Welcome to the first Unofficial GMA 500 Driver Support website for Windows!

This project started in August 2012 when I thought,for the first time, that informations about this GPU were fragmentary and available on too many forums with too many pages!

So finally I decided to upload all into one blog  where people could find easily and quickly news and optimized drivers.

From that day over 200.000+ visitors, from all over the world, saw the first GMA 500 blog for Windows. Thank you!
In this website you can find also all you need to make your GMA 500 faster and INTEL ATOM Tips.

I talk about many things that you can read on older pages as how to: improve fsb; improve ram,video players,windows,web performance;ect ect. So it's better that you read all the blog before write a comment! (27 posts aren't too much).
The driver available here is programmed by Official Intel Embedded Team and fixed by me for a perfect fit on US15 platform (small form factor of US15W: GMA500 Devices).
Actually my release is compatible with various devices but not all cause it's not possible to determinate all displays configurations (All stuff posted is tested by my trusted device ASUS 1101HA)

All trademarks and\or logos contained in the website's sections belong to their owners.

For any copyright issues or advice don't hesitate to contact me using the appropriate button.

Project ended in 2021, some old link may not work or may return Google Gdrive error so leave a comment.

ITA.Questo sito nasce dalla voglia di rendere più facilmente reperibili informazioni e nuovi driver ottimizzati per la scheda video INTEL GMA 500.

Tutto il materiale postato su questo canale è completamente gratuito e testato dal mio fedele Asus 1101HA. Per tal Motivo non posso garantirne il corretto funzionamento su altri dispositivi nè mi assumo eventuali rischi per danni a cose o persone causati dall'uso improrio delle instruzioni contenute nelle varie guide.

Tutti i marchi e\o loghi,disegni ed immagini contenuti nelle sezioni appartengono ai rispettivi proprietari per eventuali problemi di copyright o consigli non esitate a conttattarmi tramite l'apposito pulsante.

If you like my work consider to:

1. Share blog's link in other forums/social networks (this will help people to find this blog)
2. Make a donation to offer me a coffee :)
3. Share New Tips
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Website's News

01/2024: DOWNLOAD Links are not working correctly...Mega Links ADDED!

09 Jan 2021 Optimus IEMGD (Win 7,8,8.1,10) freeware ALPHA is out!

12 Jan 2021:

-Windows 7 doesn't handle XDDM driver (xp release) backlight anymore, don't know what's wrong with Microsoft in these years(no problem with WDDM but it is another control). I will not check it, it's an obsolete soc to have a look at Microsoft documents.Probably needed acpi fix

-Intel deleted Official Xp and Vista driver web page...now only avaiable win 7 version (error or not?). Intel.com US support can't help for an EOS soc 😂 anyway still avaiable Emgd and OEM releases

-Uploaded again VBIOS patched,software and ASUS 1101ha rom patched in Optimus IEMGD post

-Backuped EMGD suite

-Retested Windows 10 2021 but nothing relevant, use windows 7 home premium 32bit or lite editions

That's all folks!

-18 June 2021 Changing Google Host with Microsoft hosting. Reason: Google uses generic antivirus that can mark as malware Microsoft Visual Studio Projects 😂 I love Google High Quality Service. Remember use only professional antivirus👍

 

DOWNLOAD

Codename	GMA 500
Architecture	PowerVR SGX535 (Serie SGX-5)
Pipelines	4 - unified
Core Speed *	200 MHz
Shader Speed	200 MHz
Memory	Until 1GB Shared
DirectX	DirectX 9.0c, Shader 3.0
Technology	65 nm
Features	OpenGL 2.0, PowerVR SGX Kern, Screen Tiling, Internal True Color Processing,Zero overhead AA, 32 Bit floating-point operations.
Date of Announcement	01.11.2008

Driver	Version	Date	Download
IEMGD 1.18 7/8*/8.1*/10*	8.14.1180.3398	Core 04/04/2013 Rev 2017	Mega Link  MIRROR MIRROR2
Official Intel 7/8*/8.1*/10*	8.14.10.2030	09/16/2010	MIRROR
IEMGD 1.18 XP/Vista*/7*	1.18.0.3398	Core 04/04/2013  Rev 2014	Mega Link  MIRROR MIRROR2
Official Intel XP/Vista*/7*	6.14.11.1018	12/03/2009	N.A.
Official Intel Vista	7.14.10.1006	06/23/2009	N.A.
Mesa3D - Wrappers	2.0	12/08/2017	Mega Link  MIRROR MIRROR2
Optimus IEMGD 7/8/8.1/10	1.2R Alpha	01/09/2021	LINK

  *Compatibility Mode

->PLEASE, READ all blog's posts to avoid no sense questions<-
All drivers released are compiled for Atom Z5xx (US15) with official Intel CED downloadable: HERE

If you like these sources click on ads or think to donate. OFFICIAL GUIDE IEMGD Add-On: HERE

How to Install:

1)Download and UnRar package (for example with WinRAR)

2)Run IEMGD Add-on (in older release WindowsDriverSETUP.cmd or Setup.exe)

3)Select your display max resolution (only in IEMGD add-on) and follow installer instructions

Note. If any problem occurs with installer just try to install the driver manually via control pannel\device manager\Update video card driver

Tip: To Accelerate Setup Process,in IEMGD addon, check "Restart Automatically" Box, "OK" and Accept Unsigned Driver

Note. To Add HDMI Audio Support just Download from your online device support area the video driver package and extract the HDMI folder! Then you have two possibility: 
1)Try to force setup with IEMGD add-on (select your max resolution or external profile, select custom, import Video\Audio files) 
2)Install the files from Windows Device Manager.
Read Official Guide IEMGD add-on for more infos and How to install guide.

How to Uninstall:

Control Pannel\Programs and functions (older xp version can be uninstalled from WindowsDriverSetup.cmd)

Note.If any problem occurs with the driver, uninstall it via Windows Safe Mode to restore Microsoft Default Video Driver

FAQ  (Frequently asked questions)

Is my device compatible?

The Driver works only with (US15) Poulsbo Platform devices and stock Intel GMA500(200Mhz)
N.B.It doesn't work with GMA600 due to the different platform! (probably need some patch in sys path but anyway I don't have any device with this hardware so if you want can send me a laptop for testing)
Can be incompatible with some devices because many displays have different configurations.

This is an incomplete list of confirmed working devices in Win 7\8\8.1\10:

• Auto Configuration works on: Acer AO751H -Asus 1101HA - Asus 1201HA -Archos 9 PC Tablet - Dell Mini 1010 - Kohjinsha SX3 -MSI U115 - Nokia Booklet 3G-Viliv S5, Sony Vaio P VGN-P720K , Sony VGN-P29VN_Q,  ect ect. 
• Other Inf function: Sony Vaio X, Fujitsu U820- U2010 and Asus T91MT/T91
• Tablets\netbooks\notebook that requires CUSTOM Mode Compiling in IEMGD Add-on:Probably some of Sony Devices

Thanks to:

-Vladimir for 1024x600 profile for Asus T91 Series

-Deman   for 1024x768 profile for FSL 979 Winpad

Got black screen with IEMGD or Strange colors view? This mean that common settings are not compatible.

Uninstall it from (options):

A)Control Panel (if Windows shows desktop)

B)Start Windows in Safe Mode -> Control Panel

C)Windows Recovery Console

D)If you have windows 8\8.1\10 with fast boot enabled: restart manually after the windows login with black screen for 3 times. At the next boot will appear Windows Tool\Go do advanced Setting and select Restart in Safe Mode

Try to fix the problem by your own self:

• If there are different profiles, in IEMGD Add-on, for your display max resolution try another one
• If you know your display panel settings use  IEMGD Add-On Custom mode to create a new profile for the driver (please share working profiles!) [MORE info in IEMGD Editor SECTION]
• If you are not good at computer simple check on Google  for another custom package (Googling: EMGD for YOURDEVICE) than share with us that driver!

ITA.In alcuni pc il driver non funziona correttamente (windows si avvia con schermo nero,colori psichedelici o schermo tremante). Questo problema è causato dal file igdlh32.inf . Normalmente, il driver richiede le informazioni specifiche all'hardware ma se l'EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) non è completo (poco importa se la marca del pc asus,acer o altro questo parametro dipende dal display che durante la produzione è stato inserito) vengono utilizzati i settaggi alternativi presenti che non possono garantire il funzionamento corretto su tutti i monitor.

Come potete risolvere? 
1)cercate su Google, o altro motore di ricerca, un driver IEMGD compatibile per il vostro device. In giro ci sono molti Publisher e se volete condividete con noi il file igdlh32.inf contenuto nella cartella LPCO.
2)Sviluppate una configurazione funzionante tramite Intel CED o tramite IEMGD Add-On. Come si fa? Scaricate AIDA64,leggete l'ID del monitor e poi cercate su Internet il datasheet del pannello. All'interno del file digitale troverete tutte le informazioni richieste.

Difference between WinXP\7 vs Win7\8\10 drivers:

WinXP\Vista\7 driver respects XPDM (XP Driver model),supports DXVA 1.0 (DirectX Video Acceleration) and has a better software rendering while Win7\8\8.1\10 ,WDDM 1.1,driver has full support to DVXA 2.0 and a better hardware rendering(reduce CPU usage).
Under Win 7, usually, is better to use a WDDM driver.
Note.On Asus devices, if you use XP driver in Windows 7, have to install SHE FiX to restore Power Saving profile (Mega Link: Download ; Mirror3: Download)

Difference between IEMGD and Intel Default drivers:

• Intel Embedded Media & Graphics Driver has more apps\games compatibility, bugfixes, OpenGL 2.0 support and it is directly setted for highest performace (about +20% vs stock driver). 
• Small fixes were added to make it: light,stable with US15 Platform.Furthermore my Win 7/8/10 custom package includes: the WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model)  1.1 driver; IEMGD Add-On, a fast way to generate custom profiles; multidevices support; AutoSupport for Windows 8/8.1/10; Fixes/workaround for minor bugs like incompatible MS Performance Test, unworking Attribute button, Display detection, Brightness Level Control; a fixed uninstaller,remove all exept OpenGL that will be always enabled, also if you downgrade to official intel driver.
• IEMGD doesn't support downscaling (ex. allows to set 1024x600@1024x768), DPST (Display Power Savings Technology Policy available only when on Battery), ALS(ADB = Automatic Display Brightness Policy available only when on battery in devices with ambient light sensor). Anyway there is no significant battery usage.

Difference between my driver package vs stock embedded driver:

Compiled to work with more devices without download an heavy suite,reduced package size and fixed some problem(really more easy to install it).

Which is the best O.S. for Intel GMA 500?

Microsoft Windows 7 home premium 32bit with some fixes (read Windows SpeedUP)

It's still the best compromise between overall performance and driver features

You can also install an entry level SSD and upgrade RAM to 2GB 800MHz and use Optimus IEMGD

Which is the latest DirectX available for Intel GMA 500?

Hardware support it until DX9c or DX9L but you may install newer package for bugfixes.

DX9L ,called also DX9Ex, is available only for Windows Vista and Win 10 (it doesn't bring benefits to GPU)

Is possible to play 1080p video with Intel GMA 500?

Yes, it is possible with correct video player (see this post) and correct video codec.

GPU supports hardware decoding for H264, MPEG 2/4, VC1, WMV9

Is necessary vBios for install this driver?

No, it isn't. The Driver works correctly also without Embedded vBios (Beta).

Embedded Video Bios isn't compatible with Intel Official GMA 500 Driver and doesn't bring any benifit.

Other Informations about compiling it are avaiable HERE and IEMGD Editor Section

This operation is not suggested on laptop.

What is Mesa3D - Wrapper Package?
Include Software OpenGL for all pc (MESA3d), Glide Wrapper (an old game library), DirectX Wrapper (to OpenGL for newer PC), a backup of stock IEMGD 1.18 Opengl library usable also for GMA600

How to install the MESA3D OpenGL Software Accelerated: This solution is suggested only on Windows 8.x and 10 because the OS doesn't support Hardware OpenGL rendering. Anyway this method has a slow rendering but you will able you to run applications that require OpenGL > 1.1 (Stock Windows). Use Optimus IEMGD (this method will not require any modification to your system) or download Mesa3D - Wrappers Package.
-Unrar it, rename Mesa3D opengl32.dll and overwrite igdogl32.dll in c:\windows\system32 folder.

Note.When your app requires only max OpenGl 1.1 rename c:\windows\system32\igdogl32.dll to, for ex, igdogl32disable.dll,or use Optimus IEMGD option, because Microsoft stock opengl has better performance.

Why Intel GMA 500 is so slow in 3D Graphic?

It is a little bit complicated to say but essentially for GPU low clock,architecture and mostly a not perfect Intel driver.

This kind of platform was develop as MID (Mobile Internet Device): Internet and Media that is exactly what our devices do!

GPU clock seems to be editable only on US15W platform and only before System startup (Read Overclock Section, straps)

Intel Graphics Tool problems?: Upgrading from Official Intel to Embedded Driver without Uninstall the first one causes a wrong copy. Solution: Uninstall the Driver ,Restart pc and reinstall IEMGD

How to use External Monitor Settings: (By Default is setted Clone Mode)

MID = Internal Monitor | Monitor = External Monitor

Single Display= Only a monitor will stay active when video cable is plug-in

Dual Display Clone = Both Monitors show the same Image at the same Resolution and Refresh Rate

Extended Desktop = Each Monitor shows an Image (can be the same if you copy it in extended desktop) and have a proper editable Resolution and Refresh Rate.

For ex. You can see a video1 in MID monitor and a video2 in external Monitor

How to apply Display Color Correction:

Usually this operation is not required by default. MS Windows includes displays tools but take really more time and the results are not so different from stock configuration.

Anyway for "normal" users, that want to try this feature, I suggest to use Intel Tool Utility.

Values are display linked so it's impossible to know which is the best configuration for your monitor.

Stock values are Gamma 1.0, Brightness 0 and Contrast 50

Check if editing color settings there is a better view (in my case I reduced only All Gamma value to 0.8)

Bugs Report:

 

Note.Seems that Microsoft removed backlight control for xp driver (tested under win7 and Vista), editing hw registry will not change level (no problem for now with WDDM driver) so probably check Microsoft bugfix cause acpi and soc drivers will not solve the problem.

Windows XP

Inverted Backlight Control by Fn button after hibernation or sleep-mode (Minor Bug)

VGA enabled only booting OS with video cable plugged-in (Minor Bug)

Without official Microsoft updates is impossible to install it on a fresh clean OS (Support EOS)
Windows 7

No Backlight Control by Fn button after hibernation or Suspension (restart the driver or Optimus IEMGD). Has reported from Microsoft is a bug with acpi state

VGA port enabled only running Intel Graphic Tool or pressing Win+P

Windows 8

Random BSoD: Really suggested to upgrade OS or  install Windows 7/8.1/10

No Backlight Control by Fn button after hibernation or Suspension (restart the driver or Optimus IEMGD). Has reported from Microsoft is a bug with acpi state

VGA port enabled only running Intel Graphic Tool or pressing Win+P

Few random glitches: Minor Bug 

OpenGL Hardware Accelerated is not SUPPORTED (use MESA Software OpenGL)

Recent App display may returns BSoD (disable this feature from Windows bar\properties)

Metro Video App, other Metro's Apps, Internet Explorer  don't use hardware acceleration

Windows 8.1

No Backlight Control by Fn button after hibernation or Suspension (use software controller or Optimus IEMGD). Has reported from Microsoft is a bug with acpi state

VGA port enabled only running Intel Graphic Tool or pressing Win+P

Few random glitches: Minor Bug 

OpenGL Hardware Accelerated is not SUPPORTED (use MESA Software OpenGL)

Recent App display may returns BSoD (disable this feature from Windows bar\properties)

Metro Video App, other Metro's Apps, Internet Explorer  don't use hardware acceleration

Windows 10

No Backlight Control by Fn button after hibernation or Suspension (use software controller or Optimus IEMGD). Has reported from Microsoft is a bug with acpi state

VGA port enabled only running Intel Graphic Tool or pressing Win+P

Few random glitches: Minor Bug 

OpenGL Hardware Accelerated is not SUPPORTED (use MESA Software OpenGL)

Recent App display may returns BSoD (disable this feature from Windows bar\properties)

Metro Video App, other Metro's Apps, Internet Explorer  don't use hardware acceleration

Common Tweaks:

- Install latest DirectX

- Enable Intel Hyper threading (read Windows SpeedUP)

- Set Paging file size  (read Windows SpeedUP)

- Install 2GB RAM (suggested Sodimm CL5 800MHz DDR2 price 20€, anyway aliexpress less 10€)
- Install an entry level SSD (20€) to speed up,a little, the OS (aliexpress less 15€)

- Install Video Codec Pack + Alternative Video Player

- Overclock your processor and use High Performance mode on Windows 7 settings (Optimus IEMGD)

- Use correct Web Browser

- Improve DPI if you have a small display with elevated pixel (better view)

THANKS TO TESTERS! Custom Support is ENDED (no more upgrades).

If you are getting problems with lastest revision, write a comment, try old builds or google for another custom driver and share with us your working configuration.

Review: Windows 10 RTM - Intel Atom (GMA 500)

Finally I decided to test the rtm version of Windows 10 Home 32 bit (Updated Sept 2015) and here there are my considerations.
The Intel Atom Z520 cpu and gma 500 aren't the best hardware for running this new OS but anyway with some tweak you can run it with enough satisfaction a basic Windows 10.

Let's start:
Min System Requirements:
-CPU 1GHz or faster with PAE,NX and SSE2
-RAM 1GB (32bit version)
-Hard Disk 16GB (32bit version)
-Graphic Card DirectX 9 with a WDDM driver

Test Device: Asus 1101HA with Intel Atom Z520 @1.33MHz, 2GB, Hardisk @5400rpm

Installing on my fresh cleaned hardisk ,i've immidiately found a bug on installer. Like in Inseder preview, is not possible to disable all functions in the setup (the installer will restart) so I've used common settings.
At the first boot (without any driver) there is something that isn't working correctly: CPU usage isn't costant in idle so i've started my optimization.

 

Installed Programs:
-All Suggested Updates until 08 sept 2015
-Adobe Flash Player for Qupzilla
-Qupzilla
-Video Driver Iemgd 1.18
-Optimus IEMGD 1.2 (internal test)
-Winrar
-K-lite codek pack 1140 LAV+DXVA2+Render stock
-Asus suite driver package by me (Asus ACPI, Asus SHE,Synaptics Driver). On Win 8.x and 10 synaptics driver uses 3% CPU always, it's a software problem. To solve it, if you don't need gestures, go to scheduler and disable synaptics autorun.

Reducing CPU,RAM and HD Stress
-Enabled hyperthrading
-Fixed Boot Settings because still win 8.1 option was present  (easyBCD tool)
-Disabled onedrive autorun
-Local account (suggested because preserve RAM,CPU and your Privacy)
-Avalon/WPF Disabled + no filter
-System V-sync Disabled
-Disabled 3 services
-Disabled milions of settings in settings\privacy ect
-Disabled UAC
-Setted no trasparent color for windows bar and start menu (i've also resized it)
-Disabled Windows Defender (reduce CPU stress; with No Defender tool but probably works also Winaero one)
-KMS for win 10 (with a fresh install you need a product key..so let's use warez)
-No hd buffering cache
-Qupzilla setted with: no scroll animations, chrome theme, enlarged cache,no osd,ect
-Disabled Synaptics Software Autorun from Scheduler
-Disabled Cortana (reduce CPU,RAM stress and improve your Privacy
-Disabled momentarily Fast Boot to renable SHE overclock at 30% (only for Asus 1101HA)
-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop|"MenuShowDelay"="0"
-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse|"MouseHoverTime"="0"
-Disabled Notification Center: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer DWORD:DisableNotificationCenter =1
-Disabled Windows Defender notification
-Disabled Microsoft Visual Effects too heavy for GMA500
-Removed Store and Windows App (film and TV ect,ect. My device doesn't have enough power for HTML5) via Powershell command
-Removed OneDrive link from start menu
-Disabled Windows Update
-Superfetch setted registry value: 2=Only on boot (i know it is usefull but when HD is above 80% of usage system is slow: hardware limit )
-Removed all password requests

Initial Results:
It is faster than win 8.1 and Win 7
CPU usage in idle 5'min after boot =  2%
RAM usage in idle 5'min after boot =  30%
Hardisk space 11.6GB
Adele set fire HD fullscreen and windowed youtube @1.33GHz with Multipler x10 = 10-12 fps
Adele set fire HD fullscreen youtube @1.74GHz with Multipler x10= 10-14 fps
Adele set fire 480p fullscreen and windowed youtybe @1.74GHz with Multipler x10= 13-16 fps
As always no hardware opengl supported and restart pc causes BSoD with intel embedded driver
Few glitches
Reduced  compatibility with old games: FIFA 2002 demo crash, GTA III really low fps also after update the diretx SDK. Note. Version of diretx used by gpu in win 10 is 9Ex.
System stability and multimedia work Good! Anyway embedded video driver works a little better with win 7, expecially for opengl and old game.
This test is only to show how is possible to optimize windows, but is too extreme because it leaves the core system. Without many services system is faster than windows 7 but you will only have an updated GUI OS with many problems with old programs and worst gpu performance. I still love windows 7 home premium 32bit

Bugs\Info with Intel Embedded driver for GMA 500:

-Restarting PC causes BsoD (IEMGD problem) Seems to be bugfixed in newer release

-Metro Video App doesn't use Hardware rendering anyway desktop mediaplayer uses it

-No Hardware OpenGL rendering (you can still use MESA3D OpenGL but are software accelerated and so slow)

+Using QupZilla,as web browser, Adobe Flash Player uses hardware rendering for Video decoding and rendering (so supported HD videos on youtube).Strange behaviour of Adobe Plugins: The performance are really slow with Chrome and Internet Explorer where Video decoding is software while in FireFox and Opera is hardware.

-HTML5 Videos are not supported by GPU so only an intel Z540 can play this format quickly.

-Cold system boot with IEMGD Driver: 25' sec (on win 8.1 = 40')

-RAM usage with few tips and IEMGD Driver 32% (on win 8.1=  range 35-40%)

-More stable than Win 8 with Embedded Video Driver

-Better performance than Win 8 (GMA 500 works better with Windows 7)

-My package Asus Suite Driver works correctly (overclock and Fn functions)

Still need to check if it is possible:
-Remove Windows Feedback app or link in start menu
-Remove Contact Support app or link in start menu
-Remove Cortana app or link in start menu

Still not performed: 
-Disable some service
-No windows indexer
-Fix paging file

Edit. Retested Jan 2021 Nothing more to say require a lot of time to disable services. Not suggested! Disable DWM mode is changed in years, it is still disable but with a lot of problems. Remember the best OS of this soc is Windows 7 where you can play with xpdm or wddm driver and optimize tasks

Linux on GMA 500

NOTE. If you are a linux user with gma 500 video card ,please, add a comment with your experience ;)

Let's start saying that GMA 500 works better with Microsoft products but anyway linux distros may be faster than Win 7. (I'm talking about system speed but i'm not so sure vs winxp and win 7 with classic theme + tweaks on US15 platform)

Linux is an opensource OS but,unfortunately, this has determinate the emergence of billions of distros that sometimes may confuse users migrating from other OS like MS or Mac...anyway leaving my thoughts let's talk of GMA 500 vs Linux.

I will not speak about the problems in linux with drivers (you can find some bugfix googling: like how to restore backlight,correct the resolution,resolve black screen), but i will show you a first look of the driver situation on Linux (April 2014)

First step "How to install a Linux distro"

1)Download UNetbootin

2)From the program choose if download a distro (check the list) or simply add an iso (downloaded before)

NOTE.Min Requirements  Ubuntu 12.04's distro: CPU 300MHz;  384MB RAM; 1GB Hard Disk; Display 640x480

Available Drivers

Theare two main partial working driver for US15 platform:

1)gma500_gfx, an updated version of psb_gfx, that is included since ubuntu 12.04

2)EMGD official, an updated version of IEGD for Fedora 7, that support Fedora 14 (Kernel version 2.6.35)
Intel EMGD was modified to make it working also in other distros like Ubuntu/Xubuntu/Lubuntu/ect but works only in few distros (in a first moment it was working only with kernel <3.0 (build max May 2011), now it's possible to install it with some trick but not always.

Why there is no open-source driver
Intel reply: Unfortunately we are not able to support all of the various distributions of Linux that are available. It is simply not practical to do that, and we are not able to provide 100% of the source code due to some IP involved in the media and 3d acceleration portions of the driver.

N.B.Reading from ubuntu pages: upgrade to ubuntu>12.04 isn't suggested for poor performance with the gpu

Main Difference: 

-gma500_gfx is Software Accelerated Driver (so performance depends by your CPU better with Atom >Z530 or overclocked CPU)

-EMGD\IEGD is Hardware Accelerated (better performance and less power consumption)

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NOTE for Terminal:

RAM available  "free"

Driver Installed "lsmod | grep gma" check that gma500_gfx is installed if you are not using EMG

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[TESTs]

Device: Asus 1101ha @1.33GHz, 2GB RAM, GMA 500, 1366x768 display

A)Ubuntu 12.04 (screen resolution 1366x768 is auto detected):

YouTube.com  WINDOWED - FULLSCREEN

1080p:             3  FPS             2FPS

720p:               3  FPS             3FPS

480p                9  FPS             5FPS

380p                25FPS             7FPS

AVI Trailer with default player:

1080p <1FPS

720p   <1FPS

Adding Suggested Tips: Ubuntu WIKI

A)"MPlayer"

<<Due to the lack of Hardware accelerated video playback in the gma500_gtx kernel driver, at current video playback can be very slow, it can freeze, jump and the audio and video can desynchronise, However it is possible to avoid this by using mplayer with multithreading>>

1. Install mplayer: sudo apt-get install mplayer

2. Go into the directory containing your video: in my case was "cd /home/eeepc/Scaricati" where eeepc is my username and Scaricati is Downloads folder

3. Play the video: "mplayer -lavdopts threads=4 -framedrop yourvideofile.avi" in my case was born.mp4 fullhd video 

This will drop frames when needed, and use 4 threads (You should change this depending on your Atom Processor) meaning playing HD video is possible.

Result: Better situation than default player but 720p video runs still 1FPS

B)Adding more RAM to the GPU:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub   This will open grub with administrator rights

Add one of these lines and save the file:

For 1GB devices  GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="mem=896mb"

For 2GB devices  GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="mem=1920mb"

sudo update-grub 'To update grub informations

Conclusion: Poor Multimedia Performance (Windows wins without any dubt)

B)Fedora 14 (codename Laughlin, November 2010) this version is directly supported by IEMGD but i haven't still test this driver.

Comments without IEMGD: Slow boot, with basic driver max resolution is 1024x768;  old basic video driver has slow performance; RAM USAGE 170MB

C)Lubuntu 13.10 (Autodetect 1366x768 display)

Really better than Ubuntu 12.04 and Fedora 14, system is fast but anyway GPU driver is gma500_gfx so it's only Software Accelerated.

RAM USAGE: 100MB with default driver

This Distro is faster than Win7 and is suggested only for DESKTOP USAGE.

VIDEOs:

DIVX full Supported (<720p)

720p: Atom Z520 CPU Usage 98%, watchable but audio async

1080p: Lags, a lot of frame skips (not suggested)

YouTube.com  WINDOWED - FULLSCREEN

1080p:             3  FPS             2FPS

720p:               10  FPS             3FPS

480p                15  FPS             6FPS

380p                25FPS             10FPS

Note don't play anything else!

D)LUBUNTU 14.04.5 LTS + EMGD
Should be supported also 16 but in my test OS not loaded after install emgd 
You can install also Ubuntu with command written down but for edit files you can't use leafpad but gedit
Idle RAM: 135MB
Low EMGD rendering vs Windows EMGD
EMGD package upgrade  Xorg from 1.18.3 to 1.9.5/1.9.6

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INSTALLING EMGD and Enabling VAAPI on Ubuntu 10.04 (Guide by Linux-Tipps.blogspot.com)
Other Infos about Ubuntu 9.10: HERE
1)Download and install EMGD
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gma500/ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gma500/fix
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install poulsbo-driver-3d
2)Reboot OS
3)Set up Xorg.conf:
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "GMA500"
Option "AccelMethod" "EXA"
Option "DRI" "on"
Option "MigrationHeuristic" "greedy"
Option "IgnoreACPI" "yes"
Driver "psb"
EndSection
4)Reboot OS
5)VideoPlayers:
wget http://www.splitted-desktop.com/~gbeauchesne/mplayer-vaapi/mplayer-vaapi-20100114.i686.tar.bz2
unp mplayer-vaapi*
sudo apt-get install mplayer libgtop2-7
mplayer -vo vaapi -va vaapi testfile.avi

VLC: 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:c-korn/vlc && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install vlc

INSTALLING in LUBUNTU 14.04 or UBUNTU (another way)
1) Open LX terminal

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:thopiekar/emgd
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install emgd-drm-dkms xserver-xorg-1.9-video-emgd

2)it's time to blacklist gma500_gfx default driver

sudo leafpad 

and compile and save in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-gma500.conf (paste following content)

#use the EMGD driver instead
blacklist gma500_gfx

3)Configure Xorg in /etc/X11/xorg.conf

sudo leafpad 

Paste this:

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Intel EMGD"
    Driver     "emgd"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Screen0"
 Device "Intel EMGD"
 SubSection "Display"
  Modes "1366x768"
 EndSubSection
EndSection

4)Fixing Audio

Edit and save the file /etc/pulse/default.pa always whit sudo leafpad

search  for load-module module-udev-detect and add tsched=0

result:  load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0

My conclusion: 

Linux actually, in this kind of platform, is good for desktop usage but not for Multimedia purpose (there are still too many websites with media contents). System can run, via Software Rendering, youtube but you need overclock to see  480p windowed videos.
The 3D Rendering is absent in gma500_gfx driver.

The EMGD for linux is still the best choice for multimedia goal but is outdated, not so fast, and not compatible with all distros (excellent combo!)

Start testing light distro like Lubuntu and Xubuntu

Take a look at these EXTERNAL LINKs for more infos:

https://launchpad.net/~gma500

https://launchpad.net/~thopiekar/+archive/emgd

https://github.com/EMGD-Community/intel-binaries-linux 

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PoulsboObsoleteDrivers

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1229345

EMGD driver

Release	Kernel	Xorg	EMGD Version	2D accel	3D compiz	Normal Video Playback (Xv)	Hardware Video Acceleration1
Oneiric (11.10) +	3.0.0-x	1.10	1.10+	N/A
	3.0.0-x	Downgraded 1.9	1.8	Acceptable	Excellent	Excellent	Acceptable
Natty (11.04)	2.6.xx	1.10	1.10+	N/A
	2.6.38-x	Downgraded 1.9	1.8	Acceptable	Excellent	Excellent	Acceptable
Lucid (10.04)	2.6.32-x	Upgraded 1.8	1.6	Acceptable	Excellent	Excellent	N/A

PSB driver

Release	Kernel	Xorg	2D accel	3D compiz	Normal Video Playback (Xv)	Hardware Video Acceleration1
Oneiric (11.10)	3.0.0-x	1.10	N/A
Natty (11.04)	Upgraded 2.6.39-rc1	1.10	N/A
	2.6.38-x	1.10	N/A
	Downgraded 2.6.35-x	1.10	Excellent	Bad	Acceptable	Excellent