Linux 7.3 released with I/O improvements, AMD Zen 6 prep, Steam Controller driver
Linux 7.3 kernel shipped on schedule with faster I/O, AMD Zen 6 platform preparations, a new Steam Controller driver, and vRAM management improvements.
Summary
Linux 7.3 is now available from kernel.org as a stable release. The kernel includes performance improvements for I/O on modern hardware, early support groundwork for AMD's upcoming Zen 6 processors, a kernel driver for the Steam Controller, and better video memory management for systems with limited VRAM. The release also contains firmware workarounds for Samsung 990 PRO and 990 EVO Plus SSDs that incorrectly report capabilities on certain firmware versions, plus a fix for rare SMP boot hangs dating back to 2024.
What's in Linux 7.3
- I/O performance: Faster I/O on modern systems
- AMD Zen 6: Platform preparation work for upcoming processors
- Steam Controller: New 2026 kernel driver support
- AMD GPUs: Improvements for older graphics cards plus better vRAM management for memory-constrained systems
- Storage workarounds: Samsung 990 PRO and 990 EVO Plus SSDs with select firmware versions that misreport capabilities
- SMP fix: Rare boot hangs on some systems going back to 2024
- Developer change: Darrick Wong stepped down after 23 years of kernel development involvement
Why it matters
The Steam Controller driver addition extends hardware compatibility for Linux gamers. The AMD Zen 6 groundwork signals continued investment in x86_64 platform support ahead of new silicon. The vRAM improvements may help users with integrated or entry-level discrete graphics.
Original reference: www.phoronix.com →