Linux creator, Linus Torvalds, continues to utilize an AMD RX 580 graphics card from 2017, and also opts for an Intel-powered laptop instead of Apple Silicon.
Linus Torvalds Sticks with 2017 AMD Radeon RX 580 for Practicality and Reliability
In a world where GPUs evolve rapidly, Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, continues to use the 2017-era AMD Radeon RX 580 as his main desktop GPU in 2025. This decision is not based on the latest technology or raw power, but on practicality, reliability, and stability.
The RX 580, based on AMD’s Polaris architecture, remains well-supported by Linux drivers and performs adequately, even driving Torvalds’ modern 5K ASUS ProArt monitor by using AMD’s Display Stream Compression (DSC) technology. Torvalds himself described it as the “same old boring Radeon RX 580,” underscoring his preference for hardware that “just works” reliably rather than the newest model.
Torvalds' choice is influenced by several key factors. The RX 580 has excellent, stable open-source Linux driver support, reducing software issues and development distractions. Torvalds prioritizes stability over novelty and upgrades only when necessary, reflecting a broader Linux community ethos of using reliable, well-supported hardware.
The RX 580 still performs well enough for Torvalds’ use cases, including driving high-resolution modern displays using DSC. While not the fastest lineup today, its performance is more than sufficient for Torvalds’ personal workloads.
Moreover, the RX 580 was affordable even during its market peak, and Torvalds obtained one at a lower price, indicating sensible purchasing rather than high-end excess. Torvalds’ example has even influenced Linux users skeptical about the need for frequent GPU upgrades, showing that a mature, supported card can remain practical for years.
Torvalds' desktop remains AMD-powered, with a shift from Intel to AMD’s Threadripper several years ago to speed up Linux kernel builds. In travel and testing, Torvalds is using an Intel laptop with Intel’s integrated "i915" graphics. However, the specific model of the ARM chip from Ampere that Linus Torvalds is using is not revealed.
Torvalds' relationship with AMD has been positive, with the company's consistent upstream contributions and open driver stack keeping it in Torvalds' good graces for years. In contrast, Torvalds famously gave Nvidia a middle finger in a 2012 Q&A session, calling it "the single worst company we’ve ever dealt with."
Recently, a bug report around AMD’s Display Stream Compression (DSC) in Linux 6.17 revealed Torvalds' continued use of the RX 580. Torvalds personally bisected the regression related to DSC and reverted a patch to maintain kernel progress. He wrote an email to the Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKML), revert the patch for now to allow development to continue uninterrupted.
In a world where technology advances at a breakneck pace, Linus Torvalds' decision to stick with the Radeon RX 580 serves as a reminder that practicality, reliability, and long-term support often trump the pursuit of the latest and greatest hardware.
[1] https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=torvalds-rx580-2025&num=1 [2] https://www.techradar.com/news/linus-torvalds-still-uses-a-rx-580-and-heres-why [3] https://www.tomshardware.com/news/linus-torvalds-still-uses-rx-580-for-his-main-gpu,43356.html
- The RX 580's impressive open-source Linux driver support and its ability to work seamlessly with artificial-intelligence-powered applications, such as machine learning frameworks, make it an ideal gadget for Linus Torvalds, despite being an older model.
- Although the technology landscape is forever evolving, Linus Torvalds' preference for the Radeon RX 580 highlights the importance of technology that incorporates artificial-intelligence capabilities, while also being robust, practical, and well-supported, rather than merely relying on the cutting edge.
