Amd Radeon Drivers Arch Linux

6 min read Jun 13, 2024

AMD Radeon Drivers for Arch Linux

Arch Linux is known for its rolling release model and bleeding-edge software, which can sometimes pose a challenge for installing drivers. However, installing AMD Radeon drivers on Arch Linux is relatively straightforward thanks to the well-maintained Arch User Repository (AUR). Here's a guide on how to install and configure AMD Radeon drivers on your Arch Linux system.

Prerequisites

Before installing AMD Radeon drivers, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

Kernel: You should be running a recent kernel that supports your AMD graphics card. You can check your kernel version with uname -r.
X Server: You need an X server like Xorg or Wayland.
Mesa: The Mesa 3D graphics library is essential for running graphics applications on Linux. It is typically installed by default on Arch Linux.

Installation Steps

Install the necessary packages:
```
sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa xorg-server xorg-xinit
```
This command installs the Mesa 3D graphics library, lib32-mesa (for compatibility with 32-bit applications), Xorg server and Xinit.
Install the AMD Radeon drivers: You have two options:
- AMDGPU-PRO:
  - AMDGPU-PRO is the official AMD graphics driver package. It offers the best performance and features, but requires a proprietary driver license.
  - To install AMDGPU-PRO, you need to add the AMD repository to your system:
```
sudo pacman -S amdvlk
sudo pacman -Syu
```
  - Then, you can install AMDGPU-PRO using the following command:
```
sudo pacman -S amdgpu-pro
```
- Mesa-drivers:
  - The Mesa-drivers package provides open-source drivers for AMD Radeon graphics cards. It's a good option if you prefer open-source software or if you're unsure about the licensing implications of AMDGPU-PRO.
  - You can install Mesa-drivers using:
```
sudo pacman -S mesa-drivers
```

Configure Xorg:

Create a new Xorg configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-amdgpu.conf

Add the following lines to the configuration file:

Section "Device"
  Identifier "AMD Radeon Graphics"
  Driver "amdgpu"
EndSection

Save and exit the file.

Reboot your system: After installing the AMD Radeon drivers, it's essential to reboot your system to ensure the changes take effect.

Verifying Installation

After rebooting, you can verify that your AMD Radeon drivers are installed correctly:

Check the Xorg logs:
```
grep -i "radeon" /var/log/Xorg.0.log
```
This command searches the Xorg log for any entries related to your Radeon graphics card.
Run the glxinfo command:
```
glxinfo | grep -i "amdgpu"
```
This command checks for the amdgpu driver in your OpenGL information.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems with your AMD Radeon drivers, try the following:

Check your kernel version: Ensure that you're using a recent kernel that supports your graphics card.
Update your drivers: Run sudo pacman -Syu to update all your packages, including the drivers.
Review the Xorg logs: Look for any error messages related to your AMD Radeon drivers.
Consult the Arch Wiki: The Arch Wiki has detailed information about installing and configuring AMD Radeon drivers.

Conclusion

Installing AMD Radeon drivers on Arch Linux is a simple process if you follow the steps outlined above. Whether you choose AMDGPU-PRO for optimal performance or Mesa-drivers for open-source compatibility, you can enjoy the benefits of a powerful and feature-rich graphics experience on your Arch Linux system.