Re: amd64 NVIDIA support in FreeBSD 7

On Dec 11, 2007 11:05 AM, Sam Fourman Jr. <sfourman_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> On Dec 9, 2007 1:35 AM, Kip Macy <kip.macy_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> > The problem is that it is a moving target. In order to support NVIDIA
> > long term FreeBSD would need to maintain API parity with Linux. As
> > Linux adds new interfaces, NVIDIA incorporates them into their driver.
> > Unless someone steps up and decides to own the continuing support
> > effort to add those interfaces as the need arises, it isn't likely to
> > happen.
>
> so if I understand the situation correctly, maintaining feature /
> Performance  parity with Linux for Nvidia video cards is possible,
> but it isn't likely  that a current FreeBSD developer will donate the
> (probably large) amount of time to maintain it.

It isn't that large, but that is the gist of it.


> would maintaining API parity with linux for the purpose of allowing
> 64bit 3D acceleration support in any way hurt FreeBSD's long term
> Goals ?

Not at all. It simply isn't a priority for the handful of people that
are currently able to do this.



> >
> > On the upside, it looks like ATI's opening up is starting to bear fruit.
>
> from what it sounds like it ATI may be more of a realistic hope for
> compiz, and 3D video games to one day work on 64bit FreeBSD
>
> Thank you for taking the time to explain this.

I don't know the status of ATI at the moment - if you want 3D support
on FreeBSD right *now* I think nvidia/i386 is your only option.

 -Kip