The Linux kernel team has released Linux kernel 6.13, bringing a slew of performance improvements and speed gains to the operating system. The new version includes several key features, including support for faster graphics performance on the Raspberry Pi, improved Broadcom V3D driver, and enhanced thermal management on Intel-based systems.
Game developers will also benefit from the improved graphics performance, thanks to the addition of 1MB ‘super pages’ and 64KB ‘big pages’, which should deliver much faster graphics performance for games and applications with high memory usage.
Other notable features include support for SD Ultra Capacity (SDUC) memory cards, improved performance on UHS-II SDXC cards, and enhanced crypto performance on Intel/AMD systems. Additionally, Linux kernel 6.13 includes several new drivers for peripherals, devices, and other accessories, including the Corsair Void headset and Apple’s Magic Trackpad 2.
Users of desktop Linux distributions can expect to see these improvements in action when they upgrade to Linux kernel 6.13. However, users who rely on package managers or Canonical mainline kernel builds should note that they may not receive security updates or specific patches/fixes for this version.
The source code for Linux kernel 6.13 is available for download, but users can also wait for someone else to package the kernel update for them. Ubuntu LTS users will receive major new kernel releases backported from newer Ubuntu releases as part of the hardware enablement (HWE) stack, while Canonical mainline kernel builds offer an alternative option.
Overall, Linux kernel 6.13 is a significant release that brings numerous performance improvements and speed gains to the Linux operating system.
Source: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/01/linux-kernel-6-13-release-features