ATI 6850 w/ fglrx - Window stutter when moved / bad GPU performance overall

English Hardware
1

Hello,
I recently installed openSUSE 12.2 (x86_64) on my machine and everything went fine, except for the GPU.

I had to install a driver, which is fine; I installed the 1-click fglrx 64 bit installer and it apparently installed fine. After two cold boots, I could see that things were not working correctly. I had weird errors such as

X Error: BadRequest (invalid request code or no such operation), ATIFGLEXTENSION

Which I figured was because of missing kernel headers. I went ahead and updated those and then ran

# fglrx-kernel-build.sh -a -f

. It recompiled everything properly. Rebooted again, and here I am. The performance is much better than it was, but I still get very weird behaviours, such as;

  • When moving a window, the “interior” freezes completely until I stop moving it.
  • I get weird artifacts when passing one window from one monitor to the next (using Xinerma)
  • Moving one window around quickly displays sluggish, slow, screen updates which is an eye-sore
  • Overall bad performance graphically…

Here is a very short video displaying the situation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tsbaxfm8hc318y7/2013-01-16%2022.21.12.mp4
I have heard that this type of behavior is a known issue in the free version of the driver, but I don’t think this is supposed to happen with proprietary drivers.

Here is some info on my system:

# uname -a
Linux linux-e2bl 3.4.11-2.16-desktop #1 SMP PREEMPT Wed Sep 26 17:05:00 UTC 2012 (259fc87) x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

# lspci | grep ATI
04:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Barts PRO [ATI Radeon HD 6800 Series]
04:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Barts HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 6800 Series]

# lsmod |grep fglrx
fglrx                4728346  188 
amd_iommu_v2           19097  1 fglrx
button                 13906  1 fglrx
2

You might try turning off desktop effects (System Settings-Workspace-Desktop Effects)and see if that helps.
You have a 64bit desktop, recent CPU or older/slower? KDE?
I have had excellent X86_64 performance with fglrx, but do have plenty of CPU.

Also, seems 1 click installs seldom work out well with this driver.

Search the forum for “atiupgrade”, a script developed and kept current by forum member Please_Try_Again.
Once you find it on the forum, you will find instructions on adding his Repo and installing the script.
It is extremely easy to use and will never do an install if all the required dependencies are not up to date.

3

Thanks for your reply. This is on XFCE. I do have a 64bit machine (not sure if that’s what you’re asking…) with a more than capable CPU. I’ll have a look at the script you mentioned. Should I wipe fglrx first or give it a go anyways?

4

Also worth noting that I get this error quite a lot when opening graphical applications, such as Thunar;

$ thunar
Xlib:  extension "RANDR" missing on display ":0.0".

Thanks

5

I was confirming that it was in fact a desktop, not laptop running desktop kernel.
It does happen sometimes.

I can offer no insight to XFCE, sorry.
Perhaps P_T_A will see this and comment.

If you do decide to go the atiupgrade route, unless his instructions suggest removing what you have, just give it a try.
The script is quite thorough with regards to dependencies and such.

6

Then you don’t need to do it again ( = having atiupgrade doing it for you).

Xinerama is the problem. You should not use it. In all dual screen configurations, whether for nvidia or ATI, I always have:

Option         "Xinerama" "off"

Please post yout /etc/X11/xorg.conf and some info about your monitors.

# hwinfo --monitor
7

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and to assist me.

I did as cmcgrath5035 suggested and gave atiupgrade a go. I first removed the AMD driver and then ran atiupgrade 5.3.1 in runlevel 3. Everything went fine during the install, so I rebooted. I am now experiencing the very same stuttering when moving windows around / passing one window to the next.

please_try_again, as per your comment on Xinerama; I understand that Xinerama seems to be the root of most of my problem, but I would like to keep the feature to pass one window to the next (read: have an extended desktop). Is there a worthy alternative? I don’t see myself having two monitors without this feature…

Here is the information you requested:

# hwinfo --monitor
59: None 00.0: 10000 Monitor                                    
  [Created at monitor.95]
  Unique ID: rdCR.rs4LboOsQQ4
  Hardware Class: monitor
  Model: "SAMSUNG S24B350"
  Vendor: SAM "SAMSUNG"
  Device: eisa 0x08d9 "S24B350"
  Serial ID: "HCLC500168"
  Resolution: 720x400@70Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@60Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@67Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@72Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@75Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@56Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@60Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@72Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@75Hz
  Resolution: 832x624@75Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@60Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@70Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@75Hz
  Resolution: 1152x864@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x720@60Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@60Hz
  Resolution: 1920x1080@60Hz
  Size: 531x299 mm
  Detailed Timings #0:
     Resolution: 1920x1080
     Horizontal: 1920 2008 2052 2200 (+88 +132 +280) +hsync
       Vertical: 1080 1084 1089 1125 (+4 +9 +45) +vsync
    Frequencies: 148.50 MHz, 67.50 kHz, 60.00 Hz
  Driver Info #0:
    Max. Resolution: 1920x1080
    Vert. Sync Range: 56-75 Hz
    Hor. Sync Range: 30-81 kHz
    Bandwidth: 148 MHz
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

60: None 00.1: 10000 Monitor
  [Created at monitor.95]
  Unique ID: jyhG.rs4LboOsQQ4
  Hardware Class: monitor
  Model: "SAMSUNG S24B350"
  Vendor: SAM "SAMSUNG"
  Device: eisa 0x08d9 "S24B350"
  Serial ID: "HCLC500168"
  Resolution: 720x400@70Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@60Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@67Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@72Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@75Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@56Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@60Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@72Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@75Hz
  Resolution: 832x624@75Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@60Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@70Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@75Hz
  Resolution: 1152x864@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x720@60Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@60Hz
  Resolution: 1920x1080@60Hz
  Size: 531x299 mm
  Detailed Timings #0:
     Resolution: 1920x1080
     Horizontal: 1920 2008 2052 2200 (+88 +132 +280) +hsync
       Vertical: 1080 1084 1089 1125 (+4 +9 +45) +vsync
    Frequencies: 148.50 MHz, 67.50 kHz, 60.00 Hz
  Driver Info #0:
    Max. Resolution: 1920x1080
    Vert. Sync Range: 56-75 Hz
    Hor. Sync Range: 30-81 kHz
    Bandwidth: 148 MHz
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

61: None 00.2: 10000 Monitor
  [Created at monitor.95]
  Unique ID: aHB6.rs4LboOsQQ4
  Hardware Class: monitor
  Model: "SAMSUNG S24B350"
  Vendor: SAM "SAMSUNG"
  Device: eisa 0x08d9 "S24B350"
  Serial ID: "HCLC500168"
  Resolution: 720x400@70Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@60Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@67Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@72Hz
  Resolution: 640x480@75Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@56Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@60Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@72Hz
  Resolution: 800x600@75Hz
  Resolution: 832x624@75Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@60Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@70Hz
  Resolution: 1024x768@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@75Hz
  Resolution: 1152x864@75Hz
  Resolution: 1280x720@60Hz
  Resolution: 1280x1024@60Hz
  Resolution: 1920x1080@60Hz
  Size: 531x299 mm
  Detailed Timings #0:
     Resolution: 1920x1080
     Horizontal: 1920 2008 2052 2200 (+88 +132 +280) +hsync
       Vertical: 1080 1084 1089 1125 (+4 +9 +45) +vsync
    Frequencies: 148.50 MHz, 67.50 kHz, 60.00 Hz
  Driver Info #0:
    Max. Resolution: 1920x1080
    Vert. Sync Range: 56-75 Hz
    Hor. Sync Range: 30-81 kHz
    Bandwidth: 148 MHz
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

/etc/X11/Xorg.conf

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "aticonfig Layout"
    Screen      0  "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" 1920 0
    Screen         "amdcccle-Screen[4]-1" 0 0
EndSection

Section "Module"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
  # Uncomment the following option to reenable kbd/mouse driver input sections. 
  # Otherwise evdev driver is used. 
  #Option       "AutoAddDevices" "off"
    Option        "Xinerama" "on"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "0-DFP7"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "0 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "0-CRT1"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "0 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
    Driver      "fglrx"
    Option        "Monitor-DFP7" "0-DFP7"
    BusID       "PCI:4:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "amdcccle-Device[4]-1"
    Driver      "fglrx"
    Option        "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
    BusID       "PCI:4:0:0"
    Screen      1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
    Device     "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
    DefaultDepth     24
    SubSection "Display"
        Viewport   0 0
        Depth     24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "amdcccle-Screen[4]-1"
    Device     "amdcccle-Device[4]-1"
    DefaultDepth     24
    SubSection "Display"
        Viewport   0 0
        Depth     24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Once again, thank you for assisting me.

EDIT: I tried what you suggested - disabling Xinerama. I see no difference when moving windows around / general graphics rendering. Extremely poor performance and no distinction what so ever than with Xinerama enabled.

8

Of course!

If I post an example, do you think you can use it? If not, I would edit your xorg.conf for you … but if you could do it yourself, it would save me time … :wink:
I would do nothing more than taking the information you provided and puting them in this template.

OK, Here’s a working dual screen xorg.conf for ATI which doesn’t use Xinerama. Not everything is relevant for you in this file.

# xorg.conf - niglo.net * Agnelo de la Crotche - Tue Jan  5 03:40:17 PST 2010
# automatically generated by /usr/local/bat/makexorgconf

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config(4/5) man page for details about the format of 
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/misc"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/jmk"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/Type1"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/truetype"
  FontPath       "/usr/share/fonts/URW" 
EndSection

Section "Module"
  Load  "dri"
  Load  "dbe"
  Load  "extmod"
  Load  "glx"
  Load  "record"
  Subsection  "extmod"
    Option	"omit xfree86-dga"  # don't initialise the DGA extension
  EndSubSection
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Server flags section.
# **********************************************************************
Section "ServerFlags"
  Option	    "ZapWarning" "false"
  Option	    "Xinerama" "0"
# power managment
# Option "BlankTime"   "60"
# Option "StandbyTime" "60"
# Option "SuspendTime" "75"
# Option "Offtime"     "90"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Input devices section
# **********************************************************************

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Evdev"
	Driver      "keyboard"
	Option	    "CoreKeyboard"
	Option	    "XkbRules" "evdev"
	Option	    "XkbModel" "evdev"
	Option	    "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "LogitechMouse"
	Driver      "mouse"
	Option	    "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
	Option	    "Protocol" "auto"
	Option	    "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Monitor section
# **********************************************************************
Section "Monitor"
	Identifier  "0-DFP2"
	Option	    "VendorName" "HWP"
	Option	    "ModelName" "HP 2009m"
	Option	    "DPMS" "true"
	Option	    "PreferredMode" "1600x900"
	Option	    "TargetRefresh" "60"
	Option	    "Position" "0 0"
	Option	    "Rotate" "normal"
	Option	    "LeftOf" "0-CRT1"
	Option	    "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier  "0-CRT1"
	Option	    "VendorName" "HWP"
	Option	    "ModelName" "HP 2009m"
	Option	    "DPMS" "true"
	Option	    "PreferredMode" "1600x900"
#	Option	    "RighttOf" "0-DFP2"
	Option	    "TargetRefresh" "60"
	Option	    "Position" "1600 0"
#	Option	    "Rotate" "left"
	Option	    "Enable" "true"
	Option	    "Rotate" "normal"
	Option	    "Disable" "false"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Graphic cards section
# **********************************************************************
# Any number of graphics device sections may be present

# Standard VGA Device:
Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Standard VGA"
	Driver      "vga"
	VendorName  "Unknown"
	BoardName   "Unknown"
EndSection

# Standard vesa driver 
# works with almost all graphic adapters with lower performance 
Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Vesa Framebuffer"
	Driver      "vesa"
	VendorName  "VESA"
	BoardName   "Framebuffer Graphics"
	Option	    "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Radeon HD4290"
	VendorName  "ATI Technologies Inc"
	BoardName   "Radeon HD 4290 (RS880)"
	BusID       "PCI:1:5:0"
	Driver      "fglrx"
	Option	    "DRI"
	Option	    "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
	Option	    "Monitor-DFP2" "0-DFP2"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Screen section
# **********************************************************************

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device     "Radeon HD4290"
	Monitor    "0-CRT1"
	DefaultDepth     24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth     24
		Modes    "1600x900"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen1"
	Device     "Radeon HD4290"
	Monitor    "0-DFP2"
	DefaultDepth     24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth     24
		Modes    "1600x900"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen2"
	Device     "Radeon HD4290"
	DefaultDepth     24
 	Monitor    "0-CRT1"
	Monitor    "0-DFP2"
 	Option	    "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
 	Option	    "Monitor-DFP2" "0-DFP2"
	SubSection "Display"
 		Viewport  0  0
		Virtual   3200 3200
		Depth     24
		Modes    "1600x900"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
	Option	    "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# ServerLayout sections.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "Dual"
	Screen      0  "Screen2" 0 0
	InputDevice    "LogitechMouse" "CorePointer"
	InputDevice    "Evdev" "CoreKeyboard"
	Option	    "Xinerama" "off"
	Option	    "Clone" "off"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "Right"
	Screen         "Screen0" 0 0
	InputDevice    "LogitechMouse" "CorePointer"
	InputDevice    "Evdev" "CoreKeyboard"
	Option	    "Xinerama" "off"
	Option	    "Clone" "off"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "Left"
	Screen         "Screen1" 0 0
	InputDevice    "LogitechMouse" "CorePointer"
	InputDevice    "Evdev" "CoreKeyboard"
	Option	    "Xinerama" "off"
	Option	    "Clone" "off"
EndSection

Notice that this configuration is a little bit complicated because I have 3 ServerLayout sections, one for the Dual screen, one to use the left and one to use the right monitor alone. You only need the first one.

9

I’m really sorry, I don’t quite know what to take from this file and/or what to leave out… I don’t know what to do. Could you do it for me, please?

10

Actually, if you had removed or renamed you xorg.conf, atiupgrade would have created a basic dual screen configuration - provided it would have detected your 2 monitors - but it would have been a very basic one (not sure it would have worked). I always write these configurations manually - or use a template or a script which uses this template.

11

No problem, I can do it, but not now - as I have work to do. I’ll do it later. Stay tuned! Maybe in the meantime, someone here can do it and post an xorg.conf that you can use. There are several people here who are able to modify your xorg.conf using the example I provided. It is not very complicated (well … maybe I should not say that). :\

12

I’m trying to modify it right now but have a couple of questions.

  • Should I keep the Vesa Framebuffer? I have no idea.
  • What about the “Standard VGA” device?
  • Do I need the InputDevice section?
  • Should I take all the modules listed? None of them sound familiar.
  • Do I need the Files section? also seems useless to me
  • Is Screen2 the “virtual display” of the two desktops combined? If so, is the Virtual 3200 3200 value simply the width multiplied by two? so in my case 3840

Thanks.

13

And there are probably ways to do it with a GUI. I’m just use to edit files. The key is to not use Xinerama but Xrandr.

Xinerama, xrandr, fglrx - what is the deal

14

Both irrelevant and harmless.

No, they are ignored anyway.

I think they are all loaded automatically (can be verified in /var/log/Xorg.0.log). But if they don’t hurt me, they won’t hurt you either.

Then don’t use it … and you’ll get a couple less warnings in /var/log/Xorg.0.log, since you don’t have some of these fonts.

Yes

Well, my two monitors have the same size. It makes things a little bit easier.

Dunno.

15

Thank you for your time! Really appreciate it.

I finally did it, I modified my file and am now running a Xinerama free, multi monitor display!

This is the config I came up with:

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "Dual"
    Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
    Option        "Xinerama" "off"
    Option        "Clone" "off"
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load  "dri"
    Load  "dbe"
    Load  "extmod"
    Load  "glx"
    Load  "record"
    SubSection "extmod"
        Option        "omit xfree86-dga"  # don't initialise the DGA extension
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option        "Xinerama" "off"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "0-DFP7"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "0 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "0-CRT1"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "0 0"
    Option        "Enable" "True"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "LeftOf" "0-CRT1"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier   "0-DFP5"
    Option        "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
    Option        "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "1920 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "Radeon HD6850"
    Driver      "fglrx"
    VendorName  "ATI Technologies Inc"
    BoardName   "Radeon HD"
    Option        "DRI"
    Option        "Monitor-DFP5" "0-DFP5"
    Option        "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
    BusID       "PCI:4:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen0"
    Device     "Radeon HD6850"
    DefaultDepth     24
    SubSection "Display"
        Virtual   3840 1920
        Depth     24
        Modes    "1920x1080"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen1"
    Device     "Radeon HD6850"
    Monitor    "0-DFP7"
    DefaultDepth     24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth     24
        Modes    "1920x1080"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen2"
    Device     "Radeon HD6850"
    Monitor    "0-DFP7"
    DefaultDepth     24
    Option        "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
    Option        "Monitor-DFP7" "0-DFP7"
    SubSection "Display"
        Viewport   0 0
        Virtual   3840 3840
        Depth     24
        Modes    "1920x1080"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
    Option        "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

On the negative side, I still am experiencing very bad graphical performance generally. Windows being moved slowly, text appearing a bit too slowly when typing, etc. It’s quite annoying!

Any idea what might be happening?..

16

No, sorry I don’t know. I don’t have a dual screen ATI before my eyes right now. Not sure I can find one here. There might be a problem with the driver or with GLX rendering in general. There might be other threads describing similar issues. At some point, you will be asked to post your /var/log/Xorg.0.log.

You can have as many Screen sections as you like. You have 3 because you used my template, which has 3. The one which is going to be used by default is the one defined in the ServerLayout section. Therefore with this setting:

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "Dual"
    Screen      0  **"Screen0"** 0 0
    Option        "Xinerama" "off"
    Option        "Clone" "off"
EndSection

you’re using this configuration:

Section "Screen"
    Identifier** "Screen0"**
    Device     "Radeon HD6850"
    DefaultDepth     24
    SubSection "Display"
        Virtual   3840 1920
        Depth     24
        Modes    "1920x1080"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Is that what you want? I’m not sure. The 2 other Screen sections are ignored.

Let’s see how I can edit this file…

17

Try this simple configuration. It has 2 monitor sections called 0-DFP2 and 0-CRT1 and a device section called Radeon HD6850
All these names are arbitrary - I chose them.
You can see these two monitors and this device used in the Screen section, called Screen0 - also arbitrarily.
This Screen section is used in the ServerLayout section.


Section "Module"
  Load  "dri"
  Load  "dbe"
  Load  "extmod"
  Load  "glx"
  Load  "record"
  Subsection  "extmod"
    Option	"omit xfree86-dga"  # don't initialise the DGA extension
  EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
  Option	    "ZapWarning" "false"
  Option	    "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  ** "0-DFP2"**
    Option        "VendorName" "SAMSUNG"
    Option        "ModelName" "SAMSUNG S24B350"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
    HorizSync     30-81
    VertRefresh   56-75
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "0 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
**    Option        "LeftOf" "0-CRT1"**
    Option        "Disable" "false"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  ** "0-CRT1"**
    Option        "VendorName" "SAMSUNG"
    Option        "ModelName" "SAMSUNG S24B350"
    Option        "DPMS" "true"
    Option        "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
    HorizSync     30-81
    VertRefresh   56-75
    Option        "TargetRefresh" "60"
    Option        "Position" "1920 0"
    Option        "Rotate" "normal"
    Option        "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier  **"Radeon HD6850"**
	VendorName  "ATI Technologies Inc"
	BusID       "PCI:4:0:0"
	Driver      "fglrx"
	Option    "DRI"
	Option    "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
	Option    "Monitor-DFP2" "0-DFP2"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier **"Screen0"**
	Device    ** "Radeon HD6850"**
	DefaultDepth     24
 	Monitor   ** "0-CRT1"**
	Monitor   ** "0-DFP2"**
 	Option	    "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
 	Option	    "Monitor-DFP2" "0-DFP2"
	SubSection "Display"
 		Viewport  0  0
		Virtual   3840 3840
		Depth     24
		Modes    "1920x1080"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
	Option	    "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier  "Dual"
	Screen      0  **"Screen0"** 0 0
	Option	    "Xinerama" "off"
	Option	    "Clone" "off"
EndSection

A couple changes might be needed. But this should be a good start - assuming I didn’t make mistakes.

18

I ended up fixing my dual screen issue using xrandr. Works great now, but the initial issue (and the most annoying, by FAR) persists. Very poor graphics performance. I can’t quite determine what creates this lag though.

  • VLC watching a mp4 fullscreen: not so great, annoyingly choppy
  • VLC watching a MKV fullscreen: great support, not choppy
  • Moving a window (Thunar for example) around: choppy
  • Playing OpenArena fullscreen: EXCELLENT performance, though the game is mirrored in both screens, which is weird.
  • Playing Team Fortress 2 from steam fullscreen: choppy, can’t really play. I think this has to do with the fact that the GPU is rendering both the DE and the game at the same time. I can still access the DE on the monitor the game isn’t being displayed on.
  • Playing Team Fortress 2 from steam windowed: choppy, but not as bad as fullscreen

Does that indicate anything? I’m really out of ideas here.

19

(double post, sorry)
What I find odd is this:
fgl_glxgears
Using GLX_SGIX_pbuffer
3380 frames in 5.0 seconds = 676.000 FPS
4011 frames in 5.0 seconds = 802.200 FPS
4166 frames in 5.0 seconds = 833.200 FPS
4370 frames in 5.0 seconds = 874.000 FPS
4229 frames in 5.0 seconds = 845.800 FPS

I believe these are very good performances, so why do I got such bad performance with 3D and typical rendering? I can even notice the stutters scrolling down a page in Firefox…