AMD drops support for non GCN based graphics cards
AMD halts supporting graphics cards (drivers wise) that are not based on their Graphics Core Next-architecture. That means that multiple graphics cards in the Radeon HD 5000, 6000 and a couple of 7000 series now have been tagged with legacy status.
Realistically this means graphics cards based on VLIW-architecture, Radeon series HD 5000 and 6000 with type numbers HD 7600- and HD 8400-or lower will drop from driver support. AMD also halts support for APUs based on VLIW, the GPUs in Llano-, Trinity- and the Richland-series.
The legacy status means there no longer will be anymore new drivers. According to AMD this choice clears up valuable engineering resources for the driver development team for newer GPUs and APUs based on GCN-architecture.
Please be aware that owners of these older cards and APUs still can make use of the bèta AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition-driver released today. However A certified WHQL-driver will not be an option and thus that makes the Catalyst-version 15.7.1 WHQL the final certified driver. AMD launched the GCN-architecture in 2011.
Senior Member
Posts: 1461
Joined: 2011-02-17
I expected this considering AMD's previous support cycles.
No new drivers at all is a bit surprising though, previous Legacy cards got drivers for bug fixes for a year.
Senior Member
Posts: 2664
Joined: 2011-05-17
About time. Good move on their part. Now they can move forward; not that they really gave much attention to the non-gcn cards lately. Now just need to wait for the next crop before upgrading. Guess it is time to start planning to fill the Core X-9 case now.
Senior Member
Posts: 2976
Joined: 2007-04-12
about damn time...
Senior Member
Posts: 1210
Joined: 2014-07-22

Lol...

Not a big deal. Nothing is forever--not your cpu, your gpu your motherboard, your ram your hdd's, etc. Or your 3d cards...It's simply the way things work.
Senior Member
Posts: 6970
Joined: 2010-08-28
They really try hard to go down under do they?