# Linux 7.3 brings VRAM spillover for gaming, Apple M3 boot support

> **Key takeaway:** Linux kernel 7.3 introduces memory management changes that let games run on GPUs with less VRAM than they request, alongside Apple M3 chip boot support and multiple AMD driver updates.

**Published:** 2026-10-19T02:56:37+00:00 
**Source:** It's FOSS Community News 
**Category:** distro-news 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/linux-73-brings-vram-spillover-for-gaming-apple-m3-boot-supp.html 

## Summary
Linux 7.3 released approximately two months after 7.2 with performance-focused changes across filesystems, scheduler, and real-time latency. Valve engineer Natalie Vock contributed kernel-side VRAM management that moves less critical data to system RAM when video memory fills up; the full patch set already runs in SteamOS and allowed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to run on an 8GB card requesting 9GB. Apple M3 Pro, Max, and Ultra chips gain initial Linux boot support. AMD contributions include HSMP protocol v7 for upcoming Zen 6 processors, per-core Dynamic EPP in amd-pstate, and a new amd_halo_led driver for Ryzen AI Halo mini PCs.

## Key driver and memory changes in Linux 7.3
- **VRAM spillover**: Natalie Vock's kernel work enables eviction of less important GPU data to system RAM when VRAM is full; full patch set already ships in SteamOS, remainder heading upstream
- **Radeon GPU hang recovery**: Timur Kristóf (Valve) reworked reset to target only the GFX block, leaving VRAM intact on older Radeon cards
- **AMD Zen 6 prep**: HSMP driver adds protocol v7 for Family 1Ah Model 80H processors; PMF driver adds same family support plus new ioctl for device metrics
- **Per-core Dynamic EPP**: amd-pstate now allows "dynamic" Energy Performance Preference setting per CPU core under powersave governor, not just system-wide
- **Memory management fixes**: KSM lock hold reduced from 705ms to under 2ms in worst case (ZTE); zsmalloc throughput up 1.83x on Raspberry Pi 4B, 1.4x on 20-core Intel (Xiaomi)
- **RISC-V**: eleven new ISA extensions, UEFI runtime services for restart/power-off
- **Apple Silicon**: initial M3 Pro/Max/Ultra boot support
- **Intel Starfire**: first Linux changes for space-grade Panther Lake derivative

## Why it matters
The VRAM management work from Valve addresses a practical constraint for Linux gaming on mid-range hardware, with SteamOS already shipping the complete patch set. Apple M3 boot support expands viable hardware for Linux users, though it remains initial and likely limited.