> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Linux Kernel 6.15 Lands with Rust-based NVIDIA Driver, File System Upgrades, and More - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-kernel-6-15/ - Published: 2025-05-27T14:50:21.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-27T14:50:21.000Z - Description: Linux 6.15 adds a new Rust-based GPU driver, faster file deletes, and more. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Linux, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 A new Linux release signifies progress in making the kernel faster, more reliable, and compatible with newer hardware. As expected, a new release has arrived two months after the [earlier kernel release](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-14/), marking a notable milestone in Linux's development. On this, Linus Torvalds [stated](https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/CAHk-=wiLRW8DN8-4jmeCZH0OpO8skXOC5e6FwMfsPwGMpQYmVQ@mail.gmail.com/T/?ref=itsfoss.com#u) that: > So this was delayed by a couple of hours because of a last-minute bug > report resulting in one new feature being disabled at the eleventh > hour, but 6.15 is out there now. > Apart from that final scramble, things looked pretty normal last week. > Various random small fixes all over, with drivers as usual accounting > for most of it. But we've got some bcachefs fixes, some core > networking, and some mm fixes in there too. Nothing looks particularly > scary. ## Linux Kernel 6.15: What's New? Similar to the last one, Linux 6.15 is **a non-LTS release**, featuring a short support period of around 9–12 weeks before it reaches EOL status. With this article, we will be focusing on the following changes: - **Initial Implementation of Nova** - **File System Improvements** - **AMD Refinements** - **Intel Changes** ### Initial Implementation of Nova ![a banner that shows the red hat logo, the text nova, and some green lines to depic a pcb](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/05/nova-banner.png) Laying the foundation, [Red Hat](https://www.redhat.com/en?ref=itsfoss.com) engineers have introduced the initial patches for [Nova](https://itsfoss.com/nova-gpu-driver-linux/), a new open source, Rust-based driver for newer NVIDIA GPUs. Designed as a future replacement for [nouveau](https://nouveau.freedesktop.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com), Nova **follows a GSP-only approach** to reduce driver complexity while aiming to support a wide range of hardware, starting with RTX 2000 series and newer. ### File System Improvements ![an illustration with an abstract storage graphic in the center, the background is mixed purple and blue](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/05/storage-banner.png) This kernel release introduces several file system improvements, starting with [Btrfs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Btrfs?ref=itsfoss.com) now supporting fast, real-time [Zstd](https://github.com/facebook/zstd?ref=itsfoss.com) compression, with levels ranging from -1 to -15\. For [exFAT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExFAT?ref=itsfoss.com), **file deletion is much faster than before**, resulting in a smoother and more responsive experience when removing large numbers of files. Similarly, [FUSE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filesystem%5Fin%5FUserspace?ref=itsfoss.com) now lets you use much longer filenames, up to 4096 characters. There’s also **early enablement work going in to support large atomic writes**, which should help file systems like [XFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFS?ref=itsfoss.com) and [ext4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ext4?ref=itsfoss.com) handle data more safely and efficiently in the future. ## AMD Refinements ![amd logo in the center, the background in mixed shades of orange](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/05/amd-banner.png) The first highlight here is support for the *INVLPGB* instruction, found in newer Zen CPUs. It helps speed up memory management by quickly clearing outdated memory data across CPU cores, which can improve performance in certain workloads. The [AMD P-State driver](https://docs.kernel.org/admin-guide/pm/amd-pstate.html?ref=itsfoss.com) also sees upgrades, making CPU frequency scaling more efficient, resulting in better performance and lower power use. Additionally, there's foundational work for AMD's [Versal](https://www.amd.com/en/products/adaptive-socs-and-fpgas/versal.html?ref=itsfoss.com) NET platform, bringing early support for these hybrid SoCs. ## Intel Changes ![intel logo in the middle, mixed blue gradient in the backdrop](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/05/intel-banner.png) On the Intel side, Linux 6.15 adds **support for Raptor Lake-S processors in the EDAC subsystem**, improving memory error detection and system stability. The Intel Xe graphics driver also gets major upgrades, including **Shared Virtual Memory** (SVM) for better CPU-GPU interoperation and new tools for monitoring GPU performance. ### Miscellaneous Changes We wrap this up with some other notable changes: - Inclusion of the Intel Killer E5000 driver. - Using the Apple [Touch Bar](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-the-touch-bar-mchlbfd5b039/mac?ref=itsfoss.com) is now possible. - Better compatibility with Sony PlayStation 5 controllers. - [Turbostat](https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red%5Fhat%5Fenterprise%5Flinux/7/html/performance%5Ftuning%5Fguide/sect-red%5Fhat%5Fenterprise%5Flinux-performance%5Ftuning%5Fguide-performance%5Fmonitoring%5Ftools-turbostat?ref=itsfoss.com) now supports 8,192 cores, a substantial increase from the previous 1024-core limit. - RISC-V gains support for new instructions like *bfloat16*, *Zicbom*, *Zaamo*, *Zalrsc*, *Zicntr*, and *Zihpm*. ## Installing Linux Kernel 6.15 If you are up for an adventure, then you could try [installing the latest mainline Linux kernel](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) on Ubuntu manually. Of course, **this comes with many risks**, and we don't recommend it for new users or those who prefer a functional system that's stable. Users of [rolling release](https://itsfoss.com/rolling-release/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) distros, [Fedora](https://itsfoss.com/fedora-42-release/), and [Fedora-based derivatives](https://itsfoss.com/best-fedora-linux-distributions/) will be among the first ones to get their hands on this kernel release. Others may have to wait for their distro to offer it—and even then, there's no guarantee it will arrive. The tarball for Linux kernel 6.15 can be found in [The Linux Kernel Archives](https://www.kernel.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com). [Linux kernel 6.15](https://www.kernel.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) **Suggested Read** 📖 [Install the Latest Mainline Linux Kernel Version in UbuntuThis article shows you how to upgrade to the latest Linux kernel in Ubuntu. There are two methods discussed. One is manually installing a new kernel and the other uses a GUI tool providing even easier way.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-192x192-110.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/install-mainline-kernel-in-ubuntu-1.png)](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/?ref=news.itsfoss.com)