The ROCm Device Support Wishlist GitHub discussion serves as a central hub for users to request and discuss support for new AMD GPUs and other hardware within the ROCm platform. It encourages users to upvote existing requests or submit new ones with detailed system information, emphasizing driver versions and specific models for clarity and to gauge community interest. The goal is to provide the ROCm developers with a clear picture of user demand, helping them prioritize development efforts for broader hardware compatibility.
The GitHub Discussion post titled "ROCm Device Support Wishlist" serves as a centralized location for the ROCm community to express their desires for expanded GPU hardware support within the ROCm software ecosystem. The post's author recognizes the frequent inquiries regarding support for specific GPUs, particularly older models and those from other vendors like NVIDIA and Intel. Instead of scattering these requests across various forums and issue trackers, the discussion thread aims to consolidate them into a single, easily accessible list. This organized approach allows the ROCm developers to better gauge community interest and prioritize their efforts accordingly. The author explicitly encourages users to contribute by adding their desired GPUs to the list, emphasizing the importance of including the specific model name for clarity. This collaborative wishlist intends to streamline communication and provide valuable feedback to the ROCm development team, ultimately helping shape the future of ROCm hardware compatibility. While acknowledging that adding support for a particular GPU is a complex undertaking dependent on various factors, the wishlist provides a valuable mechanism for understanding community needs and guiding development decisions. The post itself doesn't guarantee support for any listed GPU, but rather establishes a formal channel for expressing and tracking community demand for broader hardware compatibility.
Summary of Comments ( 75 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42772170
Hacker News users discussed the ROCm device support wishlist, expressing both excitement and skepticism. Some were enthusiastic about the potential for wider AMD GPU adoption, particularly for scientific computing and AI workloads where open-source solutions are preferred. Others questioned the viability of ROCm competing with CUDA, citing concerns about software maturity, performance consistency, and developer mindshare. The need for more robust documentation and easier installation processes was a recurring theme. Several commenters shared personal experiences with ROCm, highlighting successes with specific applications but also acknowledging difficulties in getting it to work reliably across different hardware configurations. Some expressed hope for better support from AMD to broaden adoption and improve the overall ROCm ecosystem.
The Hacker News post "ROCm Device Support Wishlist" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42772170) links to a GitHub discussion where users can express their desire for ROCm support on various devices. The discussion on Hacker News itself is relatively short, with a limited number of comments focusing on a few key areas.
One commenter expresses excitement about the potential for wider ROCm support, specifically mentioning older Radeon HD 7000 series GPUs. They highlight the value these cards could still provide for compute tasks if ROCm were available, potentially extending their useful life and providing a cost-effective option for users. This comment emphasizes the desire for broader hardware support to unlock the potential of older, but still capable, hardware.
Another commenter raises a practical consideration regarding driver support and kernel compatibility. They point out that older GPUs often face challenges with newer kernels, questioning whether these older cards would even function with a contemporary kernel required by ROCm. This introduces the complexity of balancing support for older hardware with the requirements of a modern software stack. It highlights the potential difficulties in bringing ROCm to older architectures, even if there is user demand.
A further comment shifts the focus to the professional compute market, noting the prevalence of NVIDIA in that space. They speculate on the reasons behind AMD's focus and suggest that perhaps AMD is prioritizing the professional market over consumer or prosumer needs with ROCm. This comment brings in the broader context of the GPU market and competitive landscape, suggesting that AMD's strategic decisions might be influencing their support priorities for ROCm.
The remaining comments are brief and less substantive. One simply expresses a desire for broader ROCm support without specifying particular hardware. Another provides a link to a ROCm compatibility chart.
In summary, the Hacker News discussion, while concise, touches on the desire for wider ROCm support, particularly for older hardware, while also acknowledging the technical challenges and strategic considerations that might influence AMD's decisions in this area. The discussion doesn't delve deeply into any particular area but provides a glimpse into user interest and the practicalities of expanding ROCm compatibility.