AMD starts wiring GDDR7 and new GPU IP into Linux kernel drivers

The driver updates point to active bring-up of RDNA 5 discrete Radeon GPUs, even as AMD keeps specs and timing under wraps.

AMD has started upstreaming GDDR7 support and new graphics IP blocks to its open‑source Linux kernel GPU driver, signaling active software bring‑up for its next generation of discrete Radeon cards. The patches add identification for GDDR7 memory alongside enablement for IH 8.0, NBIF 7.10, DCN6 and GFX 13.0.x, which together point to an upcoming GPU architecture. AMD’s current RDNA 4‑based Radeon RX 9000‑series uses GDDR6, so GDDR7 hooks are a strong indication that at least some RDNA 5‑class boards will ship with the newer memory standard. Public information previously showed Senior Fellow Laks Pappu leading AMD’s next‑gen datacenter and discrete GPU platforms, including work on both chiplet‑based and monolithic graphics SoCs using advanced packaging. AMD has not officially published RDNA 5 specifications or a launch window, but the Linux driver work and prior disclosures make clear that new standalone GPUs are in active development.