For Linux enthusiasts who are still relying on older AMD graphics cards (for instance, those built on GCN 1.0 or GCN 1.1 architectures), the forthcoming Linux 6.19 kernel is set to bring about notable enhancements in performance. Based on the tests conducted by Phoronix, the Radeon HD 7950 graphics card, which hit the market back in 2012, experienced a performance leap of up to 30% when paired with the new kernel. This leap forward is attributed to Linux 6.19's decision to replace the default driver for older graphics cards, transitioning from the Radeon driver to the more cutting-edge AMDGPU kernel driver.

This strategic shift was initiated by engineers at Valve, with the primary goal of extending modern feature support to older graphics cards. Testing results indicate that the new driver consistently outperforms its predecessor across all tested scenarios. The most substantial performance gain was recorded in the GravityMark 1.87 OpenGL test. Moreover, the new kernel also bolsters support for features such as Mesa and RADV Vulkan drivers. This advancement enables older graphics cards to run a wider array of games via the Proton platform, ultimately providing users with a smoother gaming experience and expanding the range of applicable scenarios.