In a recent head-to-head comparison, Ubuntu, the popular Linux operating system, demonstrated its prowess by outperforming Windows 11 on AMD’s new Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX processor. The test, conducted by Phoronix, revealed that Ubuntu delivered a staggering 20% higher performance compared to its Microsoft counterpart.
Phoronix conducted the test using an HP Z6 G5 workstation equipped with the powerful Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX processor, 128GB of DDR5-5200 Hynix RDIMMs, a Samsung NVMe SSD, and a GeForce RTX A4000 graphics card. While Windows 11 Pro version 23H2 was used for the Windows tests, Ubuntu 23.10 was the Linux distribution of choice for the experiment.
Various CPU-intensive tasks were performed to evaluate the performance of the Threadripper chip. These tasks included LuxCore, Intel Embree, OSPRay, Geekbench, Blender, and video encoding, among others. On average, Linux outperformed Windows 11 Pro by an impressive 19.5%.
Although Windows 11 Pro managed to outshine Ubuntu in some individual benchmarks, such as Kvazaar, LuxCoreRender 2.6, and Geekbench 5, where it showcased a 3.2% to 14% faster performance, Ubuntu dominated in the majority of the benchmarks.
Ubuntu’s exceptional performance was particularly evident in ASTC, asmFish, CPU encoding with AV1, OSPRay, LuxCoreRender 2.6 (Rainbow Colors and Prism scene), and the DaCapo benchmark, where it demonstrated double or more the speed compared to Windows.
Linux’s dominance over Windows when it comes to high-core count CPUs like AMD’s 96-core Threadripper is not surprising. Linux distributions have long been favored for their efficient handling of high-core count chips, thanks to the behavior disparities between Windows and Linux CPU schedulers. While Windows excels with lower-core count consumer CPUs, Linux’s strengths lie in the enterprise realm, where high-core count chips are prevalent.
It is worth noting that Windows has improved significantly in its ability to handle AMD’s high-core count CPU architectures over the years. However, Linux continues to excel, as demonstrated by this test. For users planning to utilize heavily multi-threaded high-performance computing (HPC) applications on a Threadripper workstation, the performance advantages offered by Linux make it a compelling choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a widely used Linux-based operating system known for its simplicity, stability, and community-driven development. It offers an alternative to proprietary operating systems like Windows and macOS.
2. How does Ubuntu compare to Windows 11 in terms of performance?
According to a recent test conducted by Phoronix, Ubuntu outperformed Windows 11 by 20% on AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7995WX processor. While Windows showed superiority in a few individual benchmarks, Ubuntu consistently delivered better performance overall.
3. Why does Linux perform better on high-core count CPUs?
Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, are favored for their efficient handling of high-core count CPUs due to differences in behavior between the Windows and Linux CPU schedulers. Linux operating systems are widely used in enterprise environments where high-core count chips are commonplace.
4. Should I consider switching to Linux for better performance on high-core count CPUs?
If you primarily use heavily multi-threaded high-performance computing (HPC) applications and plan to utilize a Threadripper workstation, switching to Linux, such as Ubuntu, can offer significant performance improvements. However, it is essential to consider other factors, such as software compatibility and personal preferences, before making a decision.