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So, what's AMD doing these days? I'm hesitant to switch to AMD since Intel internal graphics play nicely with Linux. However that kind of doesn't matter if my

So, what's AMD doing these days? I'm hesitant to switch to AMD since Intel internal graphics play nicely with Linux. However that kind of doesn't matter if my machine isn't mine.

std_throwaway 8y ago
AMD has the PSP which basically is the same thing. But we don't know for sure what either one does.
- mrsteveman1 8y ago
  One thing the PSP doesn't have is AMT style remote management. AMD has their own kind of management system available on some machines (DASH, using "smart" NICs like Broadcom), but the PSP isn't even involved when DASH is available and in use, as far as I know. However, on my Intel machine with AMT, there's a network port opened by the ME itself (TCP/16992). It can use the same IP as the main OS, or a different IP entirely if desired. It uses the same ethernet port as the main OS though, splitting the packets that are directed to one of the ME ports and selectively allowing the rest to continue to the main OS (there's a low-level ME firewall[1]). On that port, there is a full remote desktop with mouse and keyboard, the ability to remotely connect small drives and/or ISO files, a remote serial console, a low level firewall configuration utility, and power/reboot controls. Even on machines where AMT is not even supposed to be available, there have been PoC demonstrated using one of the ME flaws to turn it back on[2]. [1] https://i.imgur.com/Wphopk1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Wphopk1.jpg (slide 68) [2] https://www.blackhat.com/docs/eu-17/materials/eu-17-Goryachy-How-To-Hack-A-Turned-Off-Computer-Or-Running-Unsigned-Code-In-Intel-Management-Engine.pdf https://www.blackhat.com/docs/eu-17/materials/eu-17-Goryachy...
  - iknowverylittle 8y ago
    You know the shame of ME is that the concept and intended use isn't terrible and the engineering behind it is rather cool. It is however unfortunate how poorly Intel implemented it and essentially forced it onto personal systems that have no need for it to begin with.
    - mmjaa 8y ago
      It just should not be there unless requested by the customer. Period.
Shelnutt2 8y ago
For what it's worth and graphics on Linux are working great with amdgpu. Their efforts to develop and support open source mainline graphics has really finally paid off. Support is usually mainlined before hardware release now. I don't think "just works" integrated graphics are an issue for either company (Intel/AMD) in general on the Linux front. That said the amdgpu driver is still relatively new and major changes and improvements are still ongoing but overall it's definitely production stable and for dedicated gpus performance is generally very good. Not trying to sound like a fanboy it's just nice to see someone else push as hard for open source mainlined graphics as Intel has for all these years.
- pjmlp 8y ago
  Except for those that happen to own an older card that used to work perfectly fine on the former AMD driver. Case in point, the ATI Radeon HD 6310 that came on EEE PC models, the video hardware acceleration no longer works as it used to be. Sure, I can probably hack the older driver into newer Ubuntu releases or track down someone that has already done it, but that is exactly what I don't want to spend my time doing outside work.
  - deno 8y ago
    FWIW, it’s a completely different architecture. GCN has support all the way down to 1.0. The graphics card in your EEE PC is upgradable, if you’re feeling adventurous[1]. [1] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Asus+Eee+PC+1008ha+Graphics+Card+Replacement/14603 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Asus+Eee+PC+1008ha+Graphics+Car...
    - pjmlp 8y ago
      I know, and this kind of attitude regarding drivers is what as graphics oriented person, eventually pushed me back into the Windows/OS X world. The graphics card was working perfectly fine before they decided to reboot driver support. Now with the legacy driver I have to force enable acceleration and even then I sometimes get the feeling it isn't really working, given how the fan behaves when watching movies on the go.
deforciant 8y ago
I have recently built a machine with Ryzen 2700X & geforce gtx 1050ti (GPU is required as Ryzen doesn't have an internal one but there are plenty of cheaper ones like mine), running Ubuntu and it's just fantastic. Docker builds, compilation takes seconds as compared to my macbook which has i7. Plus there's no overheating issues when I am running Kubernetes all the time and I can still code. TL;DR Ryzen 2700X is great value for money, would recommend it any day :)
- IntelMiner 8y ago
  +1 to this. Upgraded from an i7-4790 (non K variant) System runs cooler, quieter and faster. Gentoo absolutely flies on it as well
- BanazirGalbasi 8y ago
  I've been running on a Ryzen 5 1600 for a year and agree with you entirely, the performance is amazing for the price. Currently dual booting with Win10 and Void Linux and haven't had any processor-related issues so far!
chupasaurus 8y ago
I have Ryzen 2400G which has Vega 11 internal graphics. GPU is supported only by the latest versions of graphic stack (kernel 4.17+, Mesa 18) and the only problem I have is that in Debian testing the kernel flag to enable the support of that GPU family is off, so I had to compile it myself (which could be false atm because I was away for a month and hadn't checked the updates).

So, what's AMD doing these days? I'm hesitant to switch to AMD since Intel internal graphics play nicely with Linux. However that kind of doesn't matter if my machine isn't mine.

std_throwaway 8y ago

AMD has the PSP which basically is the same thing. But we don't know for sure what either one does.

mrsteveman1 8y ago
One thing the PSP doesn't have is AMT style remote management. AMD has their own kind of management system available on some machines (DASH, using "smart" NICs like Broadcom), but the PSP isn't even involved when DASH is available and in use, as far as I know. However, on my Intel machine with AMT, there's a network port opened by the ME itself (TCP/16992). It can use the same IP as the main OS, or a different IP entirely if desired. It uses the same ethernet port as the main OS though, splitting the packets that are directed to one of the ME ports and selectively allowing the rest to continue to the main OS (there's a low-level ME firewall[1]). On that port, there is a full remote desktop with mouse and keyboard, the ability to remotely connect small drives and/or ISO files, a remote serial console, a low level firewall configuration utility, and power/reboot controls. Even on machines where AMT is not even supposed to be available, there have been PoC demonstrated using one of the ME flaws to turn it back on[2]. [1] https://i.imgur.com/Wphopk1.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Wphopk1.jpg (slide 68) [2] https://www.blackhat.com/docs/eu-17/materials/eu-17-Goryachy-How-To-Hack-A-Turned-Off-Computer-Or-Running-Unsigned-Code-In-Intel-Management-Engine.pdf https://www.blackhat.com/docs/eu-17/materials/eu-17-Goryachy...
- iknowverylittle 8y ago
  You know the shame of ME is that the concept and intended use isn't terrible and the engineering behind it is rather cool. It is however unfortunate how poorly Intel implemented it and essentially forced it onto personal systems that have no need for it to begin with.
  - mmjaa 8y ago
    It just should not be there unless requested by the customer. Period.

Shelnutt2 8y ago

For what it's worth and graphics on Linux are working great with amdgpu. Their efforts to develop and support open source mainline graphics has really finally paid off. Support is usually mainlined before hardware release now. I don't think "just works" integrated graphics are an issue for either company (Intel/AMD) in general on the Linux front. That said the amdgpu driver is still relatively new and major changes and improvements are still ongoing but overall it's definitely production stable and for dedicated gpus performance is generally very good. Not trying to sound like a fanboy it's just nice to see someone else push as hard for open source mainlined graphics as Intel has for all these years.

pjmlp 8y ago
Except for those that happen to own an older card that used to work perfectly fine on the former AMD driver. Case in point, the ATI Radeon HD 6310 that came on EEE PC models, the video hardware acceleration no longer works as it used to be. Sure, I can probably hack the older driver into newer Ubuntu releases or track down someone that has already done it, but that is exactly what I don't want to spend my time doing outside work.
- deno 8y ago
  FWIW, it’s a completely different architecture. GCN has support all the way down to 1.0. The graphics card in your EEE PC is upgradable, if you’re feeling adventurous[1]. [1] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Asus+Eee+PC+1008ha+Graphics+Card+Replacement/14603 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Asus+Eee+PC+1008ha+Graphics+Car...
  - pjmlp 8y ago
    I know, and this kind of attitude regarding drivers is what as graphics oriented person, eventually pushed me back into the Windows/OS X world. The graphics card was working perfectly fine before they decided to reboot driver support. Now with the legacy driver I have to force enable acceleration and even then I sometimes get the feeling it isn't really working, given how the fan behaves when watching movies on the go.

deforciant 8y ago

I have recently built a machine with Ryzen 2700X & geforce gtx 1050ti (GPU is required as Ryzen doesn't have an internal one but there are plenty of cheaper ones like mine), running Ubuntu and it's just fantastic. Docker builds, compilation takes seconds as compared to my macbook which has i7. Plus there's no overheating issues when I am running Kubernetes all the time and I can still code. TL;DR Ryzen 2700X is great value for money, would recommend it any day :)

IntelMiner 8y ago
+1 to this. Upgraded from an i7-4790 (non K variant) System runs cooler, quieter and faster. Gentoo absolutely flies on it as well
BanazirGalbasi 8y ago
I've been running on a Ryzen 5 1600 for a year and agree with you entirely, the performance is amazing for the price. Currently dual booting with Win10 and Void Linux and haven't had any processor-related issues so far!

chupasaurus 8y ago

I have Ryzen 2400G which has Vega 11 internal graphics. GPU is supported only by the latest versions of graphic stack (kernel 4.17+, Mesa 18) and the only problem I have is that in Debian testing the kernel flag to enable the support of that GPU family is off, so I had to compile it myself (which could be false atm because I was away for a month and hadn't checked the updates).