Linux beats Windows 11 when running on the best CPU from Intel
The latest version of the Linux kernel pushes the open-source OS past Windows 11 when it comes to performance.
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What you need to know
Intel’s 12th Gen Alder Lake chips are some of thebest CPUson the market. It turns out that if you’d like to get the best performance out of the processors, you may want to give Linux a try. Linux recently received an update to version 5.16. According to benchmarks byPhoronix, that update pushes Linux above Windows 11 in several areas.
Phoronix performed 104 benchmark tests on a system with anIntel Core i9-12900Kchip, anASUS ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING Wi-Fi motherboard, and 32GB of DDR5-4400 memory.
The tests compared the performance of several Linux distributions and Windows 11. Since Linux 5.16 improves hybrid handling and other aspects of the operating system, the latest Linux kernel performed much better than Linux 5.15. Those improvements were enough topush Linux past Windows 11in over 85% of benchmarks.
Clear Linux took the top spot in the Selenium test for web browsing. Windows 11 was second from the bottom in that category, only beating out Ubuntu 22.04 Daily.
WhileLinux beat out Windows 11in several tests, Microsoft’s OS still took the crown when it comes to H.264 video encoding. Overall, Windows 11 finished first in 14 out of 104 tests performed by Phoronix. Windows 11, however, also finished last in 39 tests. Clear Linux earned the top spot in 66 tests.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
