Linux Kernel 6.12 Released with Major Performance Improvements
TL;DR
Linux kernel 6.12 delivers significant performance gains, enhanced hardware support for latest CPUs and GPUs, and critical security patches affecting all distributions.
What Happened
- Performance improvements up to 15% in I/O operations
- Native support for Intel Meteor Lake and AMD Zen 5 processors
- Improved NVIDIA open GPU kernel module integration
- Bcachefs filesystem stability enhancements
- Critical security patches for 12 CVEs
Why It Matters
This release brings substantial performance benefits for desktop and server workloads. The enhanced hardware support ensures compatibility with 2026's latest hardware, while security patches address vulnerabilities that could affect millions of systems.
Who It Affects
All Linux users will benefit from these improvements. Ubuntu 26.04, Fedora 40, and Arch Linux users can expect kernel 6.12 in upcoming updates. Debian stable users will see it in Debian 13 (Trixie).