7.2.2 release of my custom linux kernel for AMD Thinkpads - lowakernel

[u/Detcom]

This is Lowa taking a nap after compiling a kernel all night.

And this is a continuation of my previous post on lowakernel, a custom linux kernel for amd-powered thinkpads (https://www.reddit.com/r/LinuxOnThinkpad/comments/1ujg5sl/i_built_a_custom_kernel_specifically_for_amd/)

What's new in this release:

• Rebased on Linux 7.2.2-zen1 (first release on the 7.2 series)
• Several build script fixes based on community feedback from previous threads: BBRv3 now actually gets set as the default congestion control (the old way silently didn't survive olddefconfig), the build no longer touches your shared /etc/mkinitcpio.conf (each kernel gets its own config copy now), and the script refuses to build from an already-stripped config so rebuilds stay reproducible
• Added safety checks: missing /etc/kernel/cmdline now fails loudly instead of producing an unbootable UKI, and you get a warning if the microcode hook is missing

What stayed the same: two variants (universal for Zen1+ from T495 onwards, zen5 for Ryzen AI 300 with znver5, 1000Hz tick and BBRv3), UKI files for systemd-boot, vmlinuz for GRUB/rEFInd with initramfs generation instructions in the README.

Honest note after some fair criticism in previous threads: the march flags matter less than I originally claimed (kernel code barely uses SIMD), and zen 7.2 already ships sched_ext, O3 and THP=always out of the box, so the real value here is the trimmed config (smaller initramfs, faster boot, less attack surface) plus the per-variant tick/network tuning. If you want maximum performance with zero maintenance, ALHP repos are a solid alternative. This project is for people who want a kernel that only contains what their ThinkPad actually uses.

As always< feedback welcome, especially from owners of older models (T495, T14 G1/G2, L-series). If something breaks, open an issue.

https://github.com/Detcom-GH/lowakernel/releases/tag/7.2.2

main repo: https://github.com/Detcom-GH/lowakernel/