Open GPU Documentation by AMD
Chip manufacturer AMD has released documentation for its ATI graphics chips on the "Open GPU Documentation" website.
The website, which was set up just recently, is part of the AMD homepage. AMD uses it to provide comprehensive documentation at register level for AMD graphics chips. Thus far, documentation for the AMD R5xx, AMD R6xx and AMD RS6xx series chips has been published. According to AMD this includes both information on chips for both desktops and mobile devices. As the website says: "Documents for mobile chips are a superset of the desktop chip documentation; they contain all the desktop chip information as well as any relevant mobile additions." On top of this, AMD has set up a separate email address for queries from developers.
The published documents, titled M56, M76, RV630 and RS690, have been publically available since September 2007 via the X.Org website. Documentation for the 3D and R600 2D is likely to follow in the near future.
The "Open GPU Documentation" label implies that the documentation does not bind developers to any further commitments, however, this has not always been the case. In the period leading up to the release, there were contradictory reports stating that the documentation would only be made available to developers after signing a confidentiality agreement (see the Linux Magazine report here).
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.