NVIDIA Begins Transition to Boot42 Drivers for Next-Gen GPUs

NVIDIA is progressing with its open-source Nova kernel graphics driver by transitioning from the long-used Boot0 register to the newer Boot42 for next-generation GPUs, specifically those based on the Rubin architecture targeting server-grade chips. This shift, documented in recent patches by NVIDIA engineer John Hubbard, simplifies GPU architecture detection and aims to streamline future driver support. The move also reflects NVIDIA's commitment to open-source Linux driver development, addressing prior criticisms about upstream involvement. Concurrently, NVIDIA faces significant market challenges, as CEO Jensen Huang revealed the company's high-end chip market share in China has plummeted from 95% to zero due to U.S. policy restrictions, prompting China to pursue independent innovation in AI chips. Additionally, NVIDIA has urged PC gamers to update to the latest drivers to resolve GPU crashes in popular games like Borderlands 4 and to enable new features such as DLSS 4 support for upcoming titles, underscoring the company's focus on both hardware advancement and software optimization.