Do not look for the Gentoo processor optimization options to land in the main Linux kernel



[ad_1]

OPERATING SYSTEMS -

Gentoo's Linux kernel construction has long offered a variety of processor options, allowing those who build their distribution to optimize their kernel construction based on the processor used. From time to time, the fix is ​​suggested to be mounted upstream of the main Linux kernel before being quickly rejected by upstream maintainers.

This week, the patch for kernel processor options was suggested for maintaining the structure in the Linux kernel. The fix adds additional processor options to the kernel configuration area (Kconfig) to adjust the GCC optimization values ​​for various generations of Intel / AMD processors. It helps to build the kernel from -march = k8-sse3 at -march = cannonlake, among other important generations of Intel / AMD processors over the years.

While the patch is about to adjust the mars / mtune parameters of the kernel build, the Gentoo patch maintainer tests "there are small but real increases in speed to run with this patch."

However, these types of patches never end up being maintained. As was the case this week, it was quickly eliminated by referring to past objections. These objections rest on the belief that the advantage of compiler optimization for the kernel is minimal, on the ability to maintain this code, on the possibility that the compiler optimizes the regressions and that the changes made by the GCC compiler may adversely affect performance.

There has been talk of proposing more generic Kconfig settings for optimization for "modern" Intel / AMD processors rather than a set of generation configuration options, but up to now, such global orders have not been introduced.

[ad_2]

Source link