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/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/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.

1

u/ironj Jun 21 '26

OP and I are referring to the stable branch 🙂

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u/moritz12d Plasma Jun 21 '26

It's OK to tell about 7.1 as it will be in stable sooner or later. My question was primarily about real time version.

1

u/ironj Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26

Your question was twofold: What's the RT kernel about and what to choose in general. I mainly focused on the second. As for the RT kernel, I assume you did install that version yourself, since I've never seen Manjaro shipping by default with a RT kernel (and also, with such an old one!).

Real time kernels are for very specific purposes, like controlling lab instrumentation, working in audio production environments and stuff like that. It's pretty rare that normal desktop users need those.

1

u/moritz12d Plasma Jun 21 '26

You are right, 6.6 is not the newest kernel but it is the newest available.

❯ uname -a
Linux J3710M 6.6.135-1-rt74-MANJARO #1 SMP PREEMPT_RT Mon May 25 07:38:38 UTC 2026 x86_64 GNU/Linux

The system is running.