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A new AMDGPU patch has enabled Team Red’s Linux graphics driver to recognize GDDR7 VRAM ahead of the next generation of Radeon GPUs. Based on a rumor last week, AMD might only launch one RDNA 5 graphics card next year, all the while facing no direct competition from key rival Nvidia, as hardware shortages continue to disrupt the industry.
Nvidia already upgraded to GDDR7 for the RTX 50 series (across the entire line-up, excluding the entry-level RTX 5050, which sticks to GDDR6). AMD’s current flagship, the RX 9070 XT, and its previous RX 7000 series GPUs all share the last-gen memory type. With memory costs far from ideal right now, we can only wait and see how the most expensive GDDR7 option may affect final pricing.
GDDR7 support for AMD graphics cards
“Add GDDR7 vram name” is the simple patch note spotted in the open-source AMDGPU (the official Linux driver) update, dated September 21. It’s the first direct reference to the memory type in AMD’s graphics software stack, and while it’s a tiny change, it’s a notable one – joining other recognized entries such as GDDR6, HBM3E, and HBM4.
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The change was published by AMD engineer Frank Min, reviewed by AMD’s Hawking Zhang, and reviewed by Alex Deucher, who is a regular AMDGPU maintainer. Other recent graphics work done to the Linux driver includes Display Core Next 6 (DCN 6) development, enabling IP block IH 8.0, and NBIF (New Bus InterFace) v.710 support.
Current rumors suggest AMD’s new RDNA 7 graphics card for 2027 won’t be a flagship model, but the possible upgrade to GDDR7 is at least a step up in one facet. The company is currently expected to launch a single mid-range option, leaving a new flagship option for 2028 to compete with Nvidia’s RTX 60 series – and we still don’t really know what’s happening with RTX 50 Super.
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