Benefits of Upgrading to Liquorix 6.18-9:
Users who have experienced lag after system updates will appreciate the improvement offered by the Liquorix kernel. It enhances interactivity, making it particularly beneficial for multimedia tasks. Real-world tests, such as video editing on a ThinkPad, have shown faster window transitions and reduced stuttering during timeline scrubbing.
Safe Installation Process:
The Liquorix team offers a script that can be executed step by step for added safety. Users should first download the script, review it to ensure it aligns with their system's needs, and then execute it with elevated privileges. The script automatically selects the correct package for the user's system and updates the bootloader, enabling users to verify the new kernel before rebooting.
Technical Changes:
Key modifications in the kernel include:
- Scheduler Tweaks: The default scheduler has been updated for improved performance on SSDs.
- Memory Reclamation: Enabled for background processes, beneficial for heavy workloads but may introduce slight latency.
- CPU Frequency Adjustments: Tweaks to the "ondemand" governor keep the CPU at higher frequencies longer, increasing heat output.
- PDS/BMQ Scheduler: Makes CPU time allocation more aggressive for interactive tasks, favoring responsiveness over batch processing performance.
- Enhanced Preemption and RCU: Aims for sub-millisecond response times, with negligible effect on typical usage.
- TCP BBR2 Implementation: Offers improved throughput on poor connections, providing some performance gains.
Cautions and Troubleshooting:
Potential issues after installation may include missing firmware errors, driver incompatibility, bootloader confusion for systems using systemd-boot, and virtualization slowdowns. Users can revert to the previous kernel if problems arise and uninstall the Liquorix kernel if necessary.
Conclusion:
The Liquorix Kernel 6.18-9 is a solid choice for users who value responsiveness and interactivity in their Linux experience, especially for gaming and multimedia tasks. However, those running low-power devices or headless servers should weigh the benefits against potential inefficiencies. With careful installation and awareness of potential pitfalls, users can enjoy a more responsive and enjoyable computing experience.
Future Developments:
Going forward, users can anticipate further enhancements in kernel performance and efficiency in upcoming releases, as the Liquorix team continues to focus on providing a tailored Linux experience for performance-oriented users
Liquorix Linux Kernel 6.18‑9 released
The new Liquorix Kernel 6.18-9, based on Kernel 6.18.8, has been released, promising a snappier desktop experience with lower frame-time jitter in games and smoother video work. The kernel sacrifices some power efficiency for improved interactivity, making it suitable for users who spend more time in browsers or games rather than spreadsheets. To install the new kernel safely, users can run a provided script that pulls pre-built packages and updates GRUB, allowing them to verify the new entry before rebooting into "hyper-responsive" mode. The kernel includes various changes under the hood, including scheduler tweaks, memory reclamation, CPUFreq adjustments, and more aggressive preemptive handling of interactive tasks.
