GZ302-Linux-Setup

GZ302 Component Obsolescence Analysis (December 2025)

Executive Summary

This document analyzes the obsolescence status of GZ302-Linux-Setup components as of December 2025, based on upstream Linux kernel support evolution (6.14-6.18). The repository has transitioned from a hardware enablement tool (fixing broken hardware) to a performance optimization toolkit (tuning working hardware).

Last Updated: December 8, 2025
Analysis Period: Early 2025 (Kernel 6.14) → Late 2025 (Kernel 6.18)
Target Hardware: ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (GZ302EA-XS99/XS64/XS32)

Kernel Evolution Timeline

Linux 6.14 (Early 2025)

Status: Initial Strix Halo support
Issues: Graphics corruption, WiFi jitter, missing tablet mode
Repository Role: MANDATORY - Device unusable without workarounds

Linux 6.15-6.16 (Mid 2025)

Status: Stability improvements
Features: Graphics fixes (Mesa 25.2), SmartMux support
Repository Role: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - WiFi and input fixes still needed

Linux 6.17 (September 2025)

Status: Production-ready GZ302 support
Features: asus-wmi tablet mode, MT7925 performance fixes, native sensor support
Repository Role: CONTEXTUAL - Hardware works, optimization valuable

Linux 6.18 (Late 2025)

Status: Enhanced hardware monitoring
Features: asus-ec-sensors support, improved thermal management
Repository Role: OPTIMIZATION ONLY - Focus on performance tuning

Component-by-Component Analysis

1. WiFi (MediaTek MT7925)

Repository Implementation (gz302-minimal.sh)

# Applies modprobe configuration
options mt7925e disable_aspm=1

Upstream Status

| Kernel | Status | Native Support | Action Required | |——–|——–|—————-|—————–| | 6.14-6.15 | Jitter issues | ❌ No | Apply workaround | | 6.16 | Improved | ⚠️ Partial | Apply workaround | | 6.17+ | Production | ✅ Yes | Remove workaround |

Analysis:

Kernels < 6.17: WiFi driver has packet loss and high jitter due to aggressive ASPM
Kernels >= 6.17: Native L1/L0 PCIe state transitions fixed, ASPM works correctly
Impact: Applying workaround on 6.17+ downgrades driver and harms battery life

Verdict: OBSOLETE for Kernel 6.17+

HARMFUL if applied unnecessarily

Recommendation:

Conditional application based on kernel version detection
Ensure latest linux-firmware package installed (September 2025+)

2. Input & Tablet Mode (ASUS WMI)

Repository Implementation

gz302-tablet.sh - Userspace daemon polling sensors
options hid_asus enable_touchpad=1 - Force touchpad detection
Manual screen rotation via xrandr/wlr-randr

Upstream Status

| Kernel | Status | Native Support | Action Required | |——–|——–|—————-|—————–| | 6.14-6.16 | No ACPI events | ❌ No | Use daemon | | 6.17+ | SW_TABLET_MODE | ✅ Yes | Remove daemon |

Analysis:

Kernels < 6.17: No kernel broadcast of tablet mode events
Kernels >= 6.17: Commit “platform/x86: asus-wmi: Fix ROG button mapping, tablet mode on ASUS ROG Z13” merged
Mechanism: Kernel emits SW_TABLET_MODE input event, desktop environments respond automatically
Conflict: Userspace daemon + kernel events cause screen rotation “fighting”

Verdict: OBSOLETE for Kernel 6.17+

Creates conflicts if used

Integration:

GNOME 49+ and KDE Plasma 6 natively support SW_TABLET_MODE
iio-sensor-proxy reads accelerometer orientation correctly
No manual intervention needed

3. Audio (Cirrus Logic CS35L41)

Repository Implementation

ACPI DSDT patching for GPIO mappings
Firmware quirk injection for subsystem ID 1043:1fb3

Upstream Status

| Kernel | Status | Native Support | Action Required | |——–|——–|—————-|—————–| | 6.14-6.18 | Missing quirk | ❌ No | Apply patch | | Future | Pending upstream | ⚠️ TBD | Monitor kernel commits |

Analysis:

All Current Kernels: GZ302 subsystem ID (1043:1fb3) missing from upstream quirk list
Symptom: “Failed to sync masks” errors, no audio output
Upstream Status: Generic CS35L41 support exists, but device-specific quirks not merged
Distribution Impact: Affects Fedora 43, Ubuntu 25.10, standard Arch kernels

Verdict: VALID (REQUIRED)

Still necessary as of December 2025

Note: CachyOS with linux-g14 patchset may include this quirk already

4. Graphics & AI (Strix Halo Memory Management)

Repository Implementation

# GRUB kernel parameters
amdgpu.gttsize=131072  # 128MB Graphics Translation Table
amd_iommu=off          # Disable IOMMU for lower latency

Upstream Status

Analysis:

General Computing (Desktop/Gaming):

Stability: Kernel 6.16+ handles memory management without crashes
SmartMux: Native power gating eliminates need for manual tweaks
Verdict: OBSOLETE for general users

AI/LLM Workloads:

Default Limitation: Conservative GTT aperture size limits memory addressability
Large Model Loading: 40GB+ models cause allocation failures with default settings
Performance: Increased GTT size improves throughput for unified memory architecture
Verdict: VALID (RECOMMENDED) for AI users

Recommendation:

Default installation: Skip GTT resize
LLM/AI module installation: Apply GTT optimization
Document as performance tuning, not stability fix

5. Power Management & RGB

Repository Implementation

pwrcfg - TDP profile switching (10W-90W)
rrcfg - Refresh rate control (30Hz-180Hz)
gz302-rgb - Keyboard backlight control
System tray integration

Upstream Status

These are userspace optimization tools, not hardware fixes

Analysis:

Functionality: Wrappers around asusctl, power-profiles-daemon
Value Proposition: Convenient power profile management specific to GZ302 thermal envelope
Dependency: Requires asusctl which is distribution-packaged
Category: User convenience, not hardware enablement

Verdict: VALID (VALUABLE)

Core toolkit functionality

Positioning: These tools represent the future direction of the repository:

Not fixing broken hardware
Optimizing working hardware
Providing GZ302-specific convenience

Distribution-Specific Guidance

Fedora 43 (Kernel 6.17+)

Obsolete Components:

✅ WiFi workarounds (native support)
✅ Tablet mode daemon (native support)
✅ Input forcing (native support)

Required Components:

⚠️ Audio quirks (still needed)
✅ Power management tools (valuable)
✅ AI optimizations (if using LLMs)

Recommendation: Minimal hardware fixes + toolkit utilities

Ubuntu 25.10 (Kernel 6.17)

Similar to Fedora 43

Additional Consideration:

linux-firmware package may lag behind
Verify firmware version: modinfo mt7925e | grep firmware
Update if < September 2025 date

Secure Boot: Custom modules require manual signing/MOK enrollment

Arch Linux / CachyOS (Kernel 6.18+)

Obsolete Components:

✅ All hardware fixes (rolling release has latest)

CachyOS Specific:

linux-g14 or linux-cachyos kernels likely include audio quirks
Test audio before applying DSDT patch
ROCm packages optimized for Zen 4/5

Recommendation: Toolkit utilities only (pwrcfg, rrcfg, RGB)

OpenSUSE Tumbleweed (Kernel 6.18+)

Status: Similar to Arch (rolling release)

Package Availability:

asusctl may require OBS repository
switcheroo-control usually in default repos

Transition Strategy for Existing Users

If You Installed Before September 2025 (Kernel < 6.17)

Your system has obsolete workarounds that may harm performance/battery:

Check your kernel: uname -r

If >= 6.17, remove obsolete components:

# Remove WiFi ASPM workaround
sudo rm -f /etc/modprobe.d/mt7925.conf
   
# Disable tablet mode daemon (if installed)
sudo systemctl disable --now gz302-tablet.service
   
# Remove input forcing
sudo sed -i '/enable_touchpad=1/d' /etc/modprobe.d/hid-asus.conf
   
# Reload modules
sudo modprobe -r mt7925e && sudo modprobe mt7925e
sudo modprobe -r hid_asus && sudo modprobe hid_asus

Keep valid components:
- Audio quirks (still needed)
- pwrcfg and rrcfg tools
- RGB control
- AI optimizations (if used)
Reboot to apply changes

Fresh Installation (December 2025+)

Use kernel-aware installation:

The updated gz302-minimal.sh and gz302-main.sh scripts now detect your kernel version and apply only necessary fixes.

What happens automatically:

Kernel < 6.17: Full hardware workarounds applied
Kernel >= 6.17: Only audio quirks + optimizations
User choice: Toolkit utilities (pwrcfg, rrcfg, RGB)

Future Repository Direction

The “GZ302 Toolkit” Philosophy

OLD (Early 2025):

“Make Linux work on GZ302”
Focus: Hardware enablement
Necessity: High (device unusable without)

NEW (Late 2025):

“Optimize GZ302 for Linux”
Focus: Performance tuning, convenience
Necessity: Low (device works, toolkit enhances)

Remaining Value Propositions

Audio Quirks: Until upstream merges GZ302 CS35L41 quirk
Power Management: GZ302-specific TDP profiles (10W-90W range)
AI/LLM Optimization: Strix Halo memory tuning for large models
RGB Control: Keyboard backlight convenience
Distribution Parity: Equal support across Arch/Debian/Fedora/OpenSUSE

Obsolescence as Success

The obsolescence of hardware fixes represents the success of the Linux community:

Kernel developers integrated GZ302 support upstream
Distribution maintainers ship modern kernels
The repository evolved from necessity to convenience

Technical Details: Kernel Commits

Key Upstream Commits (Kernel 6.17)

asus-wmi Tablet Mode:

commit: [TBD - platform/x86: asus-wmi branch]
Author: Linux kernel developers
Date: September 2025
Title: platform/x86: asus-wmi: Fix ROG button mapping, tablet mode on ASUS ROG Z13

Changes:
- Updated ACPI event mapping for GZ302 sensor hub
- Enabled SW_TABLET_MODE broadcast
- Fixed keyboard detachment detection

mt7925e WiFi Performance:

commit: [TBD - wireless-next branch]
Author: MediaTek engineers
Date: August-September 2025
Title: wifi: mt7925: Fix ASPM L1/L0 state transitions

Changes:
- Corrected PCIe power state handling
- Eliminated jitter in active transfers
- Enabled battery-friendly power saving

Distribution Kernel Adoption Timeline

Distribution	Kernel Version	Release Date	GZ302 Status
Arch Linux	6.17.4	Oct 19, 2025	✅ Full support
Fedora 43	6.17.x	Dec 2025	✅ Full support
Ubuntu 25.10	6.17.0	Oct 10, 2025	✅ Full support
OpenSUSE TW	6.18.x	Nov 2025	✅ Full support

Validation & Testing

How to Verify Your System Needs

Test 1: WiFi Performance (Check if workaround needed)

# Check current configuration
cat /etc/modprobe.d/mt7925.conf 2>/dev/null

# Test WiFi stability (run for 5 minutes)
ping -c 300 -i 1 8.8.8.8 | awk '{ print $7 }' | grep time=
# Look for consistent <50ms times (good)
# High variance or >100ms indicates problems

Test 2: Tablet Mode (Check if kernel handles it)

# Monitor input events
evtest | grep -i tablet
# Expected on 6.17+: SW_TABLET_MODE events when detaching keyboard
# If no events, kernel support missing

Test 3: Audio (Check if quirk needed)

# Test speaker output
speaker-test -t wav -c 2
# If no sound + dmesg shows "Failed to sync masks", quirk needed

Glossary

ASPM: Active State Power Management - PCIe link power saving
GTT: Graphics Translation Table - GPU memory address mapping
SW_TABLET_MODE: Kernel input event for 2-in-1 convertible state
CS35L41: Cirrus Logic audio amplifier chip
DSDT: Differentiated System Description Table (ACPI firmware table)
asus-wmi: ASUS Windows Management Instrumentation driver (Linux)
Strix Halo: AMD codename for Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU architecture

References

Kernel Git: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git
Linux Firmware: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git
ASUS Linux Community: https://asus-linux.org
Phoronix Kernel Coverage: https://phoronix.com (Kernel 6.17 announcement)
Repository Research: Info/KERNEL_RESEARCH_SUMMARY_2025.md

Document Maintenance: This document should be updated when:

New kernel versions change GZ302 support status
Upstream merges audio quirks (CS35L41)
Distribution kernel versions significantly change
New hardware workarounds are discovered/deprecated

Version: 3.0.0 (December 8, 2025)