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https://github.com/sn99/optimizing-linux
A simple guide for optimizing linux 🐧 in detail
https://github.com/sn99/optimizing-linux
amd boot boot-time btrfs compiling-kernels cpu fedora gpu graphic-card grub2 improving linux linux-desktop linux-kernel optimization patches processor swappiness
Last synced: 4 days ago
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A simple guide for optimizing linux 🐧 in detail
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/sn99/optimizing-linux
- Owner: sn99
- License: apache-2.0
- Created: 2021-01-25T21:38:10.000Z (almost 4 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2024-07-01T07:57:46.000Z (7 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-01-17T20:12:23.106Z (4 days ago)
- Topics: amd, boot, boot-time, btrfs, compiling-kernels, cpu, fedora, gpu, graphic-card, grub2, improving, linux, linux-desktop, linux-kernel, optimization, patches, processor, swappiness
- Homepage: https://sn99.github.io/Optimizing-linux/
- Size: 37.1 KB
- Stars: 204
- Watchers: 10
- Forks: 14
- Open Issues: 2
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE-APACHE
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README
# Optimizing Linux
I am writing this guide to save my progress and let others contribute to increasing linux performance even further;
after
all, many are better than one. You can use all of them or just a few of them. **Read a topic fully before starting**.
I am currently on [Nobara](https://nobaraproject.org/), so some steps may vary from distro to distro.
**NOTE: This guide is not for beginners who are new to Linux** but a few of them can be used safely by them.
## Index
- [Compiling your kernel](#compiling-your-kernel)
- [Applying patches](#applying-patches)
- [Removing your own compiled kernel](#removing-your-own-compiled-kernel)
- [Btrfs filesystem optimizations](#btrfs-filesystem-optimizations)
- [Changing boot parameters](#changing-boot-parameters)
- [Improving boot time](#improving-boot-time)
- [Changing swappiness](#changing-swappiness)
- [Changing scaling_governor to performance](#changing-scaling_governor-to-performance)
- [Improving graphic card performance](#improving-graphic-card-performance)
- [Some other tweaks](#some-other-tweaks)
---------------------------------------------------
## Compiling your kernel
By now, everyone agrees that compiling your kernel is one of the best options to get the fastest possible speed.
You might want to google `How to make custom kernel in ` to get the packages required to compile the kernel.
1. Download the [latest kernel](https://www.kernel.org/) or whatever you like. Extract it; I am going to assume a
generic name from now on `linux-x.x.x`.
2. The next step is finding the `config` file. Most of the time, you can run:
```shell
cp -v /boot/config-$(uname -r) .config
```
From inside `linux-x.x.x`, which should give an output like:
```shell
'/boot/config-y.y.y-generic' -> '.config'
```
if it fails, you can find config in `/proc/config.gz` or simple run `make listnewconfig` OR `make oldconfig`(it
usually starts a long process; try finding your config in your distro source code too).
3. Edit `Makefile` and change `EXTRAVERSION` to add something. For example, "EXTRAVERSION = \".
4. (You might want to see the next subtopic before doing this) Now run `make xconfig`. Now a lot of optimizations are
possible
Here, many dead codes and modules can be removed and enabled. Let's go the safe road for now.
- Now, one of the best things you can do is no longer build for a generic kernel. Select
```markdown
- Processor type and features
- Processor family
- [x] Core2/newer Xeon
```
It should have been `Generic-x86-64` by default.
- There is a lot of other stuff you can do too, but you will have to read them and see which suits
you best. A simple way might be to just copy [clear linux config](https://github.com/clearlinux-pkgs/linux), but
it might disable certain features (see next [Applying patches](#applying-patches)).
5. Now, you might want to run:
```shell
dmesg --level=err
dmesg --level=warn
```
To see if you can enable some extra flags for extra features. For
example, `psmouse serio1: elantech: The touchpad can support a better bus than the old PS/2 protocol. Make sure MOUSE_PS2_ELANTECH_SMBUS and MOUSE_ELAN_I2C_SMBUS are enabled to get a better touchpad experience.`
can be solved by enabling both of them.
6. Finally, compiling the kernel:
```shell
# sed -ri '/CONFIG_SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYS/s/=.+/=""/g' .config
make -j N CFLAGS='-march=native -O3 -flto -pipe' CXXFLAGS='-march=native -O3 -flto -pipe'
make -j N CFLAGS='-march=native -O3 -flto -pipe' CXXFLAGS='-march=native -O3 -flto -pipe' modules
sudo make modules_install
sudo make install
```
Where `N` is the number of `cores` you have, alternatively use `$(getconf _NPROCESSORS_ONLN)`.
If any steps fail, run `make clean` and start again.
7. Making it default in grub (I am using grub2, your process might vary):
```shell
sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
sudo grubby --set-default /boot/vmlinuz-x.x.x-x
```
You can find yours `vmlinuz-x.x.x-x` in `/boot/`
Now restart and run `uname -r` to see your kernel.
### Applying patches
There are several patches that you can use to increase performance or to make life simpler.
There are a lot of patches available, and you will have to find those that suit you best. I will be
using [graysky2](https://github.com/graysky2/kernel_gcc_patch) kernel patch here. Download the
whole [repo](https://github.com/graysky2/kernel_gcc_patch) or just the file you need. In my case, I have GCC 10 and
the latest kernel, so I will be
using [this](https://github.com/graysky2/kernel_gcc_patch/blob/master/enable_additional_cpu_optimizations_for_gcc_v10.1%2B_kernel_v5.8%2B.patch)
.
1. Copy the desired patch file into the root of the extracted linux dictionary; same place as `.config`.
2. `patch -p1 < enable_additional_cpu_optimizations_for_gcc_v10.1+_kernel_v5.8+.patch`
You should see an output like this:
```shell
patching file arch/x86/Kconfig.cpu
patching file arch/x86/Makefile
patching file arch/x86/Makefile_32.cpu
patching file arch/x86/include/asm/vermagic.h
```
3. Now, you can start from step 4 in the previous setup and will see:
```markdown
- Processor type and features
- Processor family
- [x] Native optimizations autodetected by GCC
```
There are other patches such as [scheduling related](https://cchalpha.blogspot.com/) that you can apply to. Again, try
finding your patches that suits your system.
### Removing your own compiled kernel
Try to keep the last working kernel, i.e., have a minimum of two kernels (the one you are using and the previous one).
**NOTE:** Removing the currently running kernel (determined by `uname -r`) will render your system
non-bootable.
1. These entries need to be removed:
```shell
/boot/vmlinuz-x.x.x-x
/boot/initrd-x.x.x-x
/boot/System-map-x.x.x-x
/boot/config-x.x.x-x
/lib/modules/x.x.x-x/
/var/lib/initramfs/x.x.x-x/
/boot/loader/entries/*x.x.x-x
```
2. `sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg` or `sudo update-grub2`
## Btrfs filesystem optimizations
1. `sudo gedit /etc/fstab`, change it to look something like this (this is on fedora, yours might vary):
```shell
UUID= / btrfs subvol=root,x-systemd.device-timeout=0,ssd,noatime,space_cache,commit=120,compress=zstd,discard=async,lazytime 0 0
UUID= /boot ext4 defaults 1 2
UUID= /boot/efi vfat umask=0077,shortname=winnt 0 2
UUID= /home btrfs subvol=home,x-systemd.device-timeout=0,ssd,noatime,space_cache,commit=120,compress=zstd,discard=async,lazytime 0 0
```
> Optional : `nobarrier`
`nobarrier` option is safe as long you didn't expect sudden powerloss happens or has battery-backed.
_On a device with a volatile battery-backed write-back cache, the nobarrier option will not lead to filesystem corruption as the pending blocks are supposed to make it to the permanent storage._ [man 5 btrfs](https://btrfs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/btrfs-man5.html)
2. `sudo systemctl daemon-reload`
3. `sudo systemctl enable fstrim.timer`
## Changing boot parameters
**Important:** I usually like disabling `mitigations`, but then again, I am on `AMD` based CPU and do not
have `Meltdown`
only `Spectre`, I do not run an unknown script, and even if I have to, I use containers and firefox with `noscript` and
a
few other security add-ons. Nonetheless, if you understand the security concerns, you can disable it and see a
substantial
boost in performance.
1. `sudo grubby --args "mitigations=off nowatchdog processor.ignore_ppc=1 amdgpu.ppfeaturemask=0xffffffff ec_sys.write_support=1 split_lock_detect=off" --update-kernel=ALL`
OR
1. `sudo gedit /etc/default/grub`
2. You will find a line `GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=" ... rhgb quiet` change it to (`...` signifies other parameters):
```shell
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="... rhgb quiet mitigations=off nowatchdog processor.ignore_ppc=1 split_lock_detect=off"
```
3. Also, edit `GRUB_TIMEOUT=5` to `GRUB_TIMEOUT=1.`
4. `sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /etc/grub2-efi.cfg`
OR
`sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /etc/grub2.cfg`
After rebooting, you can run `cat /proc/cmdline` to see your boot options.
## Improving boot time
Our last tweak kinda improved it, but let's try something more.
1. Remove startup applications; I use `gnome-tweaks` for a GUI-like experience.
2. Run the following to find what service is taking the longest:
```shell
systemd-analyze
systemd-analyze blame
systemd-analyze critical-chain
```
These might vary from system to system and distro to distro; in my case(fedora), I disabled `dnf-makecache.service.`
which took around `32s`. To do so:
```shell
sudo systemctl disable NetworkManager-wait-online.service
sudo systemctl disable dnf-makecache.service
sudo systemctl disable dnf-makecache.timer
sudo gsettings set org.gnome.software download-updates false
```
You might want to google every service that you think about disabling and what it does; in my case, it just updates
dnf
cache, which I usually like to do manually.
## Changing swappiness
If you have 8GB or more ram, you might benefit from it; otherwise, leave it as it is.
1. To see current swappiness, enter `cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness`; it should print `60`; we want to make it 10.
2. `sudo gedit /etc/sysctl.conf`
3. Enter `vm.swappiness=10` and reboot; now step 1 should print 10.
## Changing `scaling_governor` to `performance`
Do not change it to `performance` on Ryzen based CPUs as it **_might_**(I seem to get better performance on AC, but then
again, `performance` does not seem to allow turbo boost in some cases) hurt their performance, using `ondemand`.
or `schedutil` is better (more leaning towards `schedutil` as soon as it
gets [fixed](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=linux511-amd-patch&num=1)).
1. Run `cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor` to see your current governor.
2. `echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor`
This setting most likely will not persist during the next boot; I like to change it manually rather than making a
systemd service (I am a laptop, and it gets hot). You might want to google how to make it persistent for your distro
if
you like OR:
```shell
echo 'GOVERNOR="performance"' | sudo tee /etc/default/cpufrequtils
sudo systemctl disable schedutil
```
The default is `schedutil`; you can see
others [here](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/v4.14/admin-guide/pm/cpufreq.html).
**Note**: You can also change the default during the kernel compilation.
## Improving graphic card performance
You can find overclocking tools specific to your GPU(s), but to make sure your graphics card isn’t being suppressed by
the OS (especially AMD):
1. Checking whether it is `auto`:
```shell
cat /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
cat /sys/class/drm/card1/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
```
2. Check the parameters of GPU by:
```shell
sudo cat /sys/kernel/debug/dri/0/amdgpu_pm_info
sudo cat /sys/kernel/debug/dri/1/amdgpu_pm_info
```
3. Now set everything to high:
```shell
sudo su
echo high > /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
echo high > /sys/class/drm/card1/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
```
You can change them back to `auto` if your system overheats.
## Some other tweaks
- [ArchWiki/Improving performance](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Improving_performance)
- Disabling `Cool'n'Quiet` or `speedstep` or `PowerNow!` from bios (will cause heat up on laptops, only enable it during
gaming)
- Check other bios features, too; they vary from system to system but should have a significant boost in performance
- Using `X` instead of `Wayland` (may vary game to game)
- Using `Opengl` backend in games instead of `Vulkun` (may vary game to game)
---------------------------------------------------
## Contributing
Feel free to open an [issue](https://github.com/sn99/Optimizing-linux/issues/new)
or [editing the README](https://github.com/sn99/Optimizing-linux/edit/master/README.md) yourself.
---------------------------------------------------
## License
Licensed under either of these:
* Apache License, Version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
* MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)