support for AMD APU CPUs?
 

Is anyone successfully using Squeeze (Gnome desktop) with the new AMD CPUs that include the Accelerated Processor Units, which have the graphic integrated into the CPU?

My computer died last weekend. Frys has a nice deal on one of these CPUs bundled with an MSI mobo. But I don't want to order one until I know that the older kernel in Squeeze works with it.

Thanks

The older kernel is not a problem, but the graphics drivers are. You have to use the newer AMD drivers from the backports repository if you want to use this hardware with Squeeze.

As the AMD drivers are still lagging behind a bit, I opted for an nVidia card instead, blacklisting the nouveau drivers to use the much better nVidia driver for my 3D stuff. CPU works a treat, didn't bother on the APU.... :rolleyes:

Thanks. My initial search, before starting this thread, was not broad enough, and I missed the problems with AMD graphics drivers. I believe that the backports repository is in my Synaptic sources list.

How would Squeeze be installed then, since the drivers would be added later? Would that mean a "remote" terminal serving the function of a monitor until the drivers are installed? That is beyond anything that I have done before.

Choosing the VESA driver will give you a graphical environment, although limited in resolution. The VESA standard is supported by every modern piece of PC hardware and is often used as a 'fallback' option.

What is the point in buying one of the APUs when you don't use the graphics part? Would be better to buy a "simple" CPU in that case, you even have a better upgrade path in that case, since you don't have to stick to the FM1 socket.

There should be no problem during installation. The problems start after the installation, when the system boots and let the radeon driver kick in. It is very likely that the kernel mode setting will not work correctly, leaving you with a blank screen. In that case you simply have to pass the option "nomodeset" to the kernel, then install the fglrx driver from backports and you should be fine.

I did try at first, but it failed. So in went my old videocard, that I knew worked well. As for the FM1 socket, I don't like paying over the odds just for an Intel badge, AMD offers me better prices for similarly spec'd proc's... But that's just my idea of computing :p

You can get cheap AM3+ boards with a cheap Athlon II/Phenom II/FX-CPU, no need to go to Intel for that. That is the real upgrade path. If you want to have a cheap system better stick to the mainstream than to niche-solutions like FM1.

The AM3+ was the platform I came from... However, Intel is not the subject of this topic, nor is your personal preference to what is "mainstream" in ICT these days.