AMD Adds Next-Gen RDNA 4 GPU Support In Linux Kernel Driver, At-Launch Support Becomes Imminent

AMD's official Linux kernel compute driver has now received additional support for RDNA 4 GPU enablement, ensuring full-proof at-launch support.

AMD has been proactive in recent days regarding GFX12 or RDNA 4 support. The firm has introduced several new improvements and enhancements to ensure that the Linux platform isn't deprived during official launch timelines. AMD engineers, this time, have brought in new updates for both AMDGPU and AMDKFD drivers, both of which focus on RDNA4-relevant patches.

Speaking of AMDGPU, the firm has brought in DCN 4.0.x support, GC 12.0 support, GMC 12.0 support, SMU 13 updates, MES 12 support, along with minor changes for the new RDNA 3.5 architecture, and the new Ryzen AI 300 "Strix" APUs.

The more significant changes are brought into AMD's Linux kernel compute driver, which has seen the inclusion of more enhanced handling for Ryzen APUs in terms of memory limitations and default limits. The newer patches target "contiguous vRAM allocations" and VRAM handling, ensuring a smoother response when computing at Linux through Ryzen APUs. Focusing on APUs has become more essential for AMD since, with the AI PC hype, the focus has shifted to "mobile" CPUs.

The Linux driver also adds support for GFX1151 "Strix Halo" & GFX1152 "Krackan Point" APUs that will retain the RDNA 4 GPU.

It looks like AMD is on track to prepare Linux for its next-gen GPU architecture, and this time, on-launch support will be in full force. Just recently, Team Red brought in several patches targeted towards the RadeonSI OpenGL driver along with Valve's ACO compiler, so it's safe to say that the experience on Linux with RDNA 4 will be much smoother than ever.

News Source: Phoronix