CachyOS

CachyOS

The CachyOS logo
Release Status	Maintained
Release Model	Rolling Release
Package Manager	Pacman
Default Desktops	KDE Plasma
Usage Type	Desktop
Architectures	x86_64
Website	cachyos.org

CachyOS is an Arch Linux–based distribution focused on ease of use and performance. It is designed to deliver lightning-fast speeds and stability with a simple graphical installer and multiple desktop environments. The project combines Arch's rolling release model with aggressive compiler and kernel optimisations for modern CPUs.

History

CachyOS was launched in late 2022. It was founded by Peter "ptr1337" Jung and Vladislav "vnepogodin" Nepogodin. The goal is to make Arch Linux more accessible and performance-optimised. The first ISOs were released in 2022. Since then, CachyOS has grown rapidly, releasing monthly snapshots and gaining attention on DistroWatch and other Linux community sites.

Philosophy

CachyOS aims to provide a beginner-friendly user experience without sacrificing the flexibility and power of Arch Linux. It retains compatibility with the AUR while focusing on speed, stability, and ease of use. The distribution targets both desktop users and gamers with specialised kernel features and compiled packages optimised for modern CPUs.

Key Features

Performance-Optimised Kernel

• Multiple kernel variants (`linux-cachyos`) compiled with Clang, LTO, and Propeller optimisations.
• CPU-specific builds: x86-64, x86-64-v3, x86-64-v4, and znver4.
• Low-latency schedulers: BORE, EEVDF, BMQ.
• Support for AMD P-State, kCFI, and other performance patches.

Optimised Package Repositories

• Architecture-specific repos for CPUs supporting advanced instruction sets.
• Core packages are rebuilt using high-performance compiler flags like `-O3`, LTO, and AutoFDO.

Custom Toolchain and Build Infrastructure

• Uses Clang or GCC for builds with profile-guided optimisation (PGO).
• Enables faster execution of compiled binaries on supported hardware.

Gaming and Multimedia

• Custom Proton (`proton-cachyos`) and Wine builds with NTSync and reduced 32-bit overhead.
• Steam Deck and ROG Ally patches built into the kernel.
• Support for DLSS updates via included “DLSS Swapper” utility.
• Out-of-box configuration for gaming performance with schedulers and power profiles.

Additional Utilities

• `pacman-offline` for offline updates.
• Graphical kernel manager and “CachyOS-Settings” GUI.
• Support for Btrfs snapshots with Limine and GRUB bootloaders out of the box.
• Optional Firejail, DNSCrypt, AppArmor hardening.

File Systems

• Btrfs (default)
• XFS
• EXT4
• ZFS

Bootloaders

CachyOS provides several bootloaders to choose:

• Limine (default + Btrfs snapshots enabled)
• systemd-boot (shipped with systemd-boot-manager to generate boot entries)
• GRUB (Btrfs snapshots enabled)
• rEFInd

Choosing Limine or GRUB alongside Btrfs as file system will have Btrfs snapshots enabled by default.

Desktop Environments

CachyOS provides several desktop environments during installation:

• KDE Plasma (default + preconfigured)
• GNOME (preconfigured)
• Xfce (comes with Xfce goodies bundle)
• COSMIC (complete COSMIC stack)
• Budgie
• Cinnamon
• LXDE
• LXQt
• Mate

Out of these options: KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce, and COSMIC are more complete compared to other options here while KDE Plasma is the most polished option out of these due to being the distro's default.

Window Managers

CachyOS also provides several Window Managers to choose

• niri (preconfigured with Noctalia Shell)
• Mangowc (preconfigured with Dank Materia Shell)
• i3 (preconfigured)
• Qtile (preconfigured)
• Wayfire (preconfigured)
• bspwm
• hyprland
• Openbox
• Sway

Out of these options: niri and MangoWC are the most usable out of the box. niri comes preconfigured with Noctalia Shell, while MangoWC comes preconfigured with Dank Material Shell. These come with more complete "pseudo desktop experience" than the other options here.

Installation

The distribution includes both a graphical (Calamares) and CLI installer. Key features:

• Auto-detection of CPU architecture and optimised repos.
• Smooth installation experience designed for newcomers to Arch.
• Manual partitioning is available for intermediate or advanced users.

Performance

According to the developers, CachyOS delivers around a 10% performance improvement over generic Arch on supported hardware. Performance benefits vary depending on workload and CPU architecture. Benchmarks show small but consistent speedups in areas like compile times, game frame rates, and load times.

Hardware Compatibility

CachyOS is tuned for modern hardware, including:

• Full support for AMD RDNA4, Intel Arc, NVIDIA RTX 4000/5000 series.
• Steam Deck and handheld gaming PCs (e.g., ROG Ally).
• Asus Armoury Crate support for fan and power control on gaming laptops.

Comparison to Other Arch-Based Distros

CachyOS shares traits with other Arch derivatives:

• Like EndeavourOS, it offers a friendly installer and maintains upstream Arch packages. However, unlike EndeavourOS, CachyOS uses mkinitcpio (much like Arch Linux) while EndeavourOS uses dracut (which is default for Fedora and some other distros).
• Unlike Manjaro Linux, it does not delay package updates or curate its own repos.
• Similar to Garuda Linux, it emphasises performance but avoids heavy theming.
• Compared to pure Arch, it offers much greater ease of installation and setup.

Community and Development

• CachyOS is developed in the open with code hosted on GitHub.
• Communication channels: Matrix, Telegram, Discord, and forums.
• Rolling release model with frequent updates and detailed changelogs.
• Supported by Patreon donations (patreon.com/CachyOS).

See Also

• Arch Linux
• EndeavourOS
• Garuda Linux
• Manjaro Linux