Ubuntu 25.10 Takes a Bold Leap — Targets Modern CPUs with New amd64v3 Architecture

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TL;DR

Ubuntu 25.10 introduces support for amd64v3 architecture variants, enhancing performance by targeting specific silicon variants, with full support expected in the 26.04 LTS release.

Key Points

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Ubuntu 25.10 introduces support for the amd64v3 architecture variant, allowing packages to be optimized for specific silicon variants.

Significant updates have been made to the package management infrastructure, including dpkg, apt, and Launchpad, to support multiple package versions.

Benchmarks indicate that most packages show a slight performance improvement of around 1% with the amd64v3 architecture.

There are concerns about testing and stability, as most packages have not undergone extensive testing, and installing amd64v3 packages may affect compatibility with older machines.

The general sentiment towards Ubuntu 25.10's support for amd64v3 is cautiously optimistic, with full support anticipated in the 26.04 LTS release.

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Canonical Software Company

Responsible for the development and release of Ubuntu versions, including the implementation of architecture variants like amd64v3.

Timeline of Events

Timeline of key events and milestones.

2003 Introduction of x86-64-v1 architecture

The baseline 64-bit AMD64 architecture was introduced, forming the foundation for future x86-64 versions.

2008 x86-64-v2 enhancements

Instruction sets like SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, and POPCNT were added, improving general and multimedia performance.

2013 x86-64-v3 introduced

New instructions such as AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, FMA, and MOVBE were introduced to boost compute-heavy and parallel workloads.

2017 x86-64-v4 introduced

The x86-64-v4 level brought AVX-512 and related extensions for high-performance computing and AI workloads.

2023 Introduction of architecture variants in Ubuntu 25.10

Ubuntu 25.10 introduced architecture variants supporting amd64v3 for performance improvements.

2023 Support for multiple package versions

Infrastructure components like dpkg, apt, and Launchpad began supporting multiple package versions for x86-64.

2023 Optimization for x86-64 architecture levels

Packages were built for different levels like x86-64-v3 to optimize performance.

2023 User opt-in for amd64v3 packages

Users were given the option to try amd64v3 packages for potential performance gains.

2023 Machine compatibility requirement for amd64v3

The use of amd64v3 packages was dependent on machine compatibility with x86-64-v3.

2023 Performance improvements with amd64v3 packages

Amd64v3 packages were associated with slight performance improvements in numerical applications.

2024 Planned full support for amd64v3 in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS plans to offer full support and testing for amd64v3 packages.

Ubuntu 25.10 is stirring the pot with its latest move: introducing architecture variants that specifically target the amd64v3 architecture (also known as x86-64-v3). This isn't a minor tweak; it's a strategic shift aimed at letting packages hone in on specific silicon variants for a performance boost, all while keeping compatibility in check. It's a significant change, involving some pretty hefty updates to dpkg, apt, and Launchpad. These updates pave the way for multiple package versions tailored to different x86-64 architecture levels. Now, while most packages have been rebuilt for amd64v3, they haven't exactly been put through rigorous testing yet. Users can opt-in to try these packages out, with full support expected to roll out in the 26.04 LTS release.

The idea behind these architecture variants is to squeeze the most out of modern processors without leaving older hardware behind. Think of it as a “performance tier” within the same architecture family. It doesn’t change how software runs, but it defines a minimum CPU capability level — so software compiled for amd64v3 can assume certain modern CPU features are always present.

Most cloud instances and machines made in the last decade should be compatible with x86-64-v3. If you're curious about your machine's compatibility, you can check it out and enable amd64v3 packages by updating dpkg and tweaking apt. But, there's a catch — installing these packages might mean you can't just move your hard drive to an older machine that doesn't support x86-64-v3. The upcoming 26.04 LTS release is set to address this issue and offer a way to recover systems in such scenarios.

For those eager to jump on the bandwagon, you might notice a bit of a performance bump, especially in packages that are heavy on the number crunching. It's a step forward, but like any new tech, it's got its quirks. So, while the early adopters might enjoy some gains, it's a good idea to keep an eye on how things develop as more testing and support come into play.