CachyOS September 2024 Release: Performance Gains and Enhanced Features
CachyOS, an Arch-based Linux distribution focused on KDE Plasma, has released its September 2024 ISO update. This release introduces a slew of performance optimizations, starting with a 10% boost for LLVM and Clang compilers and a 1.5% improvement for GCC. These improvements are driven by Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) for packages like svt-av1, nodejs, and ripgrep. The team has also integrated cherry-picked patches from Clear Linux for further performance tuning.
For NVIDIA users, the updated cachyos-kde-settings now enables Wayland by default for supported GPUs via the SDDM login manager, improving refresh rates and display configuration for Wayland sessions.
Improved Package Handling and Networking
The cachyos-settings package received several enhancements, including better NetworkManager handling by switching to systemd-resolved. This resolves previous issues, particularly with Steam downloads and NTP synchronization via systemd-timesyncd, offering improved accuracy with user-reported timeservers.
Additionally, Calamares, the distribution’s graphical installer, now correctly unmounts the root file system after installation, while repository sync intervals have been reduced from three hours to one, ensuring users receive updates faster.
Noteworthy Technical Changes
As part of the performance upgrade, CachyOS has started automatically applying the -fno-semantic-interposition flag to -fpic compiled packages, offering significant gains for many shared packages. The team is also replacing zlib with the modern zlib-ng, which promises faster performance using more advanced techniques.
Rolling Release Model
CachyOS follows a rolling-release model, so users only need to update their systems using sudo pacman -Syu to receive the latest improvements. For new installations, Desktop (KDE Plasma) and Handheld editions are available, supporting devices like Rog Ally, Steam Deck, and Legion GO.
This September release continues to strengthen CachyOS’s reputation for performance-focused improvements, making it a strong contender in the Linux landscape.
Click below and ‘share’ this article!