Intel Posts Patches Bringing Up DG2/Alchemist Discrete Video Memory For Linux

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Intel Posts Patches Bringing Up DG2/Alchemist Discrete Video Memory For Linux

Since the start of July we've seen Intel beginning Linux support patches for their DG2 graphics card that is now known by the "Alchemist" codename. There's been several rounds of DG2 patches since they started publicly pushing out the code -- including some notable work like DisplayPort 2.0 bring-up -- while sent out this Sunday is another important piece of the puzzle: getting the device memory (the dedicated vRAM) actually working with the open-source driver...

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Intel-DG2-Device-Memory

[dylanmtaylor]

Not surprised that Intel is going to have open-source drivers for these new cards from day one, but I'm happy about it. They've always been good about this, long before AMD ever had an open source driver.

[Linuxxx]

Not surprised that Intel is going to have open-source drivers for these new cards from day one, but I'm happy about it. They've always been good about this, long before AMD ever had an open source driver.

Yeah, now let's just hope that Linux 5.16 is still released this year and therefore becomes next year's LTS release, which also means it's the kernel which is going to be shipped with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Else either Canonical will have to backport the patches to their kernel themselves (AFAIR they already did this in the past before) or most users will be stuck waiting until January 2023, when Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS should ship with the 22.10 Hardware-Enablement Stack.

[scottishduck]

Something funny about Intel having the opportunity to release into a market where people would buy these cards, even if they were terrible and now are seemingly going to miss that window.

[dylanmtaylor]

Yeah, now let's just hope that Linux 5.16 is still released this year and therefore becomes next year's LTS release, which also means it's the kernel which is going to be shipped with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Else either Canonical will have to backport the patches to their kernel themselves (AFAIR they already did this in the past before) or most users will be stuck waiting until January 2023, when Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS should ship with the 22.10 Hardware-Enablement Stack.

You could also use a different distro or a custom kernel to get these features.

[DanL]

"Alchemist" sounds like it's aimed at the cryptocurrency crowd.

[skeevy420]

"Alchemist" sounds like it's aimed at the cryptocurrency crowd.

I dunno. Based on all their names I'd guess at a mix of RPG players, anime fans, and Pegans.

• Alchemist
• Battlemage
• Celestial
• Druid

[agd5f]

Not surprised that Intel is going to have open-source drivers for these new cards from day one, but I'm happy about it. They've always been good about this, long before AMD ever had an open source driver.

AMD has supported open source graphics drivers arguably for longer than Intel has.

[Jabberwocky]

"Alchemist" sounds like it's aimed at the cryptocurrency crowd.

Intel Arc GPU codenames A, B, and D are inspired from Dungeons and Dragons names. C is a odd one as Steve from GamersNexus says: https://youtu.be/F3kE-3ZLA0Q?t=182

Funny that these cards will be made at TSMC. Those people signing the contract must have been laughing all the way to the bank.

[Linuxxx]

AMD has supported open source graphics drivers arguably for longer than Intel has.

How so?
AFAIK, Intel was already investing into MesaGL long before AMD even had a graphics division, back when ATi was still an independent company with arguably the most horrendous GPU drivers known to mankind.

BTW, same friendly reminder to You, too:
Please make sure that all the necessary software bits for the entirety of AMD's 2022 product line-up make it in usable form into Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
And if that means backporting patches, then at least make sure to inform Canonical in advance, please.