Linux 7.1 kernel drops i486 support, fixes Steam Deck audio, and brings new NTFS driver

The latest Linux 7.1 kernel has been released, delivering significant advancements in hardware support and power management efficiency. On the AMD front, the updated amd-pstate driver now incorporates Dynamic Energy Performance Preference (EPP), enabling automatic transitions between power profiles based on usage context; laptops can now seamlessly switch from Performance mode when plugged in to Balanced mode on battery power. Intel users benefit from the default enablement of FRED (Flexible Return and Event Delivery), a technology that accelerates transfers between processor privilege levels. This optimization yields noticeable performance gains under heavy workloads, such as audio production, and is anticipated to extend to future Zen 6 processors.

Beyond processor-specific updates, the release resolves critical hardware compatibility issues and enhances file system performance. Notably, audio functionality on the OLED version of the Steam Deck has been corrected, broadening the handheld console’s compatibility with various systems. Storage efficiency sees a major boost through improvements to exFAT drives, which now utilize pre-allocation to secure contiguous space during operations, drastically reducing file fragmentation. Additionally, NTFS support has been overhauled with a new driver that delivers superior performance, full read/write capabilities, and expanded feature support for Microsoft-specific file systems.

This version also marks a substantial step in codebase modernization through the removal of legacy components. Approximately 140,000 lines of code associated with outdated hardware and protocols have been trimmed to streamline the kernel. While support code for the i486 platform remains present, compilation options for the M486, M486SX, and ELAN subarchitectures have been retired, signaling a gradual phase-out of these older standards. These cleanup efforts ensure the kernel remains lean and focused on contemporary computing requirements.