# RADV enables VK_EXT_host_image_copy by default for RDNA1 GPUs in Mesa 27.0

> **Key takeaway:** The RADV Vulkan driver will enable host image copy by default for RDNA1 (GFX10) GPUs in Mesa 27.0, and adds experimental support for older GFX9 GPUs via environment variable.

**Published:** 2026-10-19T09:48:43+00:00 
**Source:** Phoronix Benchmarks & Drivers 
**Category:** kernel-os 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/radv-enables-vkexthostimagecopy-by-default-for-rdna1-gpus-in.html 

## Summary
RADV, the open-source Radeon Vulkan driver in Mesa, is expanding VK_EXT_host_image_copy support. The extension, which allows direct copying between host memory and Vulkan images to reduce overhead, will now be enabled by default for RDNA1 (GFX10/Navi 1x) GPUs starting with Mesa 27.0. Previously this was only default for RDNA2 (GFX10.3) and newer. Additionally, experimental support is now available for GFX9 (pre-RDNA) GPUs through an environment variable. Wei Zhao authored the Mesa merge request, which also addressed Navi 1x regressions that had occurred since the experimental support was first introduced in July 2025.

## What VK_EXT_host_image_copy changes for RADV users
- **VK_EXT_host_image_copy** allows direct host memory to Vulkan image copies without staging buffers, reducing CPU overhead and memory bandwidth usage
- Default enablement now covers **GFX10/RDNA1** (Navi 10/12/14/14L) in addition to existing GFX10.3/RDNA2+ support
- **GFX9** (Vega, Polaris, etc.) gains experimental support via `RADV_EXPERIMENTAL_VK_EXT_host_image_copy` environment variable
- Previous **Navi 1x regressions** from the July 2025 experimental implementation have been resolved
- Change lands in **Mesa 27.0**; no user action required for RDNA1 systems

## Why it matters
The default enablement for RDNA1 brings performance benefits to a wider installed base of AMD GPUs, particularly integrated GPUs where reduced memory copy overhead matters most. The GFX9 experimental support extends testing coverage to older hardware still in use on Linux systems.