New Linux Patches Posted by AMD! RDNA 4 Graphics Coming Soon?
Feb. 8, 2024Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has just posted a newpatch seriesfor Linux. This is expected in preparation forRDNA 4, the next-generation graphics architecture.
For now, these patches don’t tell us much. Simply put, AMD’s Linux team is performing enablement work for an unannounced new graphics architecture. Wedon’t knowwhen exactly RDNA 4 is going to come out, so hold your horses. Still, this is pretty exciting because the latestSteam Deck 2rumors suggest it may use AMD’s RDNA 4 as the graphics architecture!
Moreover, I am super pumped for the highest-end RDNA 4 desktop graphics card, which will eventually compete against Nvidia’s next behemoth, expected to be theRTX 5090. As perPhoronix, AMD’s Linux team has posted the new patches to enable “updated IP (intellectual property) blocks” for the GPU driver by AMD made for the Linux kernel.
Reportedly, these new patches are for enabling LSDMA 7.0, IH 7.0, HDP 7.0, and ATHUB 4.1. These are all components in preparation forGFX12(which is, again, RDNA 4 if predictions are right). These IP blocks have drasticallyhigher version numbers. This further points us towards the new components being meant for RDNA 4. This will be Team Red’s next major graphics architecture overhaul!
ATHUB 4.1 is needed for clock-gating / power management features, LSDMA 7.0 is the latest IP for Light SDMA for general purpose System DMA (SDMA) on the GPU, IH 7.0 for the Interrupt Handler on the GPU, and HDP 7.0 for the Host Data Path support for CPU accessing the GPU device memory via the PCI BAR. – Michael Larabel, Phoronix
What are your thoughts on initial RDNA 4 enablement through Linux patches? When do you think AMD will release the new generation graphics architecture? Let us know in the comments below.
Highly passionate about technology. Major expertise in PC hardware, the VR industry, esports-centric gear, and other gadgets. In my spare time, I’m usually researching exciting hardware breakthroughs or playing competitive games.
