What is the difference between the linuxlite and linuxlite-gaming kernels?

The linuxlite kernel uses dynamic preemption with a 6 ms scheduler latency target and on-demand Transparent Huge Pages — tuned for everyday desktop throughput. The linuxlite-gaming kernel uses full preemption with a 3 ms scheduler latency target, always-on Transparent Huge Pages, and the additional Kyber I/O scheduler — tuned for low input lag, smoother frame pacing and Linux gaming through Steam, Wine and Proton.

Which Linux Lite kernel should I install for gaming?

Install the linuxlite-gaming kernel if you regularly play games through Steam, Wine or Proton, run real-time audio or video production, or use VR. It targets a 3 ms scheduling window with full preemption and always-on Transparent Huge Pages for lower input lag and smoother frames at the cost of slightly more CPU overhead.

Can I have both Linux Lite kernels installed at the same time?

Yes. The linuxlite and linuxlite-gaming kernels install side by side and you can switch between them at the GRUB boot menu or via the Lite Kernel Manager. Installing one never removes or modifies the other, so the original kernel always remains as a safe fallback.

What kernel version do the Linux Lite kernels use?

Both Linux Lite kernels are built from the mainline Linux kernel (currently 7.2), downloaded from kernel.org and GPG-verified, with a curated set of CachyOS kernel patches applied on top. The configuration from the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS kernel is carried forward for full driver and hardware support.

Linux Lite Kernel Comparison: linuxlite vs linuxlite-gaming

Linux Lite ships with two custom Linux kernels built from the mainline Linux kernel (currently 7.2), downloaded from kernel.org and GPG-verified, with the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS kernel configuration carried forward. The default linuxlite kernel is tuned for general desktop use, while the optional linuxlite-gaming kernel is tuned for low input lag and high frame rates — ideal for Linux gaming through Steam, Wine and Proton. This Linux Lite kernel comparison breaks down every scheduler, memory, networking, storage and CachyOS patch setting so you can pick the best Linux kernel for your workload. For a deeper explanation of each setting, see the full Linux Lite Kernel page.

linuxlite vs linuxlite-gaming — full comparison table

Same in both kernels Desktop value Gaming value

Kernel setting	linuxlite (Desktop kernel)	linuxlite-gaming (Gaming kernel)
Scheduler
Base scheduler	EEVDF	EEVDF
CachyOS scheduler tuning	Enabled`gaming-sched` + `preempt-ipi` bias on top of EEVDF for snappy interactive response	Enabled`gaming-sched` + `preempt-ipi` bias on top of EEVDF for snappy interactive response
Preemption model	DynamicBalances throughput and responsiveness, switches modes at runtime	FullKernel can interrupt almost any task immediately — lowest latency for gaming
Scheduler latency target	6 msSmooth multitasking with low overhead	3 msHalf the window for faster frame delivery and lower input lag
Minimum granularity	750 μs	400 μs
Wakeup granularity	500 μs	300 μs
Timer frequency	1000 Hz4× the Ubuntu default of 250 Hz	1000 Hz4× the Ubuntu default of 250 Hz
Autogroup scheduling	DisabledAvoids TTY-based grouping that can starve GUI apps	DisabledAvoids TTY-based grouping that can starve GUI apps
Latency Nice	Enabled	Enabled
Core scheduling	Enabled	Enabled
UCLAMP utilisation clamping	Enabled5 buckets	Enabled5 buckets
Memory
Transparent Huge Pages (THP)	On demandAllocated when applications request them via `madvise`	Always onUsed wherever possible — benefits large game textures and assets
ZRAM compressed swap	EnabledCompressed swap in RAM, ideal for low-memory PCs	EnabledCompressed swap in RAM, ideal for low-memory PCs
ZSWAP	EnabledZstd compression	EnabledZstd compression
NUMA balancing	Enabled	Enabled
Networking
TCP congestion control	BBR v3	BBR v3
Default queue discipline	Fair Queueing (FQ)	Fair Queueing (FQ)
Storage
I/O scheduler	MQ-Deadline	MQ-Deadline
Kyber I/O scheduler	Disabled	EnabledAdditional scheduler option for fast NVMe drives
CachyOS Kernel Patches (Linux 7.2)
AMD P-State (`amd-pstate`)	AppliedPreferred-core scheduling on Ryzen	AppliedPreferred-core scheduling on Ryzen
BBR v3 (`bbr3`)	AppliedTCP congestion control	AppliedTCP congestion control
Gaming scheduler tuning (`gaming-sched`)	AppliedCachyOS scheduler bias on top of EEVDF	AppliedCachyOS scheduler bias on top of EEVDF
Preemption IPIs (`preempt-ipi`)	AppliedLower-latency preemption via targeted IPIs	AppliedLower-latency preemption via targeted IPIs
KSM controls (`ksm`)	AppliedPer-process samepage merging	AppliedPer-process samepage merging
Curated upstream fixes (`fixes`)	AppliedScheduler, USB, Bluetooth, i915, ALC269 audio	AppliedScheduler, USB, Bluetooth, i915, ALC269 audio
HDMI fixes (`hdmi`)	AppliedAMD `amdgpu_dm` mode-setting and EDID	AppliedAMD `amdgpu_dm` mode-setting and EDID
VESA DSC bpp (`vesa-dsc-bpp`)	AppliedDisplayPort Display Stream Compression	AppliedDisplayPort Display Stream Compression
Sound codecs (`snd-codecs`)	AppliedAdditional laptop/desktop audio codec support	AppliedAdditional laptop/desktop audio codec support
Apple T2 (`t2`)	AppliedKeyboard, trackpad, audio, storage on T2 Macs	AppliedKeyboard, trackpad, audio, storage on T2 Macs
CachyOS base (`cachy`)	SkippedToo broad for a stable mainstream distro	SkippedToo broad for a stable mainstream distro
BORE scheduler (`sched/bore`)	SkippedConflicts with `gaming-sched`; EEVDF tuning used instead	SkippedConflicts with `gaming-sched`; EEVDF tuning used instead
Mainline Linux 7.2 features leveraged
ntsync (Wine / Proton)	EnabledUpstreamed in Linux 6.14	EnabledUpstreamed in Linux 6.14
vmscape mitigation	EnabledNow in mainline (was a CachyOS patch on 7.0)	OffAll CPU mitigations disabled on the gaming kernel — see Build
AMD ISP4 webcam	EnabledNow in mainline; Ryzen AI / Phoenix laptop webcams	EnabledNow in mainline; Ryzen AI / Phoenix laptop webcams
KSM per-process controls	Enabled	Enabled
AMD P-State preferred core	Enabled	Enabled
AES-NI / AVX-512 crypto	Enabled	Enabled
Zstd compression (ZSWAP / ZRAM / Btrfs)	EnabledDefault ZSWAP compressor	EnabledDefault ZSWAP compressor
Build
Compiler optimisation	-O2`CC_OPTIMIZE_FOR_PERFORMANCE`	-O2`CC_OPTIMIZE_FOR_PERFORMANCE`
CPU speculative-execution mitigations	EnabledFull mainline set, as upstream ships them	Disabled`CONFIG_CPU_MITIGATIONS=n` for maximum throughput and lowest latency
Stack unwinder	Frame pointer	ORC`CONFIG_UNWINDER_ORC=y` — faster, and lets the proprietary NVIDIA driver build against mainline
Source tree	Mainline Linux 7.2 (kernel.org)Downloaded as the signed upstream tarball and GPG-verified against the kernel signing keys
Base config source	Ubuntu kernel config`/boot/config-$(uname -r)` carried onto the mainline tree, with a Linux Lite fragment merged via `merge_config.sh` then `olddefconfig`
Which Linux Lite kernel is best for you?
Recommended use case	Everyday desktopWeb browsing, office, media, software development, general multitasking	Gaming and low-latencySteam, Wine, Proton, audio and video production, VR
Trade-off	Higher throughputBetter batch performance, lower CPU overhead from context switches	Lower latencyFaster input response and smoother frames, slightly more CPU overhead
Installs as	DefaultShips with every Linux Lite installation	OptionalOffered on first login or installed any time via the Lite Kernel Manager

Which Linux Lite kernel should you choose?

Pick linuxlite if you want the best Linux desktop kernel for everyday use — lower CPU overhead, better battery life on laptops, and a smooth experience for browsing, office work and development.

Pick linuxlite-gaming if you want the best Linux gaming kernel for Steam, Wine, Proton and esports titles, or if you do real-time audio or video production where input latency and frame pacing matter more than raw throughput.

You don’t have to commit either way — both kernels can be installed side by side and switched at the boot menu. Read the full feature breakdown on the Linux Lite Kernel page.