Preparations are underway for the next iteration of NVIDIA’s graphics cards, following the Blackwell series. Recent driver patches indicate a major shift as NVIDIA transitions to Boot42 support for its upcoming GPUs.
NVIDIA’s Transition to Boot42 Confirms Focus on Next-Gen GPUs as Boot0 is Phased Out
NVIDIA traditionally utilized architecture identification via Boot0 registers, a standard practice for Blackwell graphics cards. However, new developments within NVIDIA’s Nova graphics drivers reveal the emergence of a Boot42 identification system, suggesting the company is starting to phase out Boot0. While this signals the forthcoming release of new generation GPUs, it’s essential to note that this may correlate with the Rubin architecture, which is poised to power server-grade GPU models.
According to Phoronix, NVIDIA has been actively submitting open-source Nova Driver patches that indicate this transition. The patch notes, authored by engineer John Hubbard, confirm that upcoming GPUs will no longer utilize the familiar NV_PMC_BOOT_0 register; instead, they will adopt the newer NV_PMC_BOOT_42. This shift aims to simplify the architecture detection process for the Nova series.
“NVIDIA GPUs are moving away from using NV_PMC_BOOT_0 to contain architecture and revision details, and will instead use NV_PMC_BOOT_42 in the future. NV_PMC_BOOT_0 will be zeroed out.”
Change the selection logic in Nova so that it will claim Turing and later GPUs. This will work for the foreseeable future, without any further code changes, because all NVIDIA GPUs are considered, from the oldest supported on Linux (NV04), through the future GPUs.
– Patch release notes
The recent release notes highlight a significant refinement, removing 33 lines of code to promote a cleaner and more future-proof structure. This progress is particularly noteworthy as many Linux enthusiasts have long criticized NVIDIA for its limited engagement with the open-source community. However, with the development of the Rust-based Nova driver, we are witnessing tangible advancements in this area.
These preliminary efforts indicate that NVIDIA’s dedicated Linux team is gearing up for the Rubin series. Reports indicate that NVIDIA has set a timeline for production of the Rubin GPUs, targeting the latter half of 2026. Additionally, there are indications that the Rubin Ultra models may incorporate Microchannel cover plates to enhance cooling efficiency.
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