Linux 6.11 Gets “sched_ext”: A Game-Changer for Performance and Flexibility?

The biggest obstacle to gaming on Linux is the adaptation issue from game developers, as many games are only available for Windows and not for Linux. However, the games themselves can run perfectly fine on Linux; the low market share of Linux users discourages developers from creating Linux versions.

Despite this, Linus Torvalds has decided to take action by merging the extensible scheduler, sched_ext, into Linux Kernel version 6.11. The code for this scheduler has proven to be highly flexible and can enhance Linux gaming performance. Of course, integrating sched_ext has encountered some resistance. Linus Torvalds mentioned the plan to merge sched_ext during private discussions at the 2023 Kernel Maintainers Summit, where some kernel developers voiced opposition.

Nevertheless, Linus Torvalds now believes that continuing to discuss the same issue at KS 2024 is unnecessary. The sched_ext code is already sufficiently robust and can offer genuine value to the mainstream Linux kernel, making further delays unwarranted.

According to the kernel release schedule, the merge window for Linux Kernel version 6.11 will close in mid-July. Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should see the new kernel version containing sched_ext by mid-July.

By then, Linux distribution developers, particularly those with a significant desktop market share like Canonical, should promptly adapt. Subsequently, we can look forward to performance benchmarks for Linux-supported games, allowing us to gauge the extent of the performance improvements brought by this integration.