The days of 32-bit operating systems and applications are numbered, partly due to the limitations of the 32-bit architecture, and graphics peripheral manufacturers (GPUs), regardless of whether NVIDIA or AMD side, both seem to have understood this well.
SunnyVale recently confirmed that it is discontinuing 32-bit driver support for its Radeon GPUs, meaning that anyone still using a computer with a 32-bit operating system will no longer have access to the latest driver updates for their AMD GPU.
In October, AMD released “Radeon Software Adrenalin 18.9.3 WHQL”, a new update of its GPU drivers with 32-bit and 64-bit versions. But this should be the last time this has happened. From now on, no AMD GPU drivers will be released for 32-bit operating systems. Some of the GPUs in the red team, the Radeon RX Vega in this case, already have no current 32-bit drivers on the manufacturer’s website.
It should be noted that NVIDIA has taken similar measures since April last year. AMD’s main competitor in the GPU market said that from April 2018, subsequent driver versions will no longer be compatible with 32-bit operating systems. This action affected the Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, Linux and FreeBSD operating systems, as well as the Group’s GeForce Experience application, which you can use to configure ShadowPlay, optimize games for a configurable performance/quality ratio, or stream from an NVIDIA Shield or Android TV Shield to your PC.
However, the Green Team wanted to assure the public that if bug fixes and new features were no longer deployed on these platforms, security patches would be available until January 2019.
Recently, AMD chief Lisa Su announced that the red team intends to become competitive again in the GPU market, especially in the high-end GPU segment, where NVIDIA has been the undisputed leader since the introduction of its Pascal generation GPUs.
“We will be competitive in high-end graphics. We are designing powerful quality products and creating a solid foundation in the long run,” says Su, adding that Su does not seem to worry about the fierce competition in the semiconductor market.