which kernel and how

[houndhen]

This is my desktop:
Operating System: MX Linux 23
KDE Plasma Version: 5.27.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.103.0
Qt Version: 5.15.8
Kernel Version: 6.1.0-27-amd64 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: X11
Processors: 8 × Intel® Core™ i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Memory: 31.3 GiB of RAM
Graphics Processor: Mesa Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Manufacturer: Dell

Should I install a newer kernel? If so, how do I know which one to install?

Thanks,

[CatManDan]

At the first glance, I'd say, the standard kernel should do, also as 6.1 is a LTS kernel and still maintained by the Linux kernel team, and, thus, would also get security updates by MX.

Performance wise, I would not expect any improvements, given the age of the CPU, as 6.1 should already have an optimized hardware support for that.

You only would consider upgrading if you'd missing some hardware which is supported by a later kernel version.

[Kermit the Frog]

... Should I install a newer kernel?..

"If it ain't broken ... " :)

6.1 (only that one, unless one installs the auto-update package for Liquorix kernels) will be auto-updated (dot releases).

[DukeComposed]

... Should I install a newer kernel?..

"If it ain't broken ... " :)

+1. OP has not provided any indication that the current kernel is causing problems. I could understand switching to a different kernel to work around a hardware problem or a driver issue, but there's not much point in changing to a different kernel on a normal, functional, machine. Unless that's the sort of thing you do for fun.

[j2mcgreg]

@houndhen
Per forum rules, with any help request, you need to post the output from the QSI utility. The Quick System Info (QSI) utility is located in MX Tools and its output is automatically formatted for use here in the forum. Run the QSI utility, click “Copy for Forum” at the bottom and then just paste it here in your thread.

[siamhie]

Kernel Version: 6.1.0-27-amd64 (64-bit)
Processors: 8 × Intel® Core™ i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz


Should I install a newer kernel? If so, how do I know which one to install?

Your processor came out almost 10 years ago, stick with Debian's 6.1 kernel which will get security updates.
Upgrading to a newer kernel (on your system--I don't see the Quick System Information) could break devices
like WiFi which may get their modules removed from the newer kernels.

[houndhen]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.