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AMD issues new Linux drivers

by on27 July 2015


Still a few problems

AMD has released new Linux drivers for the upcoming Linux 4.2 kernel.

The drivers include the new "AMDGPU" kernel driver which succeeds the "Radeon" DRM kernel driver.

For those who came in late this is part of AMD's long talked about new Linux driver architecture for supporting the latest GPUs and all future GPUs.

However the drivers are missing some important things. The new open-source AMDGPU Linux code works for Tonga/Carrizo GPUs but it doesn't support the latest R9 Fury "Fiji" GPUs.

It lacks re-clocking/DPM for Tonga GPUs which will mean that these will have lower performance. Clearly there are stability issues under high-load OpenGL apps/games.

According to Slashdot, Linux users need to get the code into a working state with the latest kernel and forked versions of Mesa, libdrm, new proprietary microcode files, and the new xf86-video-amdgpu user-space driver. Not someone new to Linux would want to do.

With Linux for games getting more important, AMD is going to have to pull finger on this.

Last modified on 27 July 2015
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