Ever wondered if your computer is about to get a massive brain transplant. Well if you are running a Linux rig it basically is. With Linux 6.19 due for release later today it then opens up the next kernel merge window. It could be Linux 6.20 but more than likely the next kernel version will be called Linux 7.0 with Linus Torvalds' past tradition of bumping the major version number after X.19. Whatever it ends up being called, here is a look at various "-next" changes that have been queuing up ahead of the merge window.
Honestly the jump from 6 to 7 feels like a big deal even if Linus says it is just because he ran out of fingers to count on. But for us the users and the sysadmins and the gamers it means a whole lot of new hardware support and performance tweaks that make our machines hum. We are looking at everything from supercomputer networking leftovers being tossed out to brand new Intel and AMD support that will make your next laptop scream.
The Big Name Game Linux 6.20 or Linux 7.0
So why the confusion. In the Linux world version numbers are a bit of a vibe. Linus Torvalds usually gets tired of the numbers getting too high in the decimals. When we hit .19 or .20 he often just rolls it over to the next big whole number. It does not always mean a "revolutionary" change in the code base but this time around the sheer volume of "next" pull requests makes it feel like a 7.0 kind of party.
What is coming to the table
| Feature Category | Key Highlight | Impact |
| Graphics | AMD GFX 12.1 and Intel Nova Lake | Better gaming and display out of the box |
| Performance | Intel TSX and Sheaves Caching | Snappier multitasking |
| Hardware | Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple DT | Mobile and Mac support expansion |
| Networking | CAKE_MQ and HIPPI removal | Modernized internet handling |
Graphics and Display The Eye Candy Updates
If you are a gamer or a creator you know that the kernel is where the magic starts. One of the biggest things on the table for this Linux 6.20/7.0 cycle include new AMD graphics hardware support with different IP blocks being enabled. We are talking GFX 12.1 which is the next frontier for Team Red.
On the blue side Intel is not sitting back. There is Intel Nova Lake display support and expanded temperature reporting for Intel graphics cards. Also the Intel Xe driver is no longer blocking D3cold for all Battlemage GPUs. It is just limiting the blocks to known problematic systems like that one ASUS NUC. This means better power saving for most of you without the headache of your card not waking up.
Even the mobile world is getting love. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 display support is landing. This is huge for the "Linux on mobile" crowd and those fancy new ARM laptops.
Performance Tweaks and Under the Hood Magic
This is where it gets a bit nerdy but bear with me because it makes your PC faster. One of the coolest additions is replacing more Linux kernel caching code with Sheaves. The hope here is for "hopefully" better performance by managing memory more efficiently.
Then we have the Intel TSX situation. They are enabling Intel TSX by default on capable CPUs. It used to be disabled because of some security scares but for workloads that need better performance it is a massive win where the impact is low.
Why you should care about Preemption
The kernel is focusing just on full and lazy preemption models for modern CPU architectures. This might sound like jargon but it basically means the kernel is getting better at deciding when to let a program "interrupt" another one. It makes the whole system feel more responsive especially under heavy load.
Batch I/O dispatch for ublk: Faster storage speeds for certain setups.
IO_uring IOPOLL polling improvements: Lower latency for high-end SSDs.
Compiler-based context analysis: Fewer bugs in the code before it even reaches you.
Linux for Everyone Laptops and Audio
You ever buy a laptop and the speakers dont work. Or the fan stays on 100% all the time. This kernel update is fixing a lot of that "papercut" stuff. For example there is now LG Gram Style 14 laptop speaker support. No more silent movies on your fancy OLED screen.
The Framework 13 laptop is getting fan target and temperature thresholds. If you own a Framework you know how much we love control. Now the kernel lets you tune that cooling exactly how you want it.
And for the musicians Focusrite Forte USB audio interface support is finally landing. Linux is becoming a powerhouse for pro audio and these drivers are the backbone of that.
Security and the "Old School" Cleanup
Linux is great at keeping the old stuff alive but sometimes you gotta let go. They are finally retiring HIPPI. That was a networking standard for supercomputers back in the 1990s that was "near-Gigabit" before Gigabit was even a thing. It is time to say goodbye.
On the security side we have OPEN_TREE_NAMESPACE. This is a big win for containers and tools like Docker or Podman. It provides security and performance improvements that keep your apps isolated but fast. There is also RISC-V user-space control flow integrity which is a fancy way of saying your RISC-V chips are getting a lot harder to hack.
Customization No More Tux
Okay this one is just fun. For decades the little penguin Tux has been the face of the Linux boot process. But now the kernel is making it easy to set a custom boot logo in place of Tux during the Linux kernel boot process with the console. Want your company logo. Or a picture of your cat. Go for it. It is your kernel after all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Linux 7.0 break my old apps
Nope. Linux has a very strict "don't break userspace" rule. Your apps will run just fine even if the version number jumps to 7.
When can I get this on Ubuntu
This next kernel version is what Canonical intends to use as the default kernel of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. If you are on the LTS cycle you will see this in the spring of 2026.
Is my Intel CPU safe with TSX enabled
The devs are only enabling it where it is not too impacted by security issues. They are pretty cautious about these things so you should be good.
Conclusion
Whether it is called Linux 6.20 or the glorious Linux 7.0 we are in for a treat. From the massive graphics updates for AMD and Intel to the niche fixes for LG laptops and Focusrite audio gear the community is firing on all cylinders. The time slice extension which has been in the works for a literal decade might finally land. That is the kind of dedication that makes Linux amazing.
Stay tuned for the Linux 6.20/7.0 merge window coverage over the next two weeks followed by the start of fresh kernel benchmarks. We will see exactly how much faster these "Sheaves" and "TSX" changes actually make our machines.
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Source:
Citations: Torvalds, L. (2025). Kernel Mailing List Archives.
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Libellés: Linux, Kernel, Tech News, Open Source, AMD, Intel, Hardware, Ubuntu 26.04
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