ATI FireGL T2 question =)

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ruykava · #1 Post by **ruykava** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:48 am

hi all, i'm new to this forum so big apologies if this topic has been discussed b4--i couldn't find anything on it though. i've just gotten my new T42p today, it's a 2373KTU with the FireGL 128MB graphics card. heard somewhere that the drivers for the card are meant for stability and not performance--is this true? and r there any alternative drivers that i can try out?

loving the machine so far--the quality of the trackpoint and touchpad buttons is just soooo good. makes my old dell inspiron 4000 feel like a bag of bolts put together with sticky tape!

thanks for the advise!

OL · #2 Post by OL » Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:00 am

the firegl T2 is the same chipset than 9600 mobility with probably a different bios and device id. The present ibm firegl drivers are based upon catalyst 4.9, they works more or less fine for games and fine for any other usage.

Ati has made this card for 3D professional use. The difference with 9600 is the special driver ati made for it to be usable with some 3D software which require special opengl drivers.
For games it is better using others drivers. Standard catalyst cannnot be installed directly on a mobility card : you need to tweak them with a modder : http://www.driverheaven.net/patje/ but some problems remains (trouble with opengl games, and the need to tweak the resolution...
The alternative is to use already modded tweaked drivers like the omega or dna.

I strongly suggest you either to stick with ibm drivers or to use dna drivers : www.dna-drivers.nl
which work fine on my thinkpad T41p for any games : doom3, farcry...
If you are not a gamer you should stick with the ibm drivers. I have installed dna drivers to have a slight gain in performance and more compatibility for some games.
Be careful changing video driver can cause some problems : you should make a winXP restore point before.

Elhabash · #3 Post by **Elhabash** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:47 pm

One other thing: Is it possible to upgrade the graphics chip? in the t40p they do have the FLEXFIT socket, so would it be possible?

I get Taurens · #4 Post by **I get Taurens** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:59 pm

not usually, someone said that before, "FLEXFIT" is for the manufactory's convenience. upgrading video cards is currently not possible for Thinkpads,(except for changing your mother board) hope that helps!

Elhabash · #5 Post by **Elhabash** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:49 pm

Yeah, thanks. That's what I suspected. But the slim chance was worth the question...

Conmee · #6 Post by **Conmee** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 2:44 pm

The FireGL drivers are 'certified' for stability and performance for OpenGL CAD/CAE applications. You can get the list of apps that ATI certifies, namely UniGraphics, Catia, etc. In my benchmark tests, the OpenGL performance is generally superior with the IBM certified (FireGL) drivers, but the Catalyst drivers from ATI obtain better Direct X performance, of most importance to gamers. However, in my tests, 10% improvement is about all I've noticed using Catalyst v. IBM supplied drivers.

The other benefit to the modded/Catalyst drivers is that the IBM drivers only support 1280x1024 externally through the Dock II DVI port. If you're looking for 1600x1200 on an external monitor using the DVI port, you'll need to use Omega or DNA or other Catalyst modded drivers.

As for FlexFit, that is simply the pinout/dimensions that the ATI chips use. However, IBM solders their GPU to the motherboard, so there is no way to realistically "upgrade" the video on current ThinkPads.

Daniel.

landslide · #7 Post by **landslide** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:27 am

For Conme (and others):

I'm considering buying T42p with FireGL T2. But I'd like to drive an external 23" wide format display (1920 x 1200) with DVI. I know that it's possible, in principle, to drive this display with DVI.

But is this possible with the T42p/FireGL, though the dockII? Would I have to change to non-IBM drivers for the FireGL? Where are those drivers, and which ones are the best choice?

Thanks for advice.

Conmee · #8 Post by **Conmee** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:19 pm

1280x1024 is the highest resolution out of the Dock II DVI port. I'm using a Dock II right now and I've tried it with an external LCD, the best you can expect using IBM supplied drivers is SXGA. You need to use Omega drivers or one of the other modded driver sets out there. I've used Omega drivers and they generally get good reviews. Also, I believe the person who supports the Omega drivers is an ATI employee (name is Angel Trinidad, I think, for what it's worth.

Here's a link: http://www.omegadrivers.net/ati/win2k_xp.php

Daniel.

Max · #9 Post by **Max** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:24 pm

OL,

which dna drivers do you recommend? Just the latest build or specific, like 2.6.4.7? I tried the latest IBM's and couldn't get KOTOR to run....

-Max

ATI FireGL T2 question =)

ATI FireGL T2 question =)

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