Re: [gentoo-user] Any video optimization tips?

[Helmut Jarausch <jarausch@igpm.rwth-aachen.de>]

On 12/16/2011 12:11:34 PM, Walter Dnes wrote:
>   I'm trying to make an older PC display high-def streaming video. 
> It's
> a Dell Inspiron Desktop 530, with 2 gigs of ram, assembled and 
> shipped
> August 2007.  It has an Intel dual core (*NOT* a "Core Duo") cpu like
> so
> (from /proc/cpuinfo).
> 
> vendor_id       : GenuineIntel
> cpu family      : 6
> model           : 15
> model name      : Genuine Intel(R) CPU            2140  @ 1.60GHz
> stepping        : 2
> cpu MHz         : 1595.660
> cache size      : 1024 KB
> 
>   The original Intel onboard GPU wasn't really up to the task.  I
> bought
> an Nvidia GeForce 6200 video card, set it up, and it handles 
> 1280x720p
> video OK, from my HDHomerun TV tuner box.  1920x1080i shows the
> occasional hint of stuttering.  I followed the instructions at
> http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xorg-config.xml including the Nouveau
> driver.  I'm running ICEWM to minimize system overhead.  Are there 
> any
> other tips and tricks for getting better video performance out of 
> this
> admittedly old system?  glxgears shows 382 fps when the system is
> idle.
> 
>   It works without an xorg.conf.  This also happens to my mdev test
> machine (no udev).  I'm attaching the Xorg log file for more detail.
> 

You could try to install a recent kernel  (3.1.5 for me) and enable
the CONFIG_DRM_NOUVEAU=y  (it's a staging driver, just search for it
by entering / in the make menuconfig environment).

Then re-emerge the x11-drivers/xf86-video-nouveau driver.

I hope this helps a bit,

Helmut.