[SOLVED] Older Thinkpad graphics T400, T500, W500?

[cozzykim]

OK, forget the T42 in my previous thread

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,100546.0.html

Does anyone run a 3D desktop succesfully on a T400, T500, or W500 with the ATi graphics cards, if so which driver are you using?

The W500 for instance has a FireGL V5700 which is based on the Radeon HD 3650/70, but the Thinkwiki is a bit out of date so I don't know whether to risk buying one.

I assume that the Intel GMA 4500HD card isn't up to a 3D desktop?

TIA

[T6]

my netbook has a gma 3150 and can do compiz and kwin too

kwin is alittle better here so the hd4500 should be even better for you

about the firegl, not sure if the ati driver supports that one or you have to use the free version

[cozzykim]

Thanks T6,

that's encouraging because I've just bought a W500.

I'll post the results as I can't find any good information anywhere.

Cheers, Kim

[cozzykim]

FYI 

I bought a Thinkpad W500, kwin works flawlessly with the radeon/fglrx driver for the FireGL V5700.

The Intel GMA 4500HD works but I haven't figured out how to get desktop effects with this card.

I enable one card OR the other (not switchable) in the bios to prevent the ATI card running at full clock speed with no driver in the background as has been reported when the switchable option is selected.

It appears to be a common problem that full screen flash video suffers tearing under Linux, it's not a problem with Win7  (Yes I have "Use VSync" checked)

Everything works out of the box, including WiFi, webcam, thinkpad buttons and Function key controls.

Excellent