Early Linux 7.3 Kernel Benchmarks Show Some Performance Improvements, Some Regressions
Being halfway through the Linux 7.3 kernel merge window and prior to wrapping up and sending back the HP Z4 G6i workstation powered by the Xeon 678X Granite Rapids WS processor, I decided to run some benchmarks to see how Linux 7.3 Git is performing relative to the prior stable kernel series. Here are the first benchmarks of this early state of Linux 7.3 with some performance improvements as well…
As the Linux 7.3 kernel merge window progresses, benchmarks have been conducted on an HP Z4 G6i workstation equipped with the Xeon 678X Granite Rapids WS processor. Comparing Linux 7.3 Git to previous stable kernel series, some performance improvements and regressions were observed. The workstation, powered by a 48-core / 96-thread Intel Xeon 678X GNR-WS processor and running Ubuntu 26.10, tested the Linux 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 Git kernels side by side.
The Nouveau driver was utilized for the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell graphics card, ensuring favorable results. The same standard kernel configuration was maintained throughout the testing, with Kconfig defaults followed in each successive kernel release. All kernels were built from source using identical compilers, excluding recent Ubuntu Kernel PPA builds due to their unreliability.
Over a dozen workloads were assessed to determine the kernel performance differences, with all hardware and software factors kept constant. HP provided the Z4 G6i workstation for these Linux benchmarking tests.
Written by urgent.news from Phoronix's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
