The end of the AArch64 desktop experiment
6 hours ago
- #AArch64 desktop
- #hardware compatibility
- #Ampere Altra
- The author ends an 11-month AArch64 desktop experiment using an Ampere Altra system.
- Hardware included an 80-core Ampere Altra CPU, 128GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX6700XT GPU, and server-grade components.
- A PCI Express controller erratum required custom kernel patches for AMD GPU compatibility, leading to frequent kernel rebuilds.
- The AMD GPU began failing with errors like 'Fence fallback timer expired,' disrupting gaming and video playback.
- Switching to an Nvidia RTX 2060 worked with binary drivers, but Flatpak lacked AArch64 support for key applications like FreeCAD.
- The author reverted to an x86-64 system with fewer cores, finding it more functional for desktop tasks, games, and design software.
- The Ampere Altra system is repurposed for multi-core workloads like RISC-V builds, with no plans for future AArch64 desktop experiments.