Linux 7.2-rc1 Released, Integrating AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL and Cache Aware Scheduling

The initial release candidate for the Linux 7.2 kernel, version 7.2-rc1, has been officially unveiled. According to Phoronix, the two-week merge window has closed, bringing in numerous new features. Approximately eight weeks of testing will follow before the stable release, which is expected to be adopted by upcoming distributions such as Fedora 45 and Ubuntu 26.10.

Linus Torvalds’ Comments

Linus Torvalds announced the release of 7.2-rc1 with the remark, “The merge window is closed. This time, it’s a relatively normal release (knock wood).” He attached a brief merge log and explained that there were too many changes to list individually.

Regarding the statistics, Torvalds noted, “With AMD’s header drop, about one-third of the patches focus on GPU register definitions. This isn’t unusual. If you ignore that portion, just over half consists of driver updates, with the remainder being architecture updates, tools, documentation, and core kernel improvements.”

Overview of Key Features

Linux 7.2 integrates an array of major features. Cache Aware Scheduling (CAS) enables task scheduling that considers cache locality. As previously reported in Linux Cache Aware Scheduling Extension Boosts MySQL by Up to 360%, significant performance improvements have been observed in database processing.

Intel has introduced USB4 streaming functionality, USB4STREAM, which enhances isochronous transfers over USB4 connections.

In AMD-related updates, initial support for AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL (Fixed Rate Link) has been added. FRL mode in HDMI 2.1 is essential for high refresh rates and high-resolution output. Additionally, support for AMD ISP4 (Image Signal Processor) drivers and CAS (Content Adaptive Scaling) has been newly incorporated.

Regarding NTFS drivers, the new driver introduced in Linux 7.1 by Paragon Software has received updates and fixes.

Complete Removal of strncpy API

Years of effort have culminated in the complete removal of the strncpy function from the kernel. This API was considered risky due to its tendency to cause buffer overflows. The replacement process with safer alternatives like strscpy has been ongoing for six years. Its removal marks a significant milestone in enhancing kernel security.

ARCTIC Fan Controller Driver

A new driver has been added for ARCTIC fan controllers, provided by the cooling equipment manufacturer ARCTIC. This allows detailed system cooling control at the OS level.

Code Scale and Statistics

Linux 7.2’s codebase exceeds 43 million lines, with “AMD register definition chunks” accounting for approximately one-third of the total, as is typical. However, extensive changes have been made in areas beyond GPU drivers, including architecture-specific optimizations and core kernel improvements.

Upcoming Testing Schedule

After roughly eight weeks of testing, the stable version of Linux 7.2 is expected to be released. It is projected to be included in Fedora 45 and Ubuntu 26.10. Phoronix’s Michael Larabel has stated that benchmark testing will continue.

Detailed information on the integrated features will be covered in Larabel’s comprehensive feature overview article, to be published later.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, the eight-week testing period for Linux 7.2 is expected to focus on validating the performance of Cache Aware Scheduling. If significant improvements in database workloads like MySQL and PostgreSQL are confirmed, it could influence Linux adoption in enterprise environments. Additionally, AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL support is a long-awaited feature for Radeon users, with stability confirmation during the testing phase being crucial.

From a long-term perspective, the removal of the strncpy API represents a symbolic milestone in enhancing kernel security. The completion of this meticulous code replacement effort over the past six years could inspire other open-source projects to adopt safer APIs. The widespread adoption of USB4STREAM has the potential to accelerate Linux support for USB4 audio interfaces and video capture devices.

However, it should be noted that AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL support is still in its initial stages and not yet fully implemented.

References

• Phoronix: Linux 7.2-rc1 Released: “Things Look Reasonably Normal” While Landing AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL, AMD ISP4 & CAS — Published on June 28, 2026