Update kernel will help you to fix security holes, imrpove stabilty, update drivers, new kernel functions, and increase speed.
To find out the version of your kernel
# uname -r
or
# cat /proc/version_signature
or
use gnome-system-monitor in gui, look for the system monitor in the menu and look in the first tab System.
The newest kernel by the time i’m writing this is 3.10.4
To download newest kernel for ubuntu, or linux mint. Please visit here http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/
For x32
Download the packages:
$ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb $ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb $ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb
Install Kernel 3.10.4:
# dpkg -i *.deb # update-grub
For x86-64
Download the packages:
$ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb $ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb $ wget -c kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb
Install Kernel 3.10.4:
# dpkg -i *.deb # update-grub # reboot
After your system rebooted, check your kernel version again.
# uname -a