Linux to Make AMDGPU the Default Driver for GCN 1.1 GPUs Like Radeon R9 290/390 and HD 7790
A significant milestone is coming for Linux graphics support, as newly proposed patches will make AMDGPU the default open-source kernel driver for AMD’s GCN 1.1 (Sea Islands) architecture. This transition marks a major improvement for users of older AMD GPUs such as the Radeon R9 290, R9 390, HD 7790, and HD 8870, which have historically relied on the legacy Radeon driver.
As reported by Phoronix, the patches were submitted by Timur Kristóf, a member of Valve’s Linux graphics driver team, and published through the Freedesktop.org AMD graphics mailing list. Kristóf’s proposed changes will shift the default driver selection mechanism, allowing the Linux kernel to automatically use AMDGPU for GCN 1.1-based GPUs.
Historically, the AMDGPU driver has been the standard for newer AMD architectures, beginning with GCN 1.2 (Volcanic Islands) and continuing through RDNA and RDNA 2. Older GCN 1.0 and 1.1 GPUs remained under the Radeon driver by default, though users could manually enable AMDGPU through kernel parameters. With these new patches, the kernel will automatically assign AMDGPU to compatible GCN 1.1 cards, simplifying setup and improving feature support.
The patch adds a new configuration flag, “-1”, which instructs the kernel to determine the optimal driver automatically. This change effectively means that the Radeon and AMDGPU modules will no longer compete for device initialization; instead, AMDGPU will take precedence for supported GCN 1.1 devices.
One of the primary benefits of this transition is feature parity and long-term support. The AMDGPU driver is under continuous active development, bringing modern capabilities and optimizations unavailable in the older Radeon driver. Users can expect better performance, improved power management, and full access to newer APIs and technologies.
Among the enhancements:
Vulkan 1.3 support through the RADV driver.
Improved display management through AMD’s Display Core (DC) subsystem.
Enhanced compatibility with modern Linux distributions and graphical environments.
This move also ensures that older GCN GPUs remain relevant for years to come, benefitting from the same kernel-level improvements and bug fixes as newer architectures.
A major obstacle that delayed the migration of older GCN hardware to AMDGPU was the lack of analog video output support, particularly for VGA connectors still present on some legacy systems. However, this limitation has now been resolved, with analog output fully integrated into the AMDGPU Display Core. With complete feature parity now achieved, there are no longer technical barriers preventing GCN 1.1 devices from defaulting to AMDGPU.
This update represents a critical milestone for Linux users who continue to rely on GCN-era GPUs, as it ensures better stability, performance, and compatibility moving forward.
Kristóf’s submission notes that the GCN 1.0 (Southern Islands) architecture will likely follow soon. This includes older models such as the Radeon HD 7950, HD 7970, R9 270, and R9 280, which are expected to transition to AMDGPU in future kernel updates once validation and testing are complete.
The adoption of AMDGPU as the default driver across all GCN generations signifies the continued growth of open-source GPU support under Linux. This move strengthens the AMD ecosystem on Linux and ensures that both new and legacy users benefit from a unified, modern driver foundation.
Do you think this shift to AMDGPU for older GCN GPUs will breathe new life into legacy hardware on Linux, or do you believe these cards have reached their limit? Share your views below.
