General Discussions

[RxRad_Fan]

Hi guys, I'm new here!

Hope you're all keeping safe during these times.

I've been meaning to post this for awhile but didn't know how to work it well, however I'm very aware that many softwares we use make use of OpenCL, particularly those with implemented SPIR 1.2.

Driver 18.6.1 was the last version to include SPIR 1.2.

Since updating to anything newer than this, I have encountered numerous problems, a program I use refuses to do any operations. I have contacted the developers and read through their forums and it was because of your decision to remove SPIR 1.2. and in replace it with SPIR-V. 

Although I'm sure it's superior, the software is LOCKED to anything before this version and it's completely frustrating. Many businesses also were put to a standstill because of this. Yes whilst we may enjoy improved performance of your cards for gaming, we LOOSE all the benefits that kept us/them running.

It's pointless.

No words can describe the annoyance and difficulty this has put us through.

As I stated, we've already reached out to the devs, and in conclusion it comes back down to yo, unfortunately.

Why replace something with no chance of compatibility?

I can't live with driver version 18.6.1. for my dual RX580s

Is there any way to resolve this or to bring back this compatibility by any chance?

[elstaci]

First SPIR 1.2 is considered to be obsolete and according to the people who seems to be the developer of SPIR, the same one who developed Vulkan API - The Khronos Group, SPIR-V is far superior than SPIR 1.2.

Here is the link that shows all the advantages to SPIR-V via Khronos Group website: https://www.khronos.org/spir/

SPIR 1.2 came out 7 years ago according to Wikipedia from the Khronos Group:

LLVM-based versions

On July 22, 2013, a provisional specification SPIR 1.2 was announced at SIGGRAPH 2013. The final SPIR 1.2 specification was released at HiPEAC 2014 on January 21, 2014. On August 11th, 2014, a provisional specification for SPIR 2.0 was released at SIGGRAPH 2014.

Stable release: SPIR-V 1.5 / September 13, 20...

Initial release: January 2014

Developer(s): Khronos Group

It isn't logical for Developers to use a 7 year old obsolete programming when there are superior versions that are faster and more secure.

It is like asking Developers to continue to create software for Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 obsolete Operating Systems. There just isn't demand for it.

[RxRad_Fan]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes I stated it is superior but it is NOT compatible with any software that was based around it's predecessor's coding!

It's removal has caused problems for software and programs functioning since it was based on SPIR 1.2. 

It has also caused me to progress with any kind of work because of this!

[elstaci]

Unfortunately, you need to upgrade whatever program you are using that will be compatible with SPIR-V.

Many Users have unsupported GPU Cards that supports up to OpenCL 1.2 as an example. The GPU cards are so old that the newer Drivers that support OpenCL 2.0 and above are not compatible anymore with those obsolete GPU Cards.

Thus those Users are stuck with the last Driver that supports OpenCl 1.2 until they upgrade the GPU cards to one that supports Opencl 2.0 or higher.

As an example only:

Those Users can't use certain Professional Rendering software that requires OpenCL 2.0 or higher to work. They are forced to use an old previous version of the Professional Rendering software that still support OpenCl 1.2.

NOTE: I understand your frustration that you are stuck with an old driver and not able to update to the latest because your hardware is incompatible with the latest drivers.

But unfortunately that is one disadvantage when progress advances to better and superior hardware/software.  

[RxRad_Fan]

So, am I going to be left with software that I'm unable to use because AMD has removed a crucial function from their driver???

[elstaci]

wasn't removed but updated.