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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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A noticeable difference in kernels? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

28 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have the following kernels installed:

linux-zen (Zen)
linux-rt (RealTime)
linux-hardened (Security Hardened)
linux-lts (Long Term Support)
linux-tr-lts (Realtime LTS)

When I boot up, I try the different kernels from time to time just to see if anything interesting happens. It never does.

My question: How do I actually physically notice the difference between these kernels? If I use RT, does Firefox spawn quicker (in my testing, no, not really)?

What are some use cases when I can really see the difference in these kernels?

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My question: How do I actually physically notice the difference between these kernels?

Generally, you don't. You can look for some benchmark to try and find a difference between them, but if you don't notice a difference in your day to day tasks, then it's all the same. In my experience you should pick a kernel based on your desired experience. For my needs this is how the kernels differ:

Generic kernel: a sane default for most regular users
LTS: only makes sense if you're worried about regressions in the generic kernel causing issues, and only viable if you can afford to stay behind on hardware driver updates, ie you use old hardware and/or optimal performance is not required
Zen: sometimes better for gaming, but often indistinguishable from the generic kernel
Realtime: rarely what you want, it sounds "faster" but it's basically optimized for very specific use cases and if you're not among them you'll see the same or worse performance

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 days ago

I'm trying to tinker with my system and replace a perfectly good and well optimized default kernel for some kernel made for specific niche use cases and I don't see any performance increase. Why would it be?

Yes, surprisingly the default kernel is optimized well rather than just being a badly written placeholder that users should manually replace for their system to become usable.

It's 2025 and stuff is designed to just work out of the box.