Tip for 64-bit Linux

[vtailor]

In 64-bit Linuxes, I think it helps to run the radeonfb.ko kernel module in addition to the radeon.ko kernel module, in terms of improving full-screen streaming-video quality.

Definitely runs html5 benchmarks faster under 64-bit Linux. (Remembering that the most recent 64-bit google chrome eliminates tests that still run under other, slower browsers.)

Verify for yourself.

Benchmark of around 900, well above Samsung, on the basic basic fit-pc3.

[vtailor]

Here is the ranking that comes out of running the browser benchmark, noting that other browsers enable tests no longer enabled in google chrome for 64 bits.

[vtailor]

Adding the 64-bit libva and libvdpau cause the Peacekeeper Benchmark to go up from 849 to 901. That is for the basic basic 1 G fit-pc3, and it places that fit-pc3 right between the two Apple wireless telephones. So, if Apple is not using the AMD chipset, it ought to.

Streaming flash video also improves in quality. For some reason, I have a problem with 32-bit Slackware running the Peacekeeper Benchmark.

[vtailor]

Isn't it peculiar how the Peacekeeper Benchmark is a slippery target and varies over Time? Still, 50 points one way or another is still 50 points.

[vtailor]

The very latest kernel.org kernel claims that it causes noticeable improvement in AMD video speed. So, I compiled the kernel for the fit-pc3 pro and ran the Peacekeeper benchmark, first with the old Slackware-Current kernel, then with the 3.12.0-rc5 kernel I had compiled. That way, the Peacekeeper was hopefully held constant. Under the original kernel the benchmark is 1435, while under the 3.12.0-rc5 kernel, the benchmark is 1444. And, things really move around in the benchmark with the newer kernel.

P. S. I had lost the linux analog audio in this fit-pc3 pro. Rather than discard it, I left it on a shelf for a few weeks. Surprise, the audio came back as though it had never been gone. I conjecture it was a miracle of sorts, since I had a similar experience with a fit-pc2 z510 that I thought was fried. Self healing?

[vtailor]

I should note that the rc2 version of this kernel works better overall than the rc5 version, both in 32-bit RIPLinuX and 64-bit Slackware. The rc5 version has an ohci usb port problem and causes file-system and wifi failures on the Intel gma500 series.