Existing users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS are set to receive an updated hardware enablement (HWE) stack this month, ahead of the anticipated release of Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS scheduled for next month. Canonical regularly backports newer Linux kernels and graphics drivers from interim releases to its long-term support versions, maintaining the relevance and performance of older systems.
This latest update for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS incorporates key components from the Ubuntu 25.04 interim release, launched earlier this year. Specifically, the HWE stack will feature the gaming-optimized Linux 6.14 kernel and the Mesa 25.0.x series graphics drivers, representing a significant upgrade over the prior 24.2.x series drivers provided in the last HWE update.
The new graphics stack also includes several important enhancements, such as new DirectX headers, updated SPIR-V headers and tools, and improved support for Wayland protocols, ensuring compatibility with modern graphics applications. Users of older AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA GPUs will also benefit from an updated mesa-amber package, which continues to support legacy graphics cards while providing essential bug fixes.
Mesa 25.0.7, included in the HWE update, boasts substantial improvements for gaming and hardware compatibility. It introduces support for the Vulkan 1.4 API, initial support for RDNA4 GPUs, and AV1 video decoding capability in the ANV Vulkan driver, among numerous other refinements and fixes for various titles including Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Hogwarts Legacy.
While the official release date for Ubuntu 24.04.3 is set for August 7, 2025, users will not have to wait that long for the HWE updates. The Mesa and Linux kernel enhancements are currently in the testing phase within the noble-proposed repository and will be rolled out to all users once testing concludes, likely within the next few weeks. This means users can look forward to an enhanced experience in their Ubuntu 24.04 LTS environments very soon.