Very old AMD graphics cards are getting a significant speed upgrade on Linux thanks to a driver change. The upcoming Linux kernel update will shift aging GCN architecture GPUs, like the Radeon HD 7950 from the early 2010s, from the old Radeon driver to the newer AMDGPU driver used by modern hardware. Early testing shows this transition delivers major performance gains across many applications.
Benchmarks comparing the two drivers reveal that the newer one provides a large boost, around thirty percent faster in several Vulkan-based games. Titles like Dirt Rally 2.0 and Strange Brigade saw much higher frame rates. The change also enables proper Vulkan API support for these older cards through the RADV driver, reducing processor bottlenecks in supported games. This does not mean the hardware can suddenly run the latest AAA titles, as the cards still lack modern features and have limited video memory, but it greatly improves their capability with older Vulkan games.
The driver update is scheduled for inclusion in the Linux kernel release expected early next year. This move essentially extends the functional life of legacy AMD graphics hardware by granting access to a more optimized and feature-complete driver stack, with noticeable real-world benefits for users sticking with older systems.
Benchmarks comparing the two drivers reveal that the newer one provides a large boost, around thirty percent faster in several Vulkan-based games. Titles like Dirt Rally 2.0 and Strange Brigade saw much higher frame rates. The change also enables proper Vulkan API support for these older cards through the RADV driver, reducing processor bottlenecks in supported games. This does not mean the hardware can suddenly run the latest AAA titles, as the cards still lack modern features and have limited video memory, but it greatly improves their capability with older Vulkan games.
The driver update is scheduled for inclusion in the Linux kernel release expected early next year. This move essentially extends the functional life of legacy AMD graphics hardware by granting access to a more optimized and feature-complete driver stack, with noticeable real-world benefits for users sticking with older systems.
