AMD clarifies USB-C, Windows 10, and RDNA 2 support amidst driver update confusion

AMD's Explanatory Brigade: USB-C Lives On, Windows 10 Isn't Forgotten, RDNA 2 Isn't Retired Yet

In a move that sent ripples of confusion through the Radeon RX 7900 graphics card community, AMD's latest driver release, Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2, contained a perplexing note. It stated that the USB-C port on these cards would no longer transmit power or data. For users relying on this functionality, the driver update suggested reverting to the March version. AMD, however, remained conspicuously silent on the 'why' behind this supposed change, leaving many to speculate.

It wasn't long before the truth emerged: the entire USB-C power and data transmission shutdown was, in fact, an error. A simple mistake in the release notes. AMD swiftly confirmed that there had been no functional changes to the USB-C ports on the RX 7900 series graphics cards. The erroneous entry was a mere phantom, accidentally appearing in the release log and promptly corrected. As AMD communicated to TechPowerUP, "We want to inform you that the release notes for AMD Software Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2, published today, contained inaccurate information that has since been corrected. USB-C functionality on the RX 7900 series remains unchanged. The incorrect line has been removed, and the notes have been updated. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Navigating the Fog of RDNA 3 and Evolving OS Support

This USB-C kerfuffle wasn't the only point of contention in the Adrenalin 25.10.2 update. The driver also sparked concern by seemingly dropping Windows 10 from its list of supported operating systems. While AMD later clarified that Windows 10 drivers would continue to be released, the omission was attributed to the official end-of-support for Microsoft's venerable OS, slated for October 14, 2025. This move, while logical from a long-term perspective, initially added to the general sense of unease surrounding the driver.

Compounding the mixed signals was AMD's announcement regarding older graphics card architectures. The company declared that it was transitioning Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 series cards (based on RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 architectures, respectively) into a "maintenance mode." This implies that these cards would primarily receive security updates and bug fixes, with a reduced focus on game-specific optimizations. The official statement explained, "To focus on optimizing and delivering new and enhanced technologies for the latest graphics cards, AMD Software Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 is moving Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 series (RDNA 1 and RDNA 2) to maintenance mode."

A Shifting Stance on RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 Optimizations

However, as is often the case with complex technological announcements, the story didn't end there. AMD, in a subsequent clarification to Tom's Hardware, appeared to walk back its previous statement. The company revealed that RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 based graphics cards would, in fact, continue to receive game optimizations based on "market demand." This update, while somewhat vague, suggests that while newer GPUs remain the priority, older cards won't be entirely left in the dust when it comes to performance enhancements for new titles. This revised stance offers a glimmer of hope, especially for owners of these earlier architectures who feared a complete cessation of performance tuning.

The implications of this are particularly noteworthy for integrated graphics solutions like those found in APUs. Devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, powered by a Ryzen Z2 processor (a rebranded Steam Deck APU), utilize RDNA 2 graphics. If manufacturers like AMD don't continue to provide driver optimizations, such handhelds could face challenges keeping pace with newer games, even if the hardware itself is relatively recent.

Silver Linings: DirectX 12 Work Graphs and Bug Fixes

Despite the initial confusion, the Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 driver update isn't without its positive developments. A significant highlight is the introduction of DirectX 12 Work Graphs support for the upcoming Radeon RX 9000 series. This cutting-edge technology empowers GPUs to manage workloads autonomously, bypassing the CPU. Think of it like a highly efficient air traffic controller for your graphics card, directing tasks with unparalleled speed and precision, a crucial advantage for the demanding, highly parallelized games of the future. Currently, this feature is supported by the Radeon RX 7000 series and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 30 series. This forward-looking integration signals AMD's commitment to pushing the boundaries of graphical processing.

Furthermore, the update addresses a substantial number of bugs and performance issues across a wide array of recent game titles. For owners of newer graphics cards, this driver update is certainly worth installing, promising a smoother and more stable gaming experience.