Linus Torvalds has announced the release of the latest Linux kernel version 5.18, bringing with it the usual masses of improvements and new hardware support. Seems like it was a quiet one when it comes to releasing, with Torvalds jokingly calling it "boring old plain 5.18".
Just some of what's new includes:
- Intel Alder Lake N graphics support.
- More work towards Intel DG2 (Alchemist) support.
- FreeSync enabled by default in AMDGPU driver.
- AMD preparations for Zen 4.
- Better sensor monitoring for newer motherboards from ASUS
- Function key mapping for MacBook Pros with a Touch Bar.
- Improvements to support for Apple Keyboards.
- A driver for Razer Blackwidow keyboards.
- Various speed-ups for the Btrfs filesystem.
- Support for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.
You can check out more in detail via Phoronix and Kernel Newbies.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
7 comments
QuoteFreesync enabled by default in AMDGPU driver
This is massive, can someone explain it in further detail for me? Because I remember something very similar being added for 5.13 but Freesync remains a sore spot on Linux, unless you want to live on choppy xorg or use Plasma Wayland. I tried using Plasma but it isn't my taste, it feels like a Windows knockoff comfort zone IMO. I'm probably the only gamer out there who prefers Gnome.
Does anyone know if Gnome Wayland will be affected by this change? Can we expect to see it on Gnome Wayland? I hope to Arch Gnome frequently to check the advancements, most recently I was impressed with Gnome 42's changes to input/refresh rate, there's less of a delay now with Wayland it seems, apparently thanks to something to do with touchpad gestures.
Access to Freesync is actually my number one dealbreaker when considering a distro, once Gnome Wayland gets it, my hopping days are over. But i was experiencing too many Skippy framerate recordings and i narrowed it down to VRR not working on a Freesync-enabled monitor.
Currently, I'm using Solus with VRR enabled via xorg (the amdgpu custom config, it doesn't get turned on out of the box like it claims, neither with Displayport or HDMI) with Steam Flatpak mediating compatibility and OBS Game Capture issues. Its wonderful but we're still on 5.15 and an old mesa for goodness sake.. But I cant use anything else, Solus Budgie and Arch Gnome are synonymous with "Linux" for me. I tried Fedora/Nobara but it felt too slow in comparison to my 2 loves, I always end up going back.
On a final note, the folks at Solus need some manpower, they are passionate but their hands have been overfilling for months. Don't let the distro die, please..
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I get choppy experience with a second monitor connected in many games (X11) and in Wayland the gaming experience is generally choppy (frames just randomly dropped to screen, no pace/smooth). This is with a 6800XT.
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Quoting: TheRiddickI get choppy experience with a second monitor connected in many games (X11) and in Wayland the gaming experience is generally choppy (frames just randomly dropped to screen, no pace/smooth). This is with a 6800XT.sudo cpupower frequency-info
What scheduler you have?
If not mistaking freesync ONLY works on primary screen.
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Quoting: drjomsWhat scheduler you have?
Performance
Freesync is only available on Primary screen. IN saying that freesync is the magic bullet to fix these types of issues and games should still be relatively smooth even without vsync.
Wish amdgpu would introduce fastsync or whatever AMD Utilities has under Windows.
I use ARCH but this list sums up Wayland issue.
It's going to need much more support to become a standard;
I do know there is a selection of blank canvas WM that use wlroots such as Sway and Wayfire but those require HEAVY amount of customisation to become a actually fully fledged usable desktop environment, and even still have lots of missing features. (and aren't stable)
https://wiki.debian.org/Wayland#Desktops
Last edited by TheRiddick on 23 May 2022 at 9:00 pm UTC
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Quoting: TheRiddickQuoting: drjomsWhat scheduler you have?
Performance
Freesync is only available on Primary screen. IN saying that freesync is the magic bullet to fix these types of issues and games should still be relatively smooth even without vsync.
Wish amdgpu would introduce fastsync or whatever AMD Utilities has under Windows.
I use ARCH but this list sums up Wayland issue.
It's going to need much more support to become a standard;
I do know there is a selection of blank canvas WM that use wlroots such as Sway and Wayfire but those require HEAVY amount of customisation to become a actually fully fledged usable desktop environment, and even still have lots of missing features. (and aren't stable)
https://wiki.debian.org/Wayland#Desktops
I am on KDE Plasma (Wayland) and FreeSync works on both my FreeSync capable monitors here. I also have no issues of dropped frames. Perfect experience here with my 5700 XT.
Weird that it doesn't work as good for you.
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Quoting: AgainstAllLogicI tried using Plasma but it isn't my taste, it feels like a Windows knockoff comfort zone IMOTo each his own, but you can move the taskbar and/or systray, or replace the whole bar with Latte Dock. Boom, doesn't have the Windows feel anymore.
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Quoting: Sojiro84i also dont have any wayland explicit issues with a RX 6600Quoting: TheRiddickQuoting: drjomsWhat scheduler you have?
Performance
Freesync is only available on Primary screen. IN saying that freesync is the magic bullet to fix these types of issues and games should still be relatively smooth even without vsync.
Wish amdgpu would introduce fastsync or whatever AMD Utilities has under Windows.
I use ARCH but this list sums up Wayland issue.
It's going to need much more support to become a standard;
I do know there is a selection of blank canvas WM that use wlroots such as Sway and Wayfire but those require HEAVY amount of customisation to become a actually fully fledged usable desktop environment, and even still have lots of missing features. (and aren't stable)
https://wiki.debian.org/Wayland#Desktops
I am on KDE Plasma (Wayland) and FreeSync works on both my FreeSync capable monitors here. I also have no issues of dropped frames. Perfect experience here with my 5700 XT.
Weird that it doesn't work as good for you.
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