In terms of gaming improvements, CachyOS now features Proton-CachyOS with FSR 4 machine learning frame generation for RDNA 3/4 GPUs, support for d7vk to enhance DirectX 9 gaming, and DualSense haptic feedback functionality, although the latter requires manual activation. Additionally, an NVIDIA flag called “EnableAggressiveVblank” has been introduced to minimize interrupt latency, particularly beneficial for low-refresh monitors.
While the January 2026 release is characterized by its solid refinements—such as a faster installer and smoother desktop experience—there are still some areas needing improvement. For instance, the transition from SDDM to plasma-login-manager entails additional manual steps for users migrating from the previous system. Furthermore, while the inclusion of both stable and LTS kernels provides a safety net for users with newer hardware, the default kernel selection remains set to the stable branch, which could pose challenges for those on cutting-edge devices. The new mirror status page, while functional, lacks an intuitive design and could benefit from a more straightforward presentation.
Overall, this release represents a meaningful evolution for CachyOS, making it an opportune moment for users who have hesitated to upgrade due to installer complications or reliance on X11. The improvements lend themselves to a more seamless experience, making it worthwhile to explore the latest version available on the official download page.
Future Considerations:
To further enhance the CachyOS experience, the developers could focus on refining the configuration UI of the plasma-login-manager to make it more user-friendly, potentially introducing custom background settings directly in the interface. Additionally, addressing the UI of the mirror status page and ensuring that kernel selections are more intuitive for users could further streamline the installation process. As CachyOS continues to evolve, ongoing feedback from the community will be invaluable in guiding future updates and enhancements
CachyOS January 2026 released
CachyOS’s January 2026 ISO revamps the installer by moving bootloader selection into Calamares (defaulting to Limine), adding early architecture detection and the “--needed” pacman flag, which together cut download size by about a gigabyte and prevent redundant package installs. The live session now runs on Wayland and uses the new plasma‑login‑manager, giving KDE a more native greeter while dropping X11 dependencies. Gaming gets modest upgrades: Proton‑CachyOS adds FSR 4 ML frame generation for RDNA 3/4 GPUs, d7vk support, DualSense haptics, and an NVIDIA “EnableAggressiveVblank” flag that trims interrupt latency. Overall the release feels like a solid refinement—faster installer, smoother desktop experience, and useful gaming tweaks—though some UI quirks (mirror status page, SDDM migration steps) remain.
