Running Nexuiz on Xgl

[C.Brutail]

On this week I've finally installed debian etch on my pc at the uni. I got Xgl with compiz working on it (yeah, I like to swing my E-Penis as much as I can :F).

My question is: how much Xgl affects the performance of Nexuiz? Can I run Nexuiz under Xgl?

[Ed]

Not exactly, no. There is a solution involving setting up a second X server:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=176636

I would not really recommend XGL if you can help it. AIGLX is generally a lot better but your hardware and drivers need to support it, nVIDIA's 95 series do. If you update to Xorg 7.1 then you can enable it from your xorg.conf.

AIGLX gives 3d acceleration for games but isn't quite full speed. You also do have to watch out that you don't accidentally bring something else into focus while launching or you will lose acceleration.

Also, which window manager are you using? Beryl forked from Compiz and generally performs better.

[C.Brutail]

My systems specs:

Gigabyte GA-8N-SLI Mobo, with an Intel Celeron 3Ghz
Geforce 7300 GS PCIE

Linux:
Debian etch, kernel 2.6.18.2
XGL with KDE (from debian repo), and compiz (from debian repo too)
Official Nvidia driver from nvidia.com
Before XGL I used Xorg from the debian repo so I have xorg too (I should have it too).

Ok, I see.
If I read correctly, AiGLX was a project, forked from Xgl, and now currently it's called Xorg 7.1. I should get Xorg 7.1, and keep original Xorg too.

Now if I follow those instuctions I can use Xorg for Nexuiz, and when I do my usual work, I can use AIGLX.

Tho I'm currently running Compiz, I'll switch to Beryl asap.

Thx for the link! I'l try it tomorrw when I get back to my pc!

[Ed]

If I read correctly, AiGLX was a project, forked from Xgl, and now currently it's called Xorg 7.1. I should get Xorg 7.1, and keep original Xorg too.

I think I may have confused you.

To enable all of these clever effects the X server has to support them. XGL was developed as a replacement X server with the features needed. Although open source it was developed partly behind closed doors and there are concerns that this has influenced it and that as a purpose made solution, you can't disable the features readily.

The Xorg foundation had decided that these features could be built into Xorg so they did that in version 7.1 with what is called AIGLX. You need nVIDIA's 95 series drivers to use this, ATi still has no support for it.

Confusingly, the nVIDIA 95 series drivers also have their own implementation based upon AIGLX but you do not have to use it, it can be enabled or disabled in xorg.conf so can be easily swapped for AIGLX.

So you have three choices, XGL, AIGLX and the nVIDIA internal one. I have used all three and think that AIGLX is the best currently. The nVIDIA one seems a bit slow still while XGL isn't as good as it offers no 3d acceleration to games directly. However, ss you've already got XGL working, you should continue with it and see if you can implement that 2nd X server hack. If you do that then you've worked round the main XGL problem and have a better solution than a vanilla AIGLX.

A good place to look is the Gentoo wiki, it has lots on all of these subjects complete with instructions that you could translate to the Debian equivalents.

[C.Brutail]

Thx for the explanation, I understand it all now.

There's a little problem tho, that debiant etch repo does not have all the currect releases of XGL, compiz, so proly it's the same with beryl too. Eg. the debian repo does not have the compiz-kde pkg, the (iirc) gentoo repo does have, but the version number differs from debian's compi, so it can't be installed. Yet.

Ah yeah, and somehow (I could not find out where to get it, or what does include it), but compiz requires libdbus-1-2, the debian repo has libdbus-1-3. (iirc again). And I can't find libdbus-1-2 anywhere in the etch repo. Anyway, I still dunno why, if I dselect compiz, it installs wo problems, but with apt-get install it doesn't.

[esteel]

Well i'm using compiz with the nvidia driver stuff and its working very fine. The only problematic thing is the dual monitor setup as i have to use nvidias twinview (compiz does not like xinerama) so once i have a fullscreen application only one monitor is in use. And compiz does not honor the twinview xinerama info so 'window-fullsize' covers both screens..

My xorg.conf:

Code: Select all

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
   FontPath   "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"
   FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
   # path to defoma fonts
   FontPath   "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
   Load   "i2c"
   Load   "bitmap"
   Load   "dbe"
   Load   "ddc"
   Load   "dri"
   Load   "extmod"
   Load   "freetype"
   Load   "glx"
   Load   "int10"
   Load   "record"
   Load   "type1"
   Load   "v4l"
   Load   "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   Identifier   "Generic Keyboard"
   Driver      "kbd"
   Option      "CoreKeyboard"
   Option      "XkbRules"   "xorg"
   Option      "XkbModel"   "pc105"
   Option      "XkbLayout"   "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   Identifier   "Configured Mouse"
   Driver      "mouse"
   Option      "CorePointer"
   Option      "Device"      "/dev/input/mice"
   Option      "Protocol"      "ExplorerPS/2"
   Option      "Resolution"      "1600"
   Option      "SampleRate"      "200"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   Identifier   "Synaptics Touchpad"
   Driver      "synaptics"
   Option      "SendCoreEvents"   "true"
   Option      "Device"      "/dev/psaux"
   Option      "Protocol"      "auto-dev"
   Option      "SHMConfig"      "true"
   Option      "LeftEdge"      "140"
   Option      "RightEdge"      "890"
   Option      "TopEdge"      "140"
   Option      "BottomEdge"      "630"
   Option      "FingerLow"      "10"
   Option      "FingerHigh"      "15"
   Option      "MinSpeed"       "0.1"
   Option      "MaxSpeed"       "1"
   Option      "AccelFactor"       "0.01"
   Option      "CircularScrolling"   "false"
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier   "NVIDIA Corporation NVIDIA Default Card"
   Driver      "nvidia"
   BusID      "PCI:1:0:0"
   Screen      0
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier   "Generic Monitor"
   Option      "DPMS"
   HorizSync   30-81
   VertRefresh   56-75
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier   "Default Screen"
   Device      "NVIDIA Corporation NVIDIA Default Card"
   Monitor      "Generic Monitor"
   DefaultDepth   24
   Option      "NoLogo"
#   Option      "UseDisplayDevice"   "DFP"
   Option      "SecondMonitorHorizSync"   "30-98"
   Option      "SecondMonitorVertRefresh"   "50-160"
   Option      "TwinView"      "true"
   Option      "TwinViewOrientation"   "RightOf"
   Option      "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder"   "DFP, CRT"
   Option      "MetaModes"      "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1280x960,1280x960; 1280x854,1280x854; 1280x800,1280x800; 1280x768,1280x768; 1200x800,1200x800; 1152x864,1152x864; 1152x768,1152x768; 1024x768,1024x768; 800x600,800x600; 640x480,640x480; 1280x1024,NULL; 1280x960,NULL; 1280x854,NULL; 1280x800,NULL; 1280x768,NULL; 1200x800,NULL; 1152x864,NULL; 1152x768,NULL; 1024x768,NULL; 800x600,NULL; 640x480,NULL"
   Option      "AllowGLXWithComposite"   "true"
   Option      "RenderAccel"      "true"
   Option      "backingstore"      "true"
   Option      "TripleBuffer"      "true"
   Option      "AddARGBGLXVisuals"   "true"
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      1
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      4
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      8
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      15
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      16
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      24
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier   "NVIDIA Corporation NVIDIA Default Card 2"
   Driver      "nvidia"
   BusID      "PCI:1:0:0"
   Screen      1
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier   "Generic Monitor 2"
   Option      "DPMS"
   HorizSync   30-98
   VertRefresh   50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier   "Default Screen 2"
   Device      "NVIDIA Corporation NVIDIA Default Card 2"
   Monitor      "Generic Monitor 2"
   DefaultDepth   24
   Option      "NoLogo"
   Option      "UseDisplayDevice"   "CRT"
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      1
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      4
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      8
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      15
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      16
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
   SubSection "Display"
      Depth      24
      Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
   EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier   "Default Layout"
   InputDevice   "Generic Keyboard"
   InputDevice   "Configured Mouse"
   InputDevice   "Synaptics Touchpad"
   Screen      "Default Screen"
#   Screen      1 "Default Screen 2" RightOf "Default Screen"
#   Option      "Xinerama"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
   Mode   0666
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
   Option   "Composite" "true"
EndSection

[C.Brutail]

Ok, I got it working.

Not 100% ok, but I can play well.

I've installed beryl wo XGL after this step-by-step tutorial:

http://forum.beryl-project.org/topic-57 ... vidia-card

AIGLX is turned on in my xorg.conf too.

I can play Nexuiz and Quake3 with as many fps as wo beryl. Tho it seems a bit jerky. Some ppl say in the berly forums (and on irc too) that it beryl displays all the fps, only drops some of them, this is what couses the jerkiness.

I'll continue writing, I have to test something out.

[KadaverJack]

I've installed beryl wo XGL after this step-by-step tutorial:

http://forum.beryl-project.org/topic-57 ... vidia-card

What that guy doesn't tell you: steps 3-5 will upgrade your debian to unstable. It's almost impossible to switch back to testing or stable without wiping/reinstalling everything!
Don't use debian unstable unless you know what you are doing and how you can fix possible problems.

[C.Brutail]

Yeah, I know I'm using sid, the unstable I have upgraded before installing beryl..

I have tested a few things out. The best way to play in to switch back to KDwin for the time you play, and then switch to beryl during work. This is possible from a menu entry in beryl-manager. With this, you can have full accelaration, and no jerkines.

But beware all, beryl is pretty much in beta, I had to reboot my pc a few times becouse it did not respond, so if you like to experiment, use it, it's very nice, but prepare to face some problems too.

Alltogether, I continue using beryl, I like it, and I'll keep a close eye on future releases.

[Ed]

Have you had problems with Window decorations going at all? It's something I've had quite a bit of but beryl-manager gives you an easy way to restart Emerald if it happens. Gtkradiant does give me some problems under Beryl. When I switch back to it after a while sometimes the 3D window loses acceleration and it becomes unusable. Something to watch as a mapper.

I'm still running Beryl 0.1.0 which is a bit out of date and I am tempted to update it soon to try and fix these problems.

Some programs actually run better with it. OpenOffice.org has traditionally not got on with many window managers and suffers artifacts when dragging the Stylist. With Beryl it's fine.