Linux 6.13-rc1 Released : What’s New!

Linux kernel 6.13-rc1 has been released by Linus Torvalds, marking the end of the two-week merge window and the beginning of the stabilization phase for this kernel version.

This release brings a multitude of new features and improvements across various subsystems

Key Features And Improvements

CPU And Hardware Support

• AMD Enhancements:
  • Introduction of the AMD 3D V-Cache Optimizer driver for Ryzen X3D CPUs
  • Support for AMD EPYC 9005 “Turin” processors (Zen 5)
  • PCIe TPH (TLB Processing Hints) support for AMD EPYC 9005 series
  • AMD P-State driver now default for EPYC Turin processors
• Intel Updates:
  • Initial work on Intel Xe3 next-generation graphics support, focusing on Panther Lake processors
  • Support for 6-node sub-NUMA clustering
  • PMU support for Intel ArrowLake-H CPUs

Kernel And System Improvements

• Support for running Linux in a protected virtual machine under Arm CCA
• Implementation of the “Lazy preemption” model for x86, RISC-V, and LoongArch platforms
• Multi-grain timestamps reintroduced
• Support for Ultra Capacity SD cards
• NVMe 2.1 support

File Systems And Storage

• F2FS: New device aliasing feature
• Btrfs: Performance boost by reducing lock contention
• EXT4: Miscellaneous bug fixes and cleanups
• ReiserFS: Removed from the mainline kernel

Networking And Drivers

• NVIDIA Mellanox MLX5 DDP support for Data Direct Placement3
• Per netns RTNL (disabled by default) for networking2
• Improved logic for trusting built-in Thunderbolt controllers3

Other Notable Changes

• Rust support for in-place kernel modules
• Clang AutoFDO and Propeller compiler optimization support
• Removal of the industrial Fieldbus subsystem and other unmaintained staging drivers
• New ACPI backlight quirk for Apple MacbookPro11,2 and Air7,2

Development Outlook

Linus Torvalds noted that this release cycle aligns well with the holiday season, allowing time for both stabilization of 6.13 and a relaxed start to the 6.14 development cycle in January

The stable release of Linux 6.13 is expected by late January 2025, assuming the typical development timeline.

This release continues to showcase the Linux kernel’s ongoing evolution, with significant improvements in hardware support, performance optimizations, and system capabilities across a wide range of components.