AMD starts the ball rolling for GDDR7 in next-gen GPUs with small code adjustment in its Linux drivers
AMD has taken an initial step toward supporting GDDR7 memory in its next-generation graphics processors by adding the memory type identifier to its Linux graphics driver. The change, spotted by Phoronix, consists of a single line modification to AMD’s open-source AMDGPU driver code that introduces GDDR7 support alongside existing memory configurations.
Currently, AMD’s Radeon 9000 series GPUs rely on GDDR6 memory, while Nvidia has already transitioned to GDDR7 with its recently launched RTX 50-series graphics cards. The addition of GDDR7 support in AMD’s driver code strongly suggests the company plans to adopt the faster memory standard with its upcoming GPU lineup, aligning with industry trends toward improved memory bandwidth and performance.
While the code change itself is minimal, driver updates typically precede hardware launches, making this early indication of GDDR7 support a noteworthy signal for enthusiasts tracking AMD’s GPU roadmap. The modification demonstrates AMD’s preparation for next-generation architectures as the memory market continues to evolve.
Reporting suggests AMD’s RDNA 5 architecture could arrive by late 2025 or 2026, which would likely mark the debut of the company’s GDDR7-equipped offerings. This incremental driver update represents foundational work necessary to ensure compatibility when those hardware platforms launch.