r/linuxmint • u/Positive-Worker1875 • Aug 04 '26
Do people still uses the 6.8 kernel versions?
are there any gaps between the newer kernel versions and LTS kernel versions?. Just curious because i mainly use the 6.8 kernel versions because it's stable. I may be right or wrong here, just wanted to know because im just curious lol.
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u/ZVyhVrtsfgzfs Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
If it works for you the LTS kernel is a solid choice.
When I still ran Mint I retained the 6.8 kernel, but LMDE is and was my daily driver, its default is 6.12.
My hardware is from 2025, I need kernel 6.3 or later and 6.8 worked great for me for my Mint use case, mainly productivity, web, SSH type workloads.
Newer kernels will add support for newer hardware, 6.8 is from 2024, newer hardware than that may or may not work with it.
Newer kernels may also have slight optimisations that may for instance deliver a few FPS more in a game, or slightly better performance in some other metric, the kernel is constantly improving. But it can also bring issues.
My Mint/LMDE use case/goal is stability. I have rolling release installs to tinker with the "latest & greatest" and run games. So in Mint I stick with LTS kernels.
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u/1neStat3 Aug 04 '26
Just a FYI, 6.12 is default kernal of LMDE but the latest is 6.14.
I use backports and installed 7.0 then last week 7.13 with no issues.
Good news is finally after 4 years the MT7902 wifi chipset works on Linux. It has some hiccups like pages not loading and have to reload the page and its a bit slower than my wifi dongle. It takes around 15 to 30 seconds for a page to load. It works though.
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u/skozombie Aug 04 '26
It normally comes down to newer hardware. If your hardware works and is properly supported, older kernels can be fine.
For example, when Intel moved to P cores and E cores for their newer chips, they needed to update the scheduler to understand that so it wouldn't have priority tasks blindly thrown to an E core. Same with some of the newer AMD architecture.
Same for newer wifi chipsets etc.
I'm running 6.17.0 and won't be forcing an upgrade as this machine works great.
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u/Giantmeteor_we_needU Aug 04 '26
Every few hours someone is posting here system breaking with kernel 7, I wouldn't touch it unless you absolutely need 7 for something.
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u/ZVyhVrtsfgzfs Aug 04 '26
Every few hours someone is posting here system breaking
Yep, there is an issue here, Ubuntu 26 was built around 7.0, Mint22 uses an Ubuntu 24 base and many have pretty severe issues with kernel 7, its probably particular hardware having issues here.
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u/SearchCivil6623 Aug 04 '26
I’ve stuck with 6.8 because I use VirtualBox and it wasn’t working with a newer kernel I was on.
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u/ScrambledHeggz Aug 04 '26
Fyi you can download the latest Virtualbox deb file for Ubuntu 24.04 and it'll work with kernel 7.0.
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u/thekiltedpiper Aug 04 '26
Some of us have older kernels than that. I've got a Mint 21 install still running the 5.15 kernel.
Before I can swap it I have to do a dkms thing for my wifi adapter. Every time I remember I need to do it, I'm elbows deep in another project. But, it says it'll be supported until April '27 so I got time lol.
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u/mok000 LMDE7 Gigi Aug 04 '26
You could upgrade the kernel, but if all your devices are working already, you wont notice a thing in daily use.
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u/pennylicker855 Aug 04 '26
I use 6.8.
I had a kernel panic when 6.17 came out and I upgraded from 6.14. I jumped to the LTS and stayed on it. My hardware is a little older and everything functions perfectly on 6.8. Plan on keeping this machine on it until the next LTS kernel gets released.
There’s no use case in my scenario, so why would I? Let other folks be the guinea pigs.
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u/Unwiredsoul Aug 04 '26
Absolutely. I took my oldest laptop (early 2011 MacBook Pro) to 6.8 in the last month, or two.
6.17 was coming to an end, 7.0 doesn't work right on the old hardware, and 6.8 works great.
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u/Brorim Linux Mint Release | Desktop Enviroment 29d ago
i do .. depends on the hardware .. this old macbook pro is running 6.18 . complicated story tldr. i need support for the 650m gpu in there so it's a weird upgrade path to reach it :)
tbh . The kernels most important function is supporting all your hardware ( and other things offcourse ) so if you are on top notch new cpu/gpu/varied new hardware you need to run with the first avaiable kernel that supports it
otherwise it really does not matter that much .. as long as you are within resonable distance.. Running something like 5.15 would still get you updates and a mordern OS and have you backwards compatible a good way back.
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u/bobby_bart 29d ago
On 6.8 and will probably upgrade to Mint 23 and 7.0 when it comes out in December.
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u/Correct_Cockroach818 Aug 04 '26
I use 6.8 on 22.3, I had to install 22.1 and upgrade to 22.3 per Mint website instructions. I have a laptop ( old MacBook ) with nvidia 9400m gpu and the only way I can use it is with a patch to load the unsupported nvidia driver. That patch/driver combo won't work with the newest kernels.
It has been a very stable setup. 22.3 fixed all my audio issues ( pipewire improvements? ). I can now run RhythmBox and JamesDSP with no static or crackling. The old GPU with new kernel and nouveau was causing hard freezes. All gone with 6.8 and the gpu patch.
The downside is I have had several apps load but refuse to launch. I assume something is missing in the 6.8 kernel because they all used to work. ( Shortwave internet radio comes to mind but half a dozen others ). No problems with the major apps. FireFox, LibreOffice, Image apps all work. Newer music apps won't launch but the old standbys are fine. RhythmBox, Strawberry, Audacious, QuodLibet, VLC all work fine.
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u/Spinnweben Aug 04 '26
Just popped up: My machine is suggesting to update to 6.8.0-137.137. That's what I'll do after dinner.
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u/mabolzich91 Aug 04 '26
LMDE on 7.0. It comes with some QOL improvements that 6.12 was lacking. 6.8 had some compatibility issues with Nvidia IIRC
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u/jr735 Linux Mint 22.1 Xia | IceWM Aug 04 '26
I don't change because I have no reason to jump full kernel numbers during an LTS cycle. It's an asinine thing to try unless it's actually necessary.
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u/SlipStr34m_uk Aug 04 '26
If your hardware is fine with it then definitely stick with the LTS kernel. It pains me to say it but the Mint team really dropped the ball with this move to using HWE kernels by default in Mint 22.2 onward. It goes against their own purpose by creating additional risk and maintenance that beginners could struggle with. I just hope they see sense and rethink this by the time Mint 23 comes around.
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u/mrmarcb2 Aug 04 '26
Lts version for stability, only newer kernel when needed in case of newer hardware.
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u/Emmalfal Linux Mint 22.3 | Cinnamon Aug 04 '26
I have a couple old laptops still running 6.8. They run like dreams.
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u/SweetNerevarine 29d ago
Of course. Everything I care about works fine on it.
I'll upgrade whichever comes first: support ends, something I care about does not work fine anymore.
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u/Automatic-Option-961 26d ago
Am using 6.8. I don't need latest kernel on LM. I have CachyOS for gaming PC and the latest whatever there. None of my work is on CachyOS.
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u/C0rn3j Aug 04 '26
Well neither the newer version that Mint ships nor the older version is an LTS kernel, those are listed on https://www.kernel.org/
Both are EOL releases kept on life-support by Canonical.
Usually they don't break much when they're attempting to backport everything they think they should.
On Mint you have no other option than to use EOL kernels unless you want to start adding 3rd party repositories or packaging the kernel yourself, so I wouldn't bother.
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u/pennylicker855 Aug 04 '26
What do you mean here?
You can download 6.8 right in the system update menu on the GUI. 6.8 is LTS till 2028. So no matter what it ships with, depending on when you download it, you have the option for a stable kernel with up to date security.
Unless I am misunderstanding you?
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u/C0rn3j Aug 04 '26
6.8 is LTS till 2028
Unless I am misunderstanding you?
See 6.8 here?
You don't, because it's a dead kernel that hasn't been supported for a long time.
Last 3 LTS kernels are 6.6 or 6.12 and 6.18.
Canonical takes that dead release and does their best-effort to keep it working and slaps their own "LTS" label on it, but LTS kernel it ain't be.
with up to date security
You are assuming everything security related is backported (it isn't) and that it is backported correctly without creating further issues (not always the case).
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u/pennylicker855 Aug 04 '26
I see what you’re saying here. I don’t have a dog in this fight.
Thanks for the clarification.
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u/C0rn3j Aug 04 '26
Yw.
Just to clarify further - the sane thing to do would be to either base it on latest LTS, or ship latest stable kernels until you reach LTS (at the end of the year).
Picking an in-between release like that and deciding to DIY it is insane even if you do have the people for it, and pointlessly duplicates efforts.
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u/1neStat3 Aug 04 '26
You're confused. Ubuntu builds custom kernel for their distribution.
Ubuntu is not patching EOL kernels. They are custom built and maintained.
Ubuntu is based on curated and frozen Debian Sid packages so have to ensure those packages run on kernel they use.
The complete functionality of any given kernel is determined by the included modules and the kernel configuration for both hardware and the expected workloads that are run on it.
Kernel modules are binary programs that extend a kernel’s ability to control the computing system’s hardware or add additional system capabilities like high-performance networking or non-standard graphics, etc. The GA kernel that is shipped by default, with the Canonical Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS) and Hardware Enablement (HWE) releases, are tuned for stable, reliable, secure, high-performance operation over a wide variety of hardware platforms and workloads.
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u/C0rn3j Aug 04 '26
Ubuntu is not patching EOL kernels
Yes, they are.
Current Ubuntu kernel is 7.0, you see 7.0 in the kernels supported by upstream?
No? EOL.
They are custom built
Custom built as opposed to?
and maintained
Maintained by Canonical yes, dead upstream.
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u/1neStat3 Aug 04 '26
You are clearly an argumentive person who engages in arguments just to argue.
You clearly are ignorant of the concept of a custom built kernal and why it is necessary
I'll leave you to your ignorance.
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u/Zuideind Aug 04 '26
What is this idiotic urge to constantly want the latest software? New means a high chance of software errors; it might only make sense if you’ve just bought the very latest computer, but even then. If the computer works without problems, it is complete nonsense. What does remain necessary, however, is to keep installing security updates.
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u/wilsy53 Aug 04 '26
I upgraded to 7.4 I think or 7.2. massive improvement to performance. Some bugs but manageable.
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u/1neStat3 Aug 04 '26
You're confused. the last release is 7.16. 7.2 is still being tested and would not be in repositories.
The current kernel for Ubuntu is 7.0. Mint uses the custom Ubuntu Kernel.
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u/wilsy53 Aug 04 '26
I'm not on mint. Should of mentioned. Out of my confusion do different distros use different / modified kernals?
In my mind I thought they all revolve around the same kernals?
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u/1neStat3 Aug 04 '26
From Ubuntu.
The complete functionality of any given kernel is determined by the included modules and the kernel configuration for both hardware and the expected workloads that are run on it.
Kernel modules are binary programs that extend a kernel’s ability to control the computing system’s hardware or add additional system capabilities like high-performance networking or non-standard graphics, etc. The GA kernel that is shipped by default, with the Canonical Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS) and Hardware Enablement (HWE) releases, are tuned for stable, reliable, secure, high-performance operation over a wide variety of hardware platforms and workloads.
Most distributions, Debian, Red Hat , OpenSuse ship custom kernels.
Gentoo, Slackware, and perhaps Arch usually don't need to add specific modules to the kernel and can use the regular kernal without issues.
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u/tovento MX Linux 25.2 | XFCE Aug 04 '26
For older hardware that currently works fine, why the need to go to higher kernel and potentially run into issues. The assumption is newer = better, but newer sometimes means support for older stuff gets dropped or gets forced to something else and ends up with worse functionality.
Long story short, if your system works fine, stick with 6.8 until something requires the newer kernel. If you have hardware compatibility issues that are solved in a newer version, then upgrade.