[Bug 247441] graphics/gpu-firmware-kmod and or graphics/drm-fbsd11.2-kmod crashing 11.2 to 11.4 with a Radeon HD 5770 card

[bugzilla-noreply at freebsd.org]

https://bugs.freebsd.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=247441

--- Comment #21 from Niclas Zeising <zeising at FreeBSD.org> ---
(In reply to Scott Bennett from comment #20)

Hi!
I am not sure exactly what else you expect.
You are expected to run a supported version of FreeBSD.  Currently, that's
11.3, 11.4 and 12.1.  11.3 stops being supported at the end of September.  We
also try to support the latest STABLE and CURRENT branches, but if you are
using those branches, you are expected to keep up with development, and to
upgrade in a timely fashion.

When it comes to graphics, we try to support everything that Linux supports
when it comes to AMD/ATI and Intel GPUs (nVidia is providing binary drivers, so
I have to refer to them for support for nVidia GPUs).  However, the graphics
team is a small team, and it is mostly a volunteer effort, which means that it
is impossible for us to test every combination of hardware and software, and
especially for older GPUs, there might be regressions, both in FreeBSD and
imported from Linux (the GPU drivers for Intel and AMD/ATI comes originally
from Linux).

I'm sorry that you feel you've had a sub-par experience wrt. graphics on
FreeBSD.  At the same time, I must say that I don't share your experience. 
I've been using FreeBSD on a desktop for over a decade without much issue, and
I use FreeBSD as a desktop OS on a daily basis.

gpu-firmware-kmod is regularly updated, when there is new firmware.  I cannot,
however, tell if it is relevant for your GPU.  Generally, it is firmware for
more modern ATI/AMD and Intel GPUs that are updated.  The firmwares are
provided by Intel and AMD, and pulled in from the Linux firmware repository.

I don't know much about NomadBSD, haven't used it myself.  But if it works for
you, then, by all means, use it.  I note that NomadBSD is based on FreeBSD
12.1.  FreeBSD 12.1 (and the upcoming 12.2) uses a more recent version of the
gpu-kmod driver, based on Linux 4.16.  There have also been a lot of changes to
the Linux KPI compat layer between FreeBSD 11 and 12.  If NomadBSD works,
perhaps the problems you are experiencing have been solved.

I have been quite patient in trying to help you, explain the situation and
solve the issues, and I've spent a lot of time replying to you here.  However,
if all you are going to do is complain and rant, I am less inclined to help. 
Remember that we are all volunteers, working on FreeBSD and FreeBSD Graphics in
our spare time.

Regards
Niclas
FreeBSD Graphics Team

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