6 Best Free Linux Benchmark Tools
A benchmark is the act of running computer programs in order
to assess the performance of computer hardware and software
applications. Hardware benchmarking assesses many different attributes
such as the performance of the processor, memory, graphics card, hard
disk, and the network. There are two different types of benchmarks:
synthetic and application. Synthetic benchmark stress a component,
such as continuously writing and reading data. Application benchmarks
measure the performance of real-world applications, such as databases
and servers.
The use of benchmark software enables system testers and users
to obtain an objective and independent way of assessing the performance
of hardware. By making changes to the system, users can determine
whether there has been an improvement in the performance of that
hardware. The results from benchmark software can help make important
decisions about any necessary changes to the hardware to identify any
bottlenecks in the system. However, it should be borne in mind that
benchmarks are not always precise and can be open to manipulation
by hardware developers who can design hardware to do particularly well
in specific tests which are not replicated generally.
There is a wide range of Linux benchmarking tools that are
released under an open source license. To provide an insight into the
quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 6
proficient benchmarking tools. Hopefully, there will be something here
to help
users fine tune their system and network, and make sensible comparisons.
A particularly useful website for accessing benchmark results
is OpenBenchmarking.org. It provides a collaborative, open test
platform
with a standardized test profile and suite management system for
distributing and standardising benchmarks.
Now, let's explore the 6 benchmark tools at hand.
For each title we have compiled its own portal page, a full description
with an in-depth analysis of its features, a screenshot of the software
in action, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.
| Benchmark Tools |
| Phoronix
Test Suite |
Comprehensive testing and benchmarking platform |
| IOzone |
Filesystem
benchmark tool that measures a wide variety of file operations |
| netperf |
A network performance benchmark |
| LLCbench |
Low
Level Architectural Characterization Benchmark Suite |
| HardInfo |
System Profiler and Benchmark |
| GtkPerf |
GTK+
performance benchmark |
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Last Updated Tuesday, March 26 2013 @ 04:54 PM EST
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