CachyOS/linux-cachyos
Linux Cachyos
linux-cachyos is a performance-tuned Arch Linux kernel distribution that combines advanced compiler optimizations with multiple CPU scheduler options to enhance system responsiveness and throughput. The project provides kernel variants supporting BORE, EEVDF, and BMQ schedulers, enabling users to match scheduling behavior to interactive, general-purpose, or throughput-oriented workloads, alongside real-time preemption capabilities for time-sensitive applications.
The kernel is compiled using Clang with Thin Link-Time Optimization and incorporates AutoFDO profile-guided optimization, which uses hardware sampling data to generate faster code paths based on real execution patterns. It includes support for the sched-ext framework, allowing CPU scheduling decisions to be delegated to user-space programs for custom scheduling policies, and provides a cgroup-based GPU memory controller for managing device VRAM usage in multi-tenant or containerized environments.
The project offers specialized kernel variants for gaming hardware, including patches for handheld devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, as well as kernels with built-in ZFS modules and upstream NTFS driver fixes for improved filesystem reliability. Documentation covers installation procedures, system readiness verification, and troubleshooting guidance for deploying these optimized kernels on Arch Linux systems.
Features
- Performance-Tuned Kernel Distributions - Ships a performance-tuned Arch Linux kernel distribution with advanced compiler optimizations and multiple CPU schedulers.
- Handheld Gaming Kernel Patches - Provides kernel patches specifically for Steam Deck and ROG Ally hardware compatibility and gaming performance.
- Multi-Scheduler Selection - Offers BORE, EEVDF, and BMQ schedulers for matching scheduling behavior to interactive or throughput-oriented workloads.
- CPU Schedulers - Provides a custom BORE scheduler that prioritizes interactive tasks to reduce input lag.
- BORE EEVDF BMQ Variants - Provides kernel variants with multiple CPU scheduler options for workload-specific optimization.
- Real-Time Kernel Variants - Provides kernel variants with real-time preemption patches for deterministic, low-latency task scheduling.
- System Performance Optimization - Applies advanced compiler optimizations and multiple CPU schedulers to enhance system responsiveness and throughput.
- NTFS & ZFS Patches - Provides built-in ZFS modules and upstream NTFS driver fixes for improved filesystem reliability.
- Real-Time Performance Profilers - Provides a kernel variant with real-time preemption and the BORE scheduler for time-sensitive applications.
- Userspace Scheduling Frameworks - Supports the sched-ext framework for custom CPU scheduling logic defined entirely in userspace.
- Handheld Hardware Support - Applies kernel patches for Steam Deck and ROG Ally hardware compatibility.
- Profile-Guided Kernel Compilations - Compiles the kernel using Clang Thin LTO and AutoFDO/Propeller profiling to generate more efficient machine code.
- PREEMPT_RT Patches - Provides a kernel variant with PREEMPT_RT patches for deterministic low-latency task scheduling.
- GPU Memory Cgroup Controllers - Implements per-cgroup GPU VRAM limits with hard caps and proportional sharing via the DRM subsystem.
