AMD’s next-gen RDNA 4 GPUs are expected to launch in the second half of 2024 with the arrival of the RX 8000 series and as time draws closer, more and more information has been spreading. New patches and support in ACO Compiler and MESA point towards full support for Linux-based devices at launch.
There have been multiple new patches that refer to this, unsurprisingly the majority of it coming from developers at Valve. They are familiar with working with Linux, particularly for the custom operating system on the Steam Deck, and have lent and open-source helping hand.
RDNA 4 GPUs closing in on full Linux support
ACO is Valve’s AMD Shader Compiler for the open-source Mesa 3D Graphics Library and a new merge request on GitLab makes various changes in preparation for GFX12 (a codename for the 8000 series) architecture support. All of this relates to Linux support for implementing graphics APIs such as OpenGL and Vulkan, and could already point towards full support at launch.
This news comes after previous reports from Phoronix that Valve has been preparing driver support for RDNA 4, particularly Vulkan and OpenGL drivers. The ACO compiler is dedicated to dealing with resources such as these and these new changes build upon the groundwork.
GPU driver support for Linux-based devices isn’t always the best, but it looks like AMD has been sure to focus on this with these patches. You can find Linux Drivers for AMD Radeon Graphics here, and we could see the RX 8000 series soon join the list when it arrives later on this year.
From what we’ve seen so far, Navi 44 and Navi 48 are the two chips for the next generation, representing a more mid-range focused line-up. All of this preparation could see complete support as soon as they launch, especially with lots of development being focused on Linux support for MESA’s RADV Vulkan driver.
