While this doesn’t mean that RDNA 4 cards will outright refuse to work on older systems, AMD isn’t making any promises, so expect a few gremlins if you try to force the issue.

For years, BIOS has been the catch-all term for motherboard firmware, even as it quietly evolved into UEFI, which brought in shiny new features like a GUI, Secure Boot, and support for storage drives larger than 2.2TB. However, UEFI also included CSM (Compatibility Support Module), a crutch that lets old hardware limp along by emulating a BIOS environment. Now, AMD has decided it’s time to kick that crutch away.

Luckily, unless you’re still clinging to a fossil from the the pre 2008, your CPU and motherboard likely support UEFI fine. The real headache will be for those still using MBR partitions, who must convert their drives to GPT before making the switch.

AMD insists that moving to UEFI is all for the greater good, highlighting its advantages in a new article.

The company warns that running RDNA 4 GPUs in legacy mode could result in missing out on key features like Smart Access Memory and unpredictable crashes. So, if you’re planning on spending $600 on a new GPU, it would be wise to ensure your system is ready for it—unless you enjoy the thrill of unexplained BSODs.

For those still stuck in the dark ages, AMD has outlined a straightforward transition process: confirm your storage device is using GPT, head into your motherboard’s UEFI menu, disable CSM, and embrace the modern era.

This move isn't a shock since most systems made in the last decade are UEFI-compatible. It’s just AMD making it official—and ensuring everyone is dragged kicking and screaming into the 2020s whether they like it or not.