Linux Continues to Support 20-Year-Old GPUs, Leaving Windows in the Dust
By Rachel Kim, News Editor & SEO Strategist, world-today-news.com
In a remarkable display of longevity and open-source commitment, the Linux operating system, through its Mesa 3D graphics library, is set to continue supporting ATI Radeon graphics cards that are over two decades old.This news comes as a stark contrast to Windows, which ceased support for these GPUs more than 15 years ago.
Mesa, the open-source project providing crucial 3D graphics interfaces like Vulkan and OpenGL, is receiving a patch to add memory query functionality for the “R300″ (Radeon 9000, X300, X500, X600), ”R400” (X700, X800), and “R500” (X1000) series of ATI Radeon graphics cards. This update, submitted as a merge request by developer brais Solla, will add two OpenGL memory query calls – “OpenGL GLATH GLATIMEMINFO” and “GLNVXGPUMEMORY_INFO” - offering continued functionality for these aging but still-used GPUs.
The significance of this update lies in its demonstration of the power of open-source development. While manufacturers often discontinue driver support for older hardware to focus on newer products, the Mesa project, driven by a community of developers, continues to breathe new life into legacy systems.
This isn’t just about nostalgia. For users who rely on older hardware – perhaps for specific applications, embedded systems, or simply due to budgetary constraints – continued software support is vital. Linux and Mesa provide a lifeline, allowing these users to keep their systems running smoothly long after official support has ended elsewhere.
The updates are slated for release in Mesa 25.3, expected between October and December of this year. For context, Windows officially ended support for the “R300” series in March 2009 with Catalyst driver 9.3, shifting focus to the Radeon HD 2000 series (“R600”).This latest development underscores Linux’s reputation as a platform that prioritizes hardware longevity and user choice, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking to maximize the
