GL_EXT_texture_env_add GL_EXT_abgr GL_EXT_bgra GL_EXT_blend_color GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate GL_EXT_blend_func_separate GL_EXT_blend_minmax GL_EXT_blend_subtract GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array GL_EXT_Cg_shader GL_EXT_bindable_uniform GL_EXT_depth_bounds_test GL_EXT_draw_buffers2 GL_EXT_draw_instanced GL_EXT_draw_range_elements GL_EXT_fog_coord GL_EXT_framebuffer_blit GL_EXT_framebuffer_multisample GL_EXT_framebuffer_object GL_EXTX_framebuffer_mixed_formats GL_EXT_framebuffer_sRGB GL_EXT_geometry_shader4 GL_EXT_gpu_program_parameters GL_EXT_gpu_shader4 GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays GL_EXT_packed_depth_stencil GL_EXT_packed_float GL_EXT_packed_pixels GL_EXT_pixel_buffer_object GL_EXT_point_parameters GL_EXT_rescale_normal GL_EXT_secondary_color GL_EXT_separate_specular_color GL_EXT_shadow_funcs GL_EXT_stencil_two_side GL_EXT_stencil_wrap GL_EXT_texture3D GL_EXT_texture_array GL_EXT_texture_buffer_object GL_EXT_texture_compression_latc GL_EXT_texture_compression_rgtc GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc GL_EXT_texture_cube_map GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp GL_EXT_texture_env_combine GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3 GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic GL_EXT_texture_integer GL_EXT_texture_lod GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias GL_EXT_texture_mirror_clamp GL_EXT_texture_object GL_EXT_texture_sRGB GL_EXT_texture_shared_exponent GL_EXT_timer_query GL_EXT_vertex_array GL_IBM_rasterpos_clip GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat GL_KTX_buffer_region GL_NV_blend_square GL_NV_copy_depth_to_color GL_NV_depth_buffer_float GL_NV_depth_clamp GL_NV_fence GL_NV_float_buffer GL_NV_fog_distance GL_NV_fragment_program GL_NV_fragment_program_option GL_NV_fragment_program2 GL_NV_framebuffer_multisample_coverage GL_NV_geometry_shader4 GL_NV_gpu_program4 GL_NV_half_float GL_NV_light_max_exponent GL_NV_multisample_filter_hint GL_NV_occlusion_query GL_NV_packed_depth_stencil GL_NV_parameter_buffer_object GL_NV_pixel_data_range GL_NV_point_sprite GL_NV_primitive_restart GL_NV_register_combiners GL_NV_register_combiners2 GL_NV_texgen_reflection GL_NV_texture_compression_vtc GL_NV_texture_env_combine4 GL_NV_texture_expand_normal GL_NV_texture_rectangle GL_NV_texture_shader GL_NV_texture_shader2 GL_NV_texture_shader3 GL_NV_transform_feedback GL_NV_vertex_array_range GL_NV_vertex_array_range2 GL_NV_vertex_program GL_NV_vertex_program1_1 GL_NV_vertex_program2 GL_NV_vertex_program2_option GL_NV_vertex_program3 GL_NVX_conditional_render GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap GL_SGIS_texture_lod GL_SGIX_depth_texture GL_SGIX_shadow GL_SUN_slice_accum
63523 frames in 5.0 seconds = 12704.506 FPS
72213 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14442.571 FPS
72270 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14453.879 FPS
70891 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14178.084 FPS
70868 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14173.594 FPS
70866 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14173.107 FPS
70849 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14169.743 FPS
70803 frames in 5.0 seconds = 14160.580 FPS

It certainly seems to be doing some hardware acceleration.

More to Follow!

[iPirates]

I cannot get this card to work on Kubuntu 7.04 for the life of me...
I tried downloading and installing the beta drivers from the nVidia website, and the computer screen goes black after the kubuntu loading screen is finished (black, with a blinking parser line that doesn't let you issue any commands).

any thoughts?

[Michael]

Are there any errors (EE) or warnings (WW) in your /var/log/Xorg.0.log ?

[sreyan]

I cannot get this card to work on Kubuntu 7.04 for the life of me...
I tried downloading and installing the beta drivers from the nVidia website, and the computer screen goes black after the kubuntu loading screen is finished (black, with a blinking parser line that doesn't let you issue any commands).

any thoughts?


try hitting ctrl + alt + f1 to enter a getty.

[joshuapurcell]

Here's what I do to install the drivers, and it hasn't failed me yet.
1. Download the driver file (*.run)
2. CTRL-ALT-F1, log in, then run sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
3. Change directory to where you downloaded the driver file, then create a new script called install.sh with the following lines:#!/bin/sh
if [ "$USER" != root ]; then echo "Please run as root."; exit 1; fi
KERNEL_HEADERS=/usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)
sh ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-100.14.03-pkg2.run -n -s --x-prefix=/usr/lib64/xorg/ --kernel-source-path=$KERNEL_HEADERS
4. Run chmod 755 install.sh, then sudo ./install.sh
5.Start back up gdm with sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start.

Now if you are using Kubuntu, the same steps may work if you just change the /etc/init.d/gdm part to the appropriate command that restarts the desktop environment on your system.

[sreyan]

Here's what I do to install the drivers, and it hasn't failed me yet.
1. Download the driver file (*.run)
2. CTRL-ALT-F1, log in, then run sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
3. Change directory to where you downloaded the driver file, then create a new script called install.sh with the following lines:#!/bin/sh
if [ "$USER" != root ]; then echo "Please run as root."; exit 1; fi
KERNEL_HEADERS=/usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)
sh ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-100.14.03-pkg2.run -n -s --x-prefix=/usr/lib64/xorg/ --kernel-source-path=$KERNEL_HEADERS
4. Run chmod 755 install.sh, then sudo ./install.sh
5.Start back up gdm with sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start.

Now if you are using Kubuntu, the same steps may work if you just change the /etc/init.d/gdm part to the appropriate command that restarts the desktop environment on your system.


Remember if you are running 32 bit to change the driver referenced in the script. Also you will need build-essentials installed as well as kernel headers.

[RobinBGH]

Hi joshuapurcell!

I have just upgraded my system to AMD64 and a 8600GTS and decided to use the opportunity to switch from XP to Linux (Ubunto), as I was about to spend days messing about anyway :-)

Being a gamer held me back from switching earlier but with Gates becoming more and more obsessive about user control and the prospect of using Cedega convinced me in the end.

I have followed your installation guide step by step and I do not think much has changed. My Ubuntu was using the "nVidia Corporation NVIDIA Default Card" and the "nv" driver before and is still doing so. I can't even find the card in the "Hardware Information", my best guess is that the entry "Unknown (0x0400)" under one of the PCI-Es refers to it.

Both, the OpenGL and the 3D rendering tests in Cedega fail (without the screen doing as much as blinking where it should display test stuff).

Could the problem be that the Ubuntu 7.04 in itself is unable to handle new graphic cards and that one has to wait for an update by them? If that is so, does anyone know whether any other Linux distribution can manage those cards?

Thank you,
Robin

[Raven3x7]

joshuapurcell's instructions are only for installing the beta driver but you need to configure your /etc/X11/xorg.conf so that your system uses 'nvidia' instead of 'nv'. Additionally you need to add 'glx' to your extensions. That is the minimum of steps needed to get 3d acceleration working. You should google for more detailed information on how to configure your xorg.conf or maybe someone else here can give you more information. Its quite likely you will have to set your monitor resolution manually. Hope this puts you on the right track.

[sreyan]

joshuapurcell's instructions are only for installing the beta driver but you need to configure your /etc/X11/xorg.conf so that your system uses 'nvidia' instead of 'nv'. Additionally you need to add 'glx' to your extensions. That is the minimum of steps needed to get 3d acceleration working. You should google for more detailed information on how to configure your xorg.conf or maybe someone else here can give you more information. Its quite likely you will have to set your monitor resolution manually. Hope this puts you on the right track.

That's absolutely right. To make this task easier use nvidia's utility
nvidia-xconfig. It does replace your xorg.conf file, but makes a backup.

[RobinBGH]

Thanks, I will try what you've suggested (especially the "glx" bit). The nvidia-xconfig I have used before, with the result of having no monitor signal at all. But it might be worth trying again now that I have followed your instructions beforehand.

[joshuapurcell]

Thanks, I will try what you've suggested (especially the "glx" bit). The nvidia-xconfig I have used before, with the result of having no monitor signal at all. But it might be worth trying again now that I have followed your instructions beforehand.

Let us know how it turns out. From the posts above you should have the complete steps needed for getting the proprietary nvidia driver working.

[RobinBGH]

Well, I have tried everything, I guess (glx, etc). Even "Envy" did not solve the problem. In the end, X never recognises my card: "Failed to initialize the NVIDIA graphics device PCI:7:0:0."

I think the reason is that the 8600GTS is just too new. I night have to wait for a couple of weeks/months until drivers are updated to support it.

[iPirates]

Well, I have tried everything, I guess (glx, etc). Even "Envy" did not solve the problem. In the end, X never recognises my card: "Failed to initialize the NVIDIA graphics device PCI:7:0:0."

I think the reason is that the 8600GTS is just too new. I night have to wait for a couple of weeks/months until drivers are updated to support it.

Yea, I read that nVidia has only released beta drivers for this card and a few others... they're appernetly releasing the full drivers in may. (Which is also when the next Xorg is set to be released).

[Raven3x7]

RobinBGH one last note. If you installed an Nvidia binary through the Ubuntu repos it might be a good idea to remove it before installing the beta drivers. Additionally im quite sure someone will make a unofficial package for the beta driver sooner or later.

[RobinBGH]

Well, thanks a lot for your friendly support anyway, guys! Looks like I just have to wait for the new drivers :-)

[joshuapurcell]

Well, thanks a lot for your friendly support anyway, guys! Looks like I just have to wait for the new drivers :-)

I had to wait a couple of weeks or so for the drivers to be released for the 8800 as well. If this is the case with your card, then hopefully the wait won't be any longer than that.