Linux Kernel 6.17 Released With Better Support for Intel Graphics

Linux kernel version 6.17 was released over the weekend, bringing with it several performance improvements and enhancements to benefit Linux folks. In particular, some cutting-edge GPUs and CPUs are getting support.

This kernel brings with it official stable support for Intel’s Panther Lake microprocessor and its Xe3 integrated graphics. This addition helps put Linux ahead of the game in terms of hardware support, since we’re expecting to see PCs and mobile devices sporting Panther Lake processors (likely to be called Core Ultra Series 300) very soon.

Also on the Intel side of things, Linux kernel 6.17 is enabling SR-IOV support for Intel’s Arc Pro graphics cards. That means Linux fans running those GPUs can expect significant improvements to their experience spinning up virtual machines. Intel is also working toward making multi-GPU support on Linux a reality with this release, though that project isn’t complete yet.

ARM fans aren’t left out with this release either. There’s a noteworthy addition of RP1 PCI patches with kernel 6.17. This allows you to boot the mainline Linux kernel on a Raspberry Pi 5 rather than relying on modified Pi 5-ready kernels. There’s also initial support for NVIDIA’s Tegra T264 “Thor” mobile processor debuting this year, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 ARM processor on ASUS Zenbook A14 laptops is also going to work with this release.

There’s also improved support for Apple Silicon systems. Apple’s System Management Controller (SMC) driver was enabled, which allows MacBooks with M1 and M2 to be shutdown and rebooted with the mainline kernel. That may sound primitive, but it’s a huge boon for mainline Linux development on Apple Silicon, given how many other drivers depend on the SMC’s GPIO support.

There are several more improvements and changes you can find by scanning the kernel diffs, like making SMP support unconditional, the demotion of Intel’s problematic QuickAssist Technology accelerators, and the arrival of an AMD hardware feedback reporting tool. A ton of tiny power management tweaks are here too, meaning Linux should be overall running more efficiently on whatever device you install kernel 3.17.

Speaking of, you’ll be able to use kernel 6.17 on Ubuntu 25.10 when it releases on October 9, 2025. I’m expecting it to arrive any moment on my Arch Linux desktop, which gets updates a lot sooner than point release distros. If you can’t wait for your distro’s maintainers to get it to you, you’re also free to grab the kernel tarballs from Kernel.org.

With kernel 6.17 being released, that means work has already begun on kernel 6.18. The merge window is currently open, and we can expect to see that point release close to the new year.

Source: Phoronix, Linux Kernel Mailing List