http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6086
--- Comment #46 from Ville Aakko ville.aakko@gmail.com 2007-09-28 11:35:55 --- I'm using an nvidia card (Geforce4 Ti 4800SE), and experiencing this problem, so this can't be a ATI/Nvidia issue purely... though, it could have something to do with legacy code in Xorg drivers, as Geforce4 are in the "newer legacy" group of Nvidia card (i.e. they work with the 1.0.96xx series drivers, not on any greater version number, IIRC).
One thing I thought about was that maybe this has something to do with Kernel (scheduling perhaps)? Some distros could have different settings on their stock kernel... though, I think that is a bit far fetched probably. So I haven't tried that, since it would require a recompile of the kernel and probably wouldn't have any effect. But of course, if I become bored and find something, I'll report here =)
I could also try with a plain SVGA X.org driver (without DRI) just to see what happens, if I become very bored. I think that would give some insight as to what is happening...