User:Pietinger/Experimental/Kernel Upgrade from 6.13 to 6.14

Kernel Upgrade from 6.13 to 6.14

Normally I do not recommend switching to a new major version of the kernel immediately, but to wait for two, three or four minor versions first. So I only looked at the new options, but haven't checked them yet. I also recommend that you only switch when the sys-kernel/linux-headers are also available in the kernel version (these usually take a little longer).

Notes for 6.14

A good overview of everything new in 6.14 can be found here:

If you prefer to listen and have the new features explained, you can watch this video (don't worry it's in english even if the headline is in german):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uehiJLPT1c0

Apart from a few performance improvements in task management, there are no new features that interest me. But if you have an AMD machine, this version should be very interesting for you, as it contains many patches for AMD (and AMDGPU). If you have a very new AMD CPU, you might also be interested in the new NPU driver “amdxdna”. The driver is based on Linux accel subsystem. NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is an AI inference accelerator integrated into AMD client CPUs. NPU enables efficient execution of Machine Learning applications like CNNs, LLMs, etc. NPU is based on AMD XDNA architecture.

Upgrade

I took over all but one default values with <return> when I did the make oldconfig. Here is a possible list (I have left out - as always - all new modules for some new hardware; if you have one of them, enable it):

1.
Device memory controller (DMEM) (CGROUP_DMEM) [N/y/?] (NEW)
2.
AMD MCE features (X86_MCE_AMD) [Y/n/?] (NEW) n
3.
reclaim empty user page table pages (PT_RECLAIM) [Y/n/?] (NEW)
4.
NT synchronization primitive emulation (NTSYNC) [N/y/?] (NEW)
5.
Print the kernel boot message on the screen (DRM_CLIENT_LOG) [N/y/?] (NEW)
6.
Intel Touch Host Controller (INTEL_THC_HID) [N/y/?] (NEW)
  Intel QuickSPI driver based on Intel Touch Host Controller (INTEL_QUICKSPI) [N/y/?] (NEW)
  Intel QuickI2C driver based on Intel Touch Host Controller (INTEL_QUICKI2C) [N/y/?] (NEW)
7.
Thunderbolt3 Alternate Mode driver (TYPEC_TBT_ALTMODE) [N/y/?] (NEW)
8.
Enable optimized CRC implementations (CRC_OPTIMIZATIONS) [Y/n/?] (NEW)

Remarks

1. I dont't think I need it and took the default.

2. This question confused me. If you have an AMD machine this option should already be enabled (and you don't get the question). I have an Intel machine and this option was in 6.13 not enabled (and invisible because -> Depends on: ... && AMD_NB [=n]). But they changed the dependency so you will get this question even if you have an Intel machine. Of course we don't need it for an Intel machine, so "No".

3. Take the default.

4. As far as I understand it, this module offers mutexes that provide a performance boost, especially for Windows games. @Maple Circuit has shown some improvements in his video. I don't play any Windows games and have therefore adopted the default.

5. I interpret this new option as necessary if you want to have a RealTime kernel. Since I don't have an RT, I'm sticking with my old settings. The activation of this option is necessary to be able to select the new “Default DRM Client”:

KERNEL Kernel

Device Drivers  --->
    Graphics support  --->
        [*] Direct Rendering Manager (XFree86 4.1.0 and higher DRI support)  --->
            Supported DRM clients  --->
                [*] Print the kernel boot message on the screen
                Default DRM Client (log)  --->
                  ( ) fbdev
                  (X) log

You may want to read this article, which also explains the kernel command line parameter “drm_log.scale=3”: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.14-DRM-Boot-Log

6. If you have a machine with a Touch Host Controller enable it. I have taken over the default.

7. Select this option if you have Thunderbolt3 hardware on your system.

8. Take the default. The two options CONFIG_CRYPTO_CRC32C_INTEL and CONFIG_CRYPTO_CRC32_PCLMUL have been removed from “Accelerated cryptographic algorithms for CPU”.