The Linux kernel has introduced the X86_NATIVE_CPU build option, allowing users to optimize their kernel build for their local CPU. Enabling CONFIG_X86_NATIVE_CPU sets the “-march=native” compiler optimizations for the kernel build, ensuring peak performance for the local system. This option is useful for Linux enthusiasts and administrators of HPC clusters with multiple systems using the same CPU family. Benchmarks were conducted using the HP ZBook Ultra G1a laptop with AMD Strix Halo SoC, comparing the kernel build with and without CONFIG_X86_NATIVE_CPU=y. The kernel build configuration was derived from the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA configuration, with GCC 14.2 as the stock compiler of Ubuntu 25.04 used for building enabled/disable kernels. CPU power consumption was also monitored during the comparison.
Linux 6.16’s “X86_NATIVE_CPU” option has been enhanced to improve I/O and certain graphics/gaming workloads.
