The Past 12 Linux Kernels Benchmarked

While the Linux kernel continues adding great new features from virtualization to new device drivers and other innovations, from these real-world benchmarks used the performance was virtually level with all of the kernels tested from Linux 2.6.12 to the latest testing 2.6.24-rc1 release. The only benchmark where there was a definitive improvement was with the network performance. Granted, these 12 Linux kernels were only tested on one system and in eight different benchmarks. We will continue benchmarking the Linux kernel in different environments and report back once we have any new findings.

You may discuss these findings in the Phoronix Forums.