Linux Cool Tips #5

To view software packages installed on you linux machine, use  rpm -qa for RPM-based distro or  dpkg --get-selections for Debian-based distro.

You can use the above commands in tandem with either less or grep for easy viewing of results.

e.g.

        # dpkg --get-selections | grep php

           libapache2-mod-php5          install

           php5                                    install

           php5-common                     install

           php5-gd                              install

           php5-mcrypt                       install

           php5-mysql                         install

           phpmyadmin                        install

Intel 3DMark Engineering

Intel appears to be offloading some of the work associated with the GPU tests onto the CPU in order to improve 3DMark scores. When asked for comment, Intel replied with the following:

"We have engineered intelligence into our 4 series graphics driver such that when a workload saturates graphics engine with pixel and vertex processing, the CPU can assist with DX10 geometry processing to enhance overall performance. 3DMarkVantage is one of those workloads, as are Call of Juarez, Crysis, Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions, and Company of Heroes. We have used similar techniques with DX9 in previous products and drivers. The benefit to users is optimized performance based on best use of the hardware available in the system. Our driver is currently in the certification process with Futuremark and we fully expect it will pass their certification as did our previous DX9 drivers."

This CPU-assisted vertex processing doesn't appear to affect Vantage's image quality. However, Intel is definitely detecting 3DMark Vantage and changing the behavior of its drivers in order to improve performance, which would appear to be a direct contravention of Futuremark's guidelines.

Source: http://techreport.com/articles.x/17732/2

ATI Radeon HD 5770 and 5750 Coming Soon?

AMD is said to plan to extend the DirectX 11 product array with the Radeon HD 5770 and 5750 right in time for the Windows 7 launch on October 22, 2009.

According to the latest rumors AMD will introduce two middle class DirectX 11 graphics card besides the HF 5870 and HD 5850: Right in time for the launch of Windows 7 on October 22 the Radeon HD 5770 and the HD 5750, which are based on the Juniper GPU, are supposed to hit the markets.

Vr-zone says that the codenames of the new cards are "Countach” (HD 5770) and "Corvette” (HD 5750). Both of them are said to be equipped with one gigabyte GDDR5 video memory. The performance of the HD 5770 is 60 percent higher than the performance of the HD 4770 and a CrossfireX setup is supposed to reach the level of the "Cypress” (GPU of the HD 5800 series). With 40 nanometer architecture, DirectX 11, Ati Eyefinity technology, Ati Stream, UVD2 and GDDR5 the middle class devices will also support the features of the bigger chips.

Rumor king Fuad Abazovic from Fudzilla expects the HD 5770 in October, too, and estimates that it will offer a performance slightly below the HD 4870. In his opinion AMD will set the price for the market introduction to less than 200 USD.

Source: http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,695043/Ati-Radeon-HD-5770-and-HD-5750-New-middle-class-in-October/News/