Is the AMDGPU driver considered Free Software?

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bandicooty98
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Joined: 12/14/2017

So it's been a while since I've been here, mainly been dealing with depression, but that's a personal thing so not gonna get into it here. Anyhow, I've been looking for a replacement computer, since this one has a proprietary BIOS, NVIDIA graphics, and Intel WiFi. It currently runs Trisquel/Mint. Mint for some games that unfortunately require the proprietary NVIDIA driver to run decently, as development on Nouveau seems to be somewhat stagnating. So after a couple of searches, I found out that the AMDGPU driver is now "open source" and part of the kernel. This means that Linux-libre should support it too, as Linux-libre supports all hardware that is supported by the kernel itself, right? I've been checking out some laptops at both Minifree and Technoethical, but also came across Purism, they're working towards RYF-certification, though they're not quite there yet. So, I could either wait for them to make a fully libre laptop, with decent hardware, or build my own PC using one of the RYF-certified motherboards. I came across the TET-D16 and the ASUS KGPE D16 on fsf.org, and figured, well, maybe if I slap an AMD video card in one of these, I could get a decent gaming experience with only libre firmware. Is this true, or is there some caveat?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help out!

jxself
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Joined: 09/13/2010

"Is the AMDGPU driver considered Free Software?"
Hah; no. When the proprietary components aren't present it falls over and dies.

"Linux-libre supports all hardware that is supported by the kernel itself, right?"
No, because some of those things require proprietary junk in order to function.

"...also came across Purism, they're working towards RYF-certification, though they're not quite there yet. So, I could either wait for them to make a fully libre laptop"
Not going to happen with Purism. Or anyone really. Newer Intel stuff has fatal freedom problems. So anyone's goal of Intel + Modern + Free can't happen. Intel is really a sinking ship for software freedom. It's time to evacuate the Titanic: https://jxself.org/titanic.shtml

bandicooty98
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Joined: 12/14/2017

(Response to jxself, as my replies seem to get misplaced for some reason.)

Thanks for your response! I guess I was a little too optimistic about Purism. Regardless of that, I think they've achieved more in terms of liberating modern Intel-based computers than any other company.

nadebula.1984
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Joined: 05/01/2018

Please note that "open source" means nothing. Non-free software can be "open source" too. See RMS's article "Why open source misses the point".

If you want to play certain games, NVIDIA graphics card are by far the best. This is because AMD (ATI) never developed free/libre driver/firmware (to the best of my knowledge). And starting Skylake, Intel's integrated graphics require non-free blobs too. To select a(n) NVIDIA card, stay away from any Pascal architecture ones and Maxwell architecture ones with code name GM2xx. See wikipedia for details.

bandicooty98
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Joined: 12/14/2017

I understand, I just referred to the firmware as open source as I already thought there would be some issues with it, thus naming it free software would be an insult to free software, I think. I just wanted to make sure I was correct. Thanks for the advice by the way! I'll look into a computer with a slightly older NVIDIA GPU, next time. Now that we're talking about NVIDIA anyway, do you happen to know how to "claim" the video adapter? I've ran "lshw -c video" a couple of times after trying multiple solutions, but I can't get it to work. Just asking, if you don't know, that's okay!

nadebula.1984
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Joined: 05/01/2018

Linux-libre project's webpage has better explanation about firmware and blobs.

To choose a GPU for gaming, go to the following wikipedia pages:
GeForce 700 series
GeForce 800M series
GeForce 900 series

Stay away from GM2xx or any newer architecture such as Pascal (GPxxx). Just use nouveau driver and forget the non-free drivers.

If you can find a desktop or notebook with Intel Iris Pro graphics, it's also very good.

Magic Banana

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I am a translator!

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Joined: 07/24/2010

I have that KabyLake processor with HD Graphics 630: https://ark.intel.com/products/97147/Intel-Core-i5-7400-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz

SuperTuxKart runs at 15 FPS or so. That is why I believe there is at least some kind of 3D acceleration.