AMD adds GDDR7 support to its Linux drivers, teasing RDNA 5 gaming GPUs
AMD teases next-generation Radeon with Linux driver update
AMD has released a new open-source Linux graphics driver update that has added support for GDDR7 memory. This update adds GDDR7 to AMD’s list of supported GPU memory types, a first for Radeon.
AMD’s updated VRAM support teases AMD’s plans for RDNA 5. AMD skipped GDDR7 memory with RDNA 4, choosing instead to continue using GDDR6 memory. This appears to have been a good move for AMD, as it has reportedly helped AMD to maintain lower prices for its current-generation graphics cards. That said, to deliver strong generational performance gains with RDNA 5, AMD will need more memory bandwidth, which likely requires a move to faster GDDR7 memory.
Other patches to AMD’s Linux driver include support for its IH 8.0 IP block, AMD’s new Interrupt Handler, and NBIF 7.10, AMD’s New Bus Interface. Other recent patches include support for AMD’s Display Core Next 6 (DCN 6) and other GFX 13.0.x (RDNA 5) related changes.
(Image from Phoronix)
AMD is preparing Linux support for its next-generation graphics chips far ahead of launch. This signals strong day-1 Linux support for RDNA 5. RDNA 5 is expected to be a critical architecture for AMD. It is reportedly powering both the next-generation PlayStation and next-generation Xbox. Furthermore, it is likely to power the next wave of handheld gaming devices. Note that this may include both handheld gaming PCs and a portable PlayStation console.
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