> ## 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. # Latest Linux Kernel 6.16 is all Focused on AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-kernel-6-16/ - Published: 2025-07-28T04:29:35.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-28T04:29:35.000Z - Description: This kernel release introduces many refinements. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Linux, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 A new Linux release is here with improved performance, better reliability, and expanded support for new hardware. Landing two months after the [previous version](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-15/), it marks another milestone in the ongoing development of the kernel that powers much of the IT world. As usual, Linus Torvalds had [a few thoughts](https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/CAHk-=wh0kuQE+tWMEPJqCR48F4Tip2EeYQU-mi+2Fx%5FOa1Ehbw@mail.gmail.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) to share: > It's Sunday afternoon, and the release cycle has come to an end. Last > week was nice and calm, and there were no big show-stopper surprises > to keep us from the regular schedule, so I've tagged and pushed out > 6.16 as planned. ## Linux Kernel 6.16: What's New? If you are looking for an [LTS](https://itsfoss.com/long-term-support-lts/) kernel release, Linux 6.16 is not it. You can go for [Linux kernel 6.12](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-12/) or wait for the upcoming 6.17 release. In this article, we will focus on three key highlights of this release: - **CPU-focused Upgrades** - **GPU Support Refinements** - **Better Storage Handling** ### CPU-focused Upgrades ![a multicolored banner that shows the logos for intel, amd, and risc-v international](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/intel-amd-riscv-banner.png) We kick things off with the **changes related to AMD**, where the AMD-SBI driver and subsystem were introduced to improve power and thermal monitoring. This allows better management of AMD CPUs in Linux 6.16. Next up is the [AMD SEV](https://www.amd.com/en/developer/sev.html?ref=itsfoss.com) vTPM support, which enhances virtual machine security by enabling virtual trusted platform modules. This addition improves confidential computing for AMD-based encrypted VMs. Following that, Linux 6.16 improves reset cause reporting for AMD Zen processors. This feature helps identify the reason behind any prior system crashes or reboots, making troubleshooting more effective. **On the Intel side**, this kernel release introduces [TDX](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/tools/trust-domain-extensions/overview.html?ref=itsfoss.com) host support for [KVM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel-based%5FVirtual%5FMachine?ref=itsfoss.com), improving virtual machine isolation through hardware-based security. It also adds an overclocking watchdog to better monitor and control CPU performance. Rounding out the x86 updates, Linux 6.16 adds a new *X86\_NATIVE\_CPU* kernel build option. This allows users to optimize the kernel specifically for their current CPU, improving performance on custom builds. **For other architectures**, there are improvements like multi-core scheduler support for LoongArch, bringing better multi-core scheduling performance. RISC-V gains the new Firmware Features extension, expanding its functionality and compatibility with future ISA extensions. ### GPU Support Refinements ![a mixed green background banner that shows the illustration of a graphical processing unit or gpu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/gpu-banner.png) In terms of GPU upgrades, Linux 6.16 adds support for NVIDIA’s Blackwell and Hopper GPUs by including their PCI IDs in the [nouveau](https://nouveau.freedesktop.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) driver, improving support for these recently launched GPUs. Intel’s updates include a new power-saving feature called Link-Off Between Frames (*LOBF*) for laptops with eDP screens. It turns off the display link during idle times to save power without affecting the screen refresh. The Intel driver also gets other display fixes, and Xe GPUs now report fan speeds. ### Better Storage Handling ![a rainbowish colored banner with a desktop computer in the middle, the display shows some storage devices like a cd, pendrive, and a microsd card](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/storage-banner.png) Linux 6.16 brings many [bcachefs](https://bcachefs.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) improvements, including faster snapshot deletions, better device removal, and stronger self-healing. It also adds runtime enabling of incompatible features and clearer error messages. While these upgrades made it into the Linux 6.16 release, the project's future in the kernel remains in limbo, as Linus Torvalds [is done with it](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-bcachefs-drop/). Other than that, Btrfs gets performance boosts, XFS adds atomic write support, and eMMC/SD card removal is more lenient. EROFS also gains [Intel QAT](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/intel-quick-assist-technology-overview.html?ref=itsfoss.com) support. [New Linux Kernel Drama: Torvalds Drops Bcachefs Support After ClashThings have taken a bad turn for Bcachefs as Linux supremo Linus Torvalds is not happy with their objections.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-192x192-171.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/bcachefs-booted-from-linux-kernel-1.png)](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-bcachefs-drop/) ### Miscellaneous Changes To wrap up, here are some other notable changes included in this release: - Apple M2 PCIe is now supported. - OpenVPN DCO support for faster OpenVPN performance. - Using an Apple Magic Mouse 2 via USB-C is possible now. - Inclusion of dynamic preemption support for POWER CPUs. ## Installing Linux Kernel 6.16 If you are on a [rolling release](https://itsfoss.com/rolling-release/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) distribution, [Fedora](https://itsfoss.com/fedora-42-release/), or any one of [its derivatives](https://itsfoss.com/best-fedora-linux-distributions/?ref=news.itsfoss.com), then you will be one of the first ones to get this kernel release in your computer. For others, they can either wait for their distro to offer it or [install the latest mainline Linux kernel on Ubuntu](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/?ref=news.itsfoss.com). The tarball for Linux kernel 6.16 is available in [The Linux Kernel Archives](https://www.kernel.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com). Only use it if you know what you are doing. [Linux Kernel 6.16](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-192x192-170.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/install-mainline-kernel-in-ubuntu-2.png)](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/?ref=news.itsfoss.com)