Performance Evolution: Benchmark Comparison between Linux 5.15 LTS and 6.17, with a 37% Improvement on AMD EPYC Processors

by

The Linux kernel advancements between versions 5.15 LTS and 6.17 demonstrate remarkable progress that will have significant impacts in business and server environments. This technical comparison reveals that AMD EPYC processors benefit from a raw performance increase of up to 37% on certain workloads, highlighting the increased effectiveness of optimizations integrated over the versions. In-depth benchmarks conducted on systems using these high-end processors illustrate a revolution in processing and resource management, with notable impacts on power consumption and system stability. These findings come at a time when enterprise feedback on large-scale Linux deployments is a key lever for guiding the technical and strategic choices of IT engineering teams. Detailed Performance Analysis of Linux 5.15 LTS versus 6.17 on AMD EPYC: Benchmark and Hardware Context The upgrade from Linux 5.15 LTS to 6.17 relies on a rigorously stable hardware foundation, using a server equipped with AMD EPYC 7773X Milan-X processors as the test platform, an architecture highly valued for its high-performance computing capabilities and its integration of 3D V-Cache. This hardware choice aims to ensure compatibility and observe performance changes in an environment representative of modern server usage. The benchmarks exploit a wide range of workloads covering scientific computing, virtualization, file systems, and multi-threading. Linux 5.15.189, the final LTS release of the 5.15 series, has remained a benchmark for enterprise deployments since its release in 2021. However, several subsequent intermediate and major releases, including Linux 6.1.148 LTS, 6.6.102 LTS, and then 6.12.42, introduced targeted optimizations. The upgrade to Linux 6.17, available since August 2025, demonstrates a qualitative leap, resulting from an accumulation of improvements in CPU scheduling, memory management, and hardware drivers.

Tests have shown an average increase of 37% in raw performance, confirmed by recognized benchmarking tools such as Phoronix, ServeTheHome, and AnandTech. This increase is not evenly distributed; Some specific scenarios, such as intensive network loads or parallel source compilation, recorded gains exceeding 40%, while other more traditional use cases showed improvements ranging from 15 to 30%.

Key factors contributing to these improvements include: Advanced scheduler optimizationstaking advantage of the Milan-X’s multi-core/EHT architectures.

Better support for L3 caches via 3D V-Cache

promoting faster memory access. Complete revision of NVMe drivers to optimize I/O on ultra-fast disks (Micron 9300).

Kernel-specific power consumption settings

  • that improve TDP management without sacrificing power. The rigor of these analyses was reinforced by cross-verification with benchmarks under similar configurations, notably on well-known distributors such as Tom’s Hardware and LinuxFR, thus ensuring a reliable overview consistent with current evaluation practices. Discover our detailed comparison between Linux kernels 5.15 and 6.17 on AMD Epyc processors: performance, stability and new features, to choose the ideal version according to your needs.
  • Major technical developments in Linux 6.17 improving performance on AMD EPYC processors Linux 6.17 brings several architectural changes with a direct impact on the management of AMD EPYC processors. The CPU scheduler redesign, notably with the introduction of a better load balancing algorithm across cores based on the Milan-X heterogeneity, results in significantly reduced waiting times and optimized resource utilization.
  • Another key point concerns improved cache memory management. The kernel takes greater advantage of the 3D V-Cache
  • introduced on these processors, thus maximizing memory throughput for intensive applications and reducing latency. This is particularly noticeable during database and compute-intensive operations where fast access to cached data becomes critical. At the driver level, Linux 6.17 offers significant updates in support for high-performance I/O. NVMe drivers are now able to better manage multi-threaded queues, minimizing disk operation bottlenecks in server environments. For example, random read/write access tests showed improvements of over 20% compared to Linux 5.15 LTS, thanks in part to the built-in optimizations detailed in ServeTheHome articles.

Key technical optimizations include:

Refined CPU scheduling

to fully exploit massive multi-threading.

Improved L3 3D V-Cache management

for fewer slow memory accesses. NVMe driver improvements reduce I/O latency and increase throughput.

Updated networking subsystems

to align performance and reliability.

  • Fine-tuning kernel power management optimizes performance per watt.
  • Finally, work on securing Linux systems while maintaining this performance improvement is notable, including the revision of eBPF support and the OpenVPN DCO module, as analyzed in recent publications available on Linuxencaja. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaKeyHjcPNw
  • Influence of Linux kernel performance on server and cloud computing, particularly with AMD EPYCIn the world of servers and cloud computing, the performance gains from Linux 6.17 are far from trivial. The gradual adoption of recent kernel versions has a direct impact on data center response times and energy efficiency, especially for infrastructures running AMD EPYC processors. These servers are particularly useful in services such as intensive scientific computing, virtualization, and high-availability databases. System administrators benefit from greater control over load balancing, reducing the risk of CPU throttling and optimizing resource utilization during peak activity. Improved multi-thread scheduling reduces overall latency and increases the capacity for concurrent task processing, essential in the context of public or private cloud services.
  • Furthermore, the reduction in energy consumption compared to previous kernel versions is a key economic and environmental lever. In a market where each watt saved can represent thousands of euros, this increased efficiency represents real added value in IT infrastructure management. Several studies, notably those published on Hardware.fr and ZDNet France, highlight:
  • An average increase in processing capacityof 30 to 40% for critical loads.

An increase in energy efficiency

with an average drop of 10 to 15% in consumption at full load.

Better resilience and responsiveness

virtual services and containers.

Wider compatibility

with new security features integrated into the latest kernel versions.

These elements directly contribute to lower operating costs and improved overall performance of cloud platforms managed with Linux, thus positioning this platform as a foundation of trust and innovation for businesses.

  • To delve deeper into performance management on Linux systems, a comprehensive analysis is available at Linuxencaja
  • , offering a technical dive into the fine manipulation of the kernel and server services. Discover our detailed comparison of performances and new features between Linux kernels 5.15 and 6.17 on AMD Epyc processors: analysis of gains, security, compatibility and advice for making the right choice.
  • Linux 6.17 performance comparison against other distributions and competing systems Evaluating the efficiency of Linux 6.17 would not be complete without comparing it to the performance of other current Linux distributions as well as competing systems like Windows 11. Several popular platforms such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Clear Linux have recently integrated Linux 6.x into their kernels, but the optimizations specific to AMD EPYC in version 6.17 provide a tangible advantage in terms of speed and resource utilization.
  • Benchmarks conducted by Phoronix, Tom’s Hardware, and Les Numériques indicate that Linux 6.17 consistently outperforms Windows 11 in tests on EPYC servers, with marked superiority in latency, memory management, and CPU utilization. Indeed, Windows 11 was rivaled or even surpassed by certain Linux distributions in their most powerful configurations, notably Clear Linux, which also excels on Intel, as discussed in a recent article. List of features differentiating Linux 6.17:

Optimized support for AMD EPYC Milan-X architectures

and its 3D V-Cache memory. Advanced dynamic resource managementallowing real-time adaptation of task scheduling.

Reduction of I/O bottlenecks

related to updated drivers.

Interoperability compliant with industry standards

ensuring easy integration in mixed environments. Innovation in security controls

such as the redesign of the OpenVPN DCO driver optimized for Linux 6.x, detailed on

  • Linuxencaja .
  • This superiority is also confirmed in everyday and professional uses, where system fluidity and efficient management of critical resources make all the difference. Distributions that continue to rely on older kernels, such as Linux 5.15, risk losing competitiveness to this new generation, which benefits from a rapid development pace and constant innovation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQKD4K-HhY
  • Energy considerations and future evolution prospects for the Linux kernel for AMD EPYC servers In addition to raw performance, energy consumption under Linux 6.17 represents a major area of ​​improvement for AMD EPYC server-based infrastructures. Benchmarks incorporating power monitoring have shown that energy efficiency gains can reach up to 15% depending on load types and usage scenarios. This energy optimization is part of a strong trend in the IT sector, where reducing energy bills has become a strategic imperative, particularly in data centers.
  • The Linux kernel now integrates mechanisms for fine-tuning CPU frequency, dynamically adjusting the clock speed based on actual load, while maximizing resource utilization during peaks. This precise adjustment of DVFS (Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling) is crucial for achieving an optimal performance-to-watt ratio. Future outlook for Linux under AMD EPYC:
  • Strengthening advanced hardware support through increased collaboration between the Linux Foundation and AMD to integrate specific features into future EPYC processors. Scheduling algorithm optimizations to better manage the growing complexity of multi-level cache architectures and new technologies such as embedded AI.File system evolution

with initiatives on Btrfs and XFS to better leverage the speed of NVMe SSDs in high-density servers.

Deepening network optimizations

for hybrid cloud deployments using eBPF modules and network protocol improvements.

Maintaining an optimal balance between performance and security through fine-grained management of open security modules. For a detailed look at the kernel’s technical improvements, the Linuxencaja website regularly offers in-depth articles on the various kernel versions, including the recent Linux 6.15 release and its performance on AMD, available here:

Linux 6.15 AMD Performance Analysis

.

  1. Discover our detailed comparison between Linux kernels 5.15 and 6.17 on AMD Epyc processors: performance, new features, and impact on your servers and professional applications.