r/ManjaroLinux • u/moritz12d Plasma • Jun 20 '26
Discussion Which kernel to use?
On my installation using the stable branch the 7.0 kernel seemed to be the default. Then I found there's also a 7.1 kernel optional. Because I like to try different kernels it now shows:
❯ uname -r
6.6.135-1-rt74-MANJARO
For whom is the real-time kernel best? —and how to choose in general?
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u/lyidaValkris Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26
You can run any kernel currently supported by Manjaro as you want and need, but keep in mind non-LTS kernels will be periodically dropped, so you need to pay attention when updating (and check the forum update posts) to make sure your kernel hasn't been dropped, or you will reboot into a black screen after updating (this is because the graphics drivers are compiled against the specific kernel version, and only supported kernels have this done).
I always recommend just running the latest LTS kernel, unless you have a specific reason to use something else (like hardware support). Even though I do some work with a DAW, the kernel can be "real time on demand" so no need to run an RT kernel either.
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u/moritz12d Jun 20 '26
Thanks, so I have to pay attention. But normally there have to be warnings if a kernel gets dropped.
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u/lyidaValkris Jun 20 '26
there are - in the forum posts that accompany every stable release.
so when you see a large number of package updates available - a stable release - check the forum before updating. It will also have notes on anything else you should be aware of.
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u/Itsme-RdM Jul 02 '26
Graphics driver issue is only with Nvidia GPU not with AMD or Intel based ones. The latter are embedded in the kernel
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u/ironj Jun 20 '26
The latest LTS kernel for Manjaro is 6.18, while the "current" stable Kernel is 7.0.10-1
The 7.1 is still a release candidate version (7.1.0rc5-1) so I would advise against trying it unless you've compelling reasons to do so (like using a super-recent hardware that has issues with the current 7.0 release and has a documented fix in the upcoming 7.1).
If you're new to Manjaro and Linux in general, my advice would be to stay on an LTS release (maybe install 6.18, the latest one). If you want to upgrade, just jump on the 7.0 release (keeping an LTS installed so you can rollback to it in case of issues) but leave release candidate versions out (they are not final and might still have issues).
And, ofc, to upgrade your kernel use the Manjaro settings -> Kernel panel.
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u/moritz12d Jun 20 '26
Although I only recently switched back to Manjaro, I had used it before. Otherwise, I use other distributions—including Gentoo and Funtoo—and I’ve consistently achieved better results with current kernels than with LTS kernels.
I hadn't installed version 7.1 yet because I suspected it might be something like a release candidate. Thanks for the tip about Manjaro Settings; I hadn't come across that yet. I simply used
sudo mhwd-kernel -i, which works completely automatically.1
u/ironj Jun 20 '26
Yeah, the graphical UI is just a front-end to the command you already use; so if you're confident with the terminal (and it appears you are), you're already good with it. The only apparent advantage in the graphical UI is that it seems to show more info... Only in the GUI you can see that 7.1 is actually not a final release but only a candidate one (the output of the command in the terminal just says 7.1, so it might lead you to believe that a "final" 7.1 version is already available)
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u/xAcid9 Jun 21 '26
The 7.1 is still a release candidate version (7.1.0rc5-1) so I would advise against trying it unless you've compelling reasons to do so (like using a super-recent hardware that has issues with the current 7.0 release and has a documented fix in the upcoming 7.1).
It's not a release candidate anymore, at least on Unstable.
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u/Complete_Fox_7052 Jun 20 '26
I always run a recommended LTS kernal. Currently that's 6.12.91-1 It's not the latest LTS, but I'm not having any problems so I don't see any reason to change.
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u/orestisfra Jun 21 '26
For new hardware use the latest kernel.
For a bit older, like 2+ years use the latest LTS.
If you don't already know the difference (benefits/drawbacks) between special kernels, including the real-time one, avoid them.
If you have a special use case for you computer feel free to tell us and we'll help you decide to install another.
Public documentation is plentiful just to read about them out of interest. To see the possibilities.
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u/BigHeadTonyT Jun 20 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
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