Linus Torvalds has released Linux kernel 6.19, introducing significant enhancements for users, especially those with legacy AMD Radeon GPUs. The update switches the older graphics cards to the amdgpu driver, improving their performance and enabling native Vulkan support. With this change, graphics cards like the AMD Radeon R9 290 and HD 7000 series can now enjoy a performance boost of up to 40% in certain workloads, making older hardware more viable for modern gaming.
Another major upgrade in this release is the support for larger block sizes in the ext4 filesystem, which enhances storage performance significantly. This change allows users to save and extract archives more efficiently and can improve write operations by up to 50%.
Improved Performance for Older AMD GPUs: The transition to the amdgpu driver for older AMD graphics cards brings native RADV Vulkan support, enhancing gaming experiences significantly.
Hardware-Accelerated HDR Support: The introduction of the DRM Color Pipeline API allows HDR content to be supported more efficiently, potentially improving battery life on laptops and portable devices.
ext4 Filesystem Performance Improvements: Larger block sizes reduce the overhead during large data transfers, and smarter caching of folder permissions can lead to performance gains when opening folders with numerous files.
Support for ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck: The kernel now includes support for hardware controls on the ASUS ROG Ally, allowing users to manage VRAM allocation and power profiles seamlessly. The Steam Deck benefits from improved temperature monitoring capabilities.
Expanded Hardware Support: Additional laptop and motherboard drivers enhance compatibility with various hardware configurations, improving overall system functionality.
Enhancements in Networking and Kernel Management: Various improvements in the networking stack and kernel update management make system operations more efficient, especially in cloud environments.
To experience these new features, Ubuntu users will need to install Linux kernel 6.19 through unofficial methods, as it will not be automatically delivered via updates. The next official Ubuntu release, 26.04 LTS, expected in April 2026, will ship with Linux 7.0, incorporating these enhancements and further improvements.
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