SoftwareOperating SystemsLinuxValve continues to improve the gaming performance of Linux open source drivers for AMD GPUs, as part of the Mesa projectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

SoftwareOperating SystemsLinuxValve continues to improve the gaming performance of Linux open source drivers for AMD GPUs, as part of the Mesa projectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

Valve Steam Deck OLED handheld PC

Naturally, what’s been done is all very complicated, but it comes down to this: Drivers for graphics cards contain a program called a compiler that converts shader programs that a game or application has issued into a binary format that the GPU can then run.

AMD’s Linux driver for its Radeon graphics chip has its own compiler (known as LLVM) but RADV uses one that Valve created, called ACO (literally Amd COmpiler).

Why would Valve be involved in all of this? It’s all down to theSteam Deck, as the software that runs it (SteamOS) is Linux-based and uses the RADV driver for the integrated GPU inside the AMD custom processor that powers the handheld PC. Valve’s contributions to the Mesa project don’t just benefit itself, as anyone can download the driver and use it on their own PC.

More on the Steam Deck(Image credit: Future)Steam Deck OLED review: Our verdict on Valve’s handheld.Best Steam Deck accessories: Get decked out.Steam Deck battery life: What’s the real battery life?Best handheld gaming PC: What’s the best travel buddy?

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(Image credit: Future)

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Given that all this work is entirely open-source, AMD’s graphics developers will be able to view the changes and possibly implement some of them into their compiler. Or perhaps not, as the consensus is that ACO is better than LLVM, though it is specifically designed to work in RADV and not directly with AMD’s own Linux drivers.

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Shader compilers in GPU drivers are put under a lot of stress in today’s uber-graphics games so any improvements, no matter how small they are, are going to be well received. Making them better is not a trivial thing and Valve deserves plenty of hat-tipping for its work in this area.

If you own a Steam Deck, just make sure you keep the software and drivers as up-to-date as possible, if you want to join the compiler performance party.

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