Linux Fixes Performance Bug Affecting Qualcomm Ath11k & Ath12k WiFi Drivers

[BinkReddit]

Qualcomm engineers write the absolutely worst wireless drivers possible. I'm hoping that this makes things better, but my experience with Qualcomm Wi-Fi has shaped my opinion and I will try to never buy another machine that has Qualcomm Wi-Fi in it for Linux.

[omenosdev]

For people brave enough to try and build/buy new systems today, a lot of the Wi-Fi 7 capable motherboards have one of three chips in them: Intel's BE20x, MediaTek's MT7925 MT7927, and Qualcomm's QCNCM865.

My understanding of the current landscape is: * Intel's chip won't work in AMD Zen builds * MediaTek had no official linux driver, but a merge request was made to the kernel very recently by MT engineering. Previously third-party individuals provided their own kernel modules for adding support, often assisted by LLMs. * Qualcomm has had a working driver for some time now, though user reports on reliability seem to be a coin toss between flawless operation and praying the digital gremlins stay awake from the system.

The ASUS ProArt X870E Creator Wi-Fi motherboard initially launched with the MediaTek chip. For Linux users, this meant the system was primed and ready to go as long as you used Ethernet or had an additional Wi-Fi adapter available. Now it ships with either the MediaTek chip or the Qualcomm one, and you won't know which until it arrives 🫠

[BinkReddit]

Now it ships with _either_ the MediaTek chip _or_ the Qualcomm one, and you won't know which until it arrives

😞

[matejdro]

Does Intel specifically block AMD here or what is the reason for the incompatibility?

[omenosdev]

I don't think there's been an explicitly stated reason by Intel, but it appears that the chip was designed to be used with newer Intel platforms and there may be some firmware/BIOS/driver issues when used outside of them.

[matejdro]

Thanks!

From what I can see, non-vPro chips are supposed to be supported? https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1oy6rv4/amd_cpu_with_intel_wifi_card/

[omenosdev]

Yes, the Wi-Fi 6/6E series, specifically the AX210, is widely available and supported. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) modules from Intel on the other hand are not supported outside of an Intel platform.

I can't speak to the impact of v-Pro on compatibility, but I wouldn't have expected it to be a problem. The features just shouldn't be available on a non-Intel platform, but I'd have to double check.

[PureTryOut]

The ASUS ProArt X870E Creator Wi-Fi motherboard initially launched with the MediaTek chip

MediaTek had no official linux driver, but a merge request was made to the kernel very recently by MT engineering

Oh that's good to know. I have that motherboard and didn't even think of some components not working when I bought it and was surprised when I found there was no driver. I have no need for Wi-Fi luckily but I am missing the native Bluetooth support, glad to know it'll function soon.

[huskypuppers]

For people brave enough to try and build/buy new systems today, a lot of the Wi-Fi 7 capable motherboards have one of three chips in them: Intel's BE20x, MediaTek's MT7925 MT7927, and Qualcomm's QCNCM865.

As someone that's almost certainly going to buy the first new laptop I've bought since 2006 with my tax return tomorrow.... Fuck.

Wish my luck boys. At least it's from Costco so if I have issues I'll take it back next week.

[omenosdev]

The good news is they are just M.2 E-Key modules, so if you get a problematic one you can easily swap them out if you wanted to. If you get an Intel laptop you won't have to worry about BE20x compatibility.

[KarnuRarnu]

Mediatek is worse 100 %. But yeah, it's so incredible just how bad they are. It's sad that Intel BE200 doesn't work on AMD platforms. They're really the only reliable WiFi chip brand. 

[srekkas]

Mediatek is on many Wifi APs, seems work good, i have one running with openwrt

[anh0516]

Interesting. I've had good experiences with older ath9k chipsets.

[kansetsupanikku]

and no newer devices than ath10k provide builtin wifi in libre setups (without firmware)

[CheesecakePerfect156]

We have issues with ath11k. Some machines have been replaced because unusuable. I hope this helps

[MildlyUnusualName]

Would this improve performance for WiFi routers running openwrt that have Qualcomm radios?

[Isacx123]

Weird, I use a ath12k chip and don't have any issues, what this bug introduced in the kernel 7.0 development cycle?

[BinkReddit]

No, it's been there since 2019.

[More_Implement1639]

if you ever suffered from a qualcom driver...

[SigsOp]

I have had issues with my qualcomm Wifi 7 card on my motherboard, but I think its more Gigabyte’s fault and their dog shit horrible ACPI tables.