64 bit Linux for AMD CPUs

[rspassey]

I have done a little searching, but wanted to get another opinon here.

Which 64 bit linux distros are out there that support AMD CPUs?

Are there any releases of SLI drivers for Linux? All I have seen on SLIZONE is drivers for windows.

Of the distros that are out there, which 64 bit ones will run nice on the system in my rig, and play most modern games? ( Assuming I have to use an emulator of some sort - or am I wrong here?)

Which will assist in making a dual boot with which option to load from between the distro and XP Pro?

Are there any 64 bit distros that are easy to install, and come with a nice software bundle? I will probably unplug my main OS drive now and install it on my secondary drive (if all the above meet my needs), but as I have only installed Ubuntu, and Smoothwall, and Endian, whoses installs have been very easy, I don't want to be meet with a large challenge. Obviously we all like things to be easier than they really are lol.

TIA,
Ryan124712

I am looking forward to see what the results are, what I found while googling was a lot of "in the future we hope to see more SLI support with Linux distro..." and no real answers.

[flcpge]

Well, if you searched you know Debian and Gentoo already support AMD 64. I'm not sure about SLI, my motherboard doesn't have it.

I've found Debian 64 to be good. I can't really tell the difference between it and Deb 32. I've only used Gentoo as 32 bit. I don't know your level of expertise, but I didn't find installing the 64 bit version any more difficult than the regular version. Dual booting with XP is easy.

If you're comfortable with Ubuntu, just stick with it. I think you're set. I'm curious how your SLI setup will perform.

[rspassey]

Okay, I might do the install this weekend, I need to back up a few files first.

[kstatefan40]

Did you try the 64 bit Ubuntu? They have one now. Not sure about SLI though.

Good luck, and post back when you find something you like, I'm interested in finding out.

[rspassey]

No, not yet, I am going to look for the SLI drivers later today or tomorrow.

[rspassey]

Ah Ha... Looks like I have only about a week to wait till those drivers become available, http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...item=315&num=1

That give me the oppertunity (if they comeout then) to do the Ubuntu 64 install over thanks giving.

[rspassey]

Here is what I found on SLIZONE

What operating systems are supported with SLI Technology? SLI Technology supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows XP, as well as 32-bit and 64-bit Linux (IA-32 and AMD-64/EM64T)

And they claim all I need is to have the forceware and it will autodetect SLI, I just wont have any of the specialized game profiles for optimizing the games, and I wish I could see some benchmarks to see if SLI preforms as well in 64 but Linux as it does in XP.

[Winnipesaukee]

theres a spinoff of Slackware called SLAMD64. I believe it supports SLI.

http://www.slamd64.com

[rspassey]

Over at the ubuntu forums it is reported that there is VERY little performance increase in SLI mode with the Linux SLI drivers. Made me rethink, and at least for now, I will stick with my 32 bit XP pro.