AMD_Navi

Enabling AMD Navi GPUs in macOS

• Option 1: using NootRX.kext
• Option 2: Using SSDT-NAVI.aml
  • Code
  • Enabling RX 6900XT Cards
• AMD and DRM
• Credits & Resources

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Option 1: using NootRX.kext

There's a new kext out called NootRX to enable unsupported AMD Navi GPUs (Navi 21, 22 and 23) in macOS 11 and newer (check the compatibility list to find out if your GPU is supprted).

Instructions:

1. Download and unzip it
2. Mount your EFI
3. Create a backup of your current EFI folder and store it on a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive (just in case something goes wrong, so you can boot from it)
4. AddNootRX.kext to your EFI/OC/Kexts folder and config.plist
5. Disable Whatevergreen and/or NootedRed kexts (if present)
6. If you use an SSDT to get your GPU working, disable it
7. Save your config an reboot

Enjoy!

Important

Curently NootRX cannot be used in recovery or during upgrades due to a misdetection causing a stall at the last stage. For now, have it enabled only after installing/updating macOS.

Option 2: Using SSDT-NAVI.aml

This SSDT enables (Big) Navi Cards (RX 5000/6000 series) in macOS. It renames PEGP to EGP0 so the GPU is recognized and adds an HDMI audio device (HDAU).

1. Add SSDT-NAVI.aml
2. Add the following Kexts to EFI/OC/Kexts and config.plist:
   • Lilu.kext
   • Whatevergreen.kext
3. Add Boot-arg agdpmod=pikera to config.plist → Fixes black screen issues on some Navi GPUs.

Code

External (_SB_.PCI0, DeviceObj)
External (_SB_.PCI0.PEG0, DeviceObj)
External (_SB_.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP, DeviceObj)

Scope (\_SB)
{
    Scope (PCI0)
    {
        Scope (PEG0)
        {
            Scope (PEGP)
            {
                Method (_STA, 0, NotSerialized)  // _STA: Status
                {
                    If (_OSI ("Darwin"))
                    {
                        Return (Zero)
                    }
                    Else
                    {
                        Return (0x0F)
                    }
                }
            }

            Device (EGP0)
            {
                Name (_ADR, Zero)  // _ADR: Address
                Method (_STA, 0, NotSerialized)  // _STA: Status
                {
                    If (_OSI ("Darwin"))
                    {
                        Return (0x0F)
                    }
                    Else
                    {
                        Return (Zero)
                    }
                }

                Device (EGP1)
                {
                    Name (_ADR, Zero)  // _ADR: Address
                    Device (GFX0)
                    {
                        Name (_ADR, Zero)  // _ADR: Address
                        Name (_SUN, One)  // _SUN: Slot User Number
                        Method (_DSM, 4, NotSerialized)  // _DSM: Device-Specific Method
                        {
                            If ((Arg2 == Zero))
                            {
                                Return (Buffer (One)
                                {
                                     0x03                                             // .
                                })
                            }

                            Return (Package (0x02)
                            {
                                "hda-gfx", 
                                Buffer (0x0A)
                                {
                                    "onboard-2"
                                }
                            })
                        }
                    }

                    Device (HDAU)
                    {
                        Name (_ADR, One)  // _ADR: Address
                        Method (_DSM, 4, NotSerialized)  // _DSM: Device-Specific Method
                        {
                            If ((Arg2 == Zero))
                            {
                                Return (Buffer (One)
                                {
                                     0x03                                             // .
                                })
                            }

                            Return (Package (0x0A)
                            {
                                "AAPL,slot-name", 
                                "Built In", 
                                "device_type", 
                                Buffer (0x13)
                                {
                                    "Controller HDMI/DP"
                                }, 

                                "name", 
                                "High Definition Multimedia Interface", 
                                "model", 
                                Buffer (0x25)
                                {
                                    "High Definition Multimedia Interface"
                                }, 

                                "hda-gfx", 
                                Buffer (0x0A)
                                {
                                    "onboard-2"
                                }
                            })
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Enabling RX 6900XT Cards

• Cards RX 6900XT from XTXH (device-id: 0x73AF) is supported with WhateverGreen and spoofing the device-id: use 0x73BF
• If your RX 6900XT is unsupported, you can follow this guide to enable it in macOS.

AMD and DRM

When using SMBIOS MacPro7,1 or iMacPro1,1, you don't need WhateverGreen and the agdpmod=pikera boot-arg.

This also redirects Quick-Sync Video and Background rendering to the GPU which would otherwise be handled by the iGPU. This can also help to resolves issues with DRM on macOS 11+ as explained in WhateverGreen's FAQ. For more in-depth explanations about the unfairgva boot-arg and how to use it, check this post.

Credits & Resources

• Acidanthera for Lilu.kext and WhateverGreen.kext
• Baio1977 for SSDT-NAVI.aml
• rafale77 for unfairgva explanations
• Video Bitrate Test Files by Jellyfish
• XFX RX 6600 XT in macOS Monterey
• AMD Boot Flags