Timed Linux Kernel Compilation

This test times how long it takes to build the Linux kernel in a default configuration.

To run this test with the Phoronix Test Suite, the basic command is: phoronix-test-suite benchmark build-linux-kernel.

Project Site

kernel.org

Test Created

6 December 2010

Last Updated

19 April 2026

Test Maintainer

Michael Larabel 

Test Type

Processor

Average Install Time

1 Second

Average Run Time

5 Minutes, 59 Seconds

Test Dependencies

C/C++ Compiler Toolchain + BC + Bison + Flex + OpenSSL

Accolades

600k+ Downloads + 30k+ Public Benchmark Results + Recently Updated Test Profile

Supported Platforms

Public Result Uploads *Reported Test Completions **Reported Installs **Test Profile Page Views ***OpenBenchmarking.orgEventsTimed Linux Kernel Compilation Popularity Statisticspts/build-linux-kernel2010.122011.052011.102012.032012.082013.012013.062013.112014.042014.092015.022015.072015.122016.052016.102017.032017.082018.012018.062018.112019.042019.092020.022020.072020.122021.052021.102022.032022.082023.012023.062023.112024.042024.092025.022025.072025.12600K1200K1800K2400K3000K
* Uploading of benchmark result data to OpenBenchmarking.org is always optional (opt-in) via the Phoronix Test Suite for users wishing to share their results publicly.
** Data based on those opting to upload their test results to OpenBenchmarking.org and users enabling the opt-in anonymous statistics reporting while running benchmarks from an Internet-connected platform.
*** Test profile page view reporting began March 2021.
Data updated weekly as of 26 April 2026.
allmodconfig44.0%defconfig56.0%Build Option PopularityOpenBenchmarking.org

Revision History

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.18.0   [View Source]   Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:13:16 GMT
Update against Linux 7.0.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.17.1   [View Source]   Sat, 31 May 2025 12:38:49 GMT
Add gawk as system dependency needed for allmodconfig builds.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.17.0   [View Source]   Sat, 31 May 2025 11:45:17 GMT
Update against Linux 6.15 upstream for better compatibility with GCC 15 etc.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.16.0   [View Source]   Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:01:20 GMT
Update against Linux 6.8 upstream.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.15.0   [View Source]   Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:27:44 GMT
Update against v6.1 upstream. Also add cpio as possible system dependency - Fixes: https://github.com/phoronix-test-suite/test-profiles/issues/263

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.14.0   [View Source]   Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:21:48 GMT
Update against Linux 5.18 upstream, pull in via https://github.com/phoronix-test-suite/test-profiles/pull/227 Closes: https://github.com/phoronix-test-suite/test-profiles/pull/227

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.13.0   [View Source]   Mon, 10 Jan 2022 04:59:41 GMT
Update against Linux 5.16 upstream to address build problems on newer distros. Also add allmodconfig run-time option.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.12.0   [View Source]   Mon, 30 Aug 2021 05:46:09 GMT
Update against Linux 5.14 upstream since prior version used is having build issues on newer distros.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.11.0   [View Source]   Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:56:16 GMT
Move to Linux 5.10 LTS series (5.10.20) kernel build.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.10.2   [View Source]   Tue, 23 Jun 2020 10:33:24 GMT
Add libelf.h as a SystemDependencies, addressing possible build issue outlined in https://github.com/phoronix-test-suite/phoronix-test-suite/pull/430

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.10.1   [View Source]   Sat, 25 Apr 2020 09:12:27 GMT
Update against latest Linux 5.4 LTS point release to fix GCC 10 build problems.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.10.0   [View Source]   Sun, 13 Oct 2019 20:17:06 GMT
Update against latest Linux 5.4 snapshot

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.9.1   [View Source]   Wed, 22 Aug 2018 18:01:51 GMT
Somehow TimesToRun got overrode to 1 on upload...

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.9.0   [View Source]   Wed, 22 Aug 2018 17:59:26 GMT
Update against upstream Linux 4.18, add bison/flex/openssl external dependencies, tweak the def config to avoid libelf dependency.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.8.0   [View Source]   Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:48:02 GMT
Update against Linux 4.13 upstream

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.7.0   [View Source]   Wed, 04 Jan 2017 11:36:44 GMT
Update against upstream Linux 4.9.0 kernel

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.6.0   [View Source]   Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:36:40 GMT
Update against Linux 4.3.0 kernel.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.5.3   [View Source]   Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:03:03 GMT
Add bc as external dependency -- not installed by default on Arch.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.5.2   [View Source]   Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:12:29 GMT
Simplify make defconfig to better support other architectures.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.5.1   [View Source]   Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:07:50 GMT
Fix rc3/rc6 typo in previous commit pre.sh

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.5.0   [View Source]   Thu, 27 Nov 2014 21:41:45 GMT
Update against Linux 3.18-rc6 kernel due to the explicit GNU89 kernel change recently to allow this to work better on GCC5.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.4.0   [View Source]   Sun, 09 Nov 2014 17:00:04 GMT
Update against latest upstream Linux kernel.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.3.0   [View Source]   Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:10:47 GMT
Update against Linux 3.1 vanilla kernel.

pts/build-linux-kernel-1.2.0   [View Source]   Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:28:13 GMT
Initial import into OpenBenchmarking.org

Suites Using This Test

Timed Code Compilation

Multi-Core

CPU Massive

Server CPU Tests

Programmer / Developer System Benchmarks


Performance Metrics

Analyze Test Configuration:

Timed Linux Kernel Compilation 7.0

Build: defconfig

OpenBenchmarking.org metrics for this test profile configuration based on 65 public results since 20 April 2026 with the latest data as of 25 April 2026.

Below is an overview of the generalized performance for components where there is sufficient statistically significant data based upon user-uploaded results. It is important to keep in mind particularly in the Linux/open-source space there can be vastly different OS configurations, with this overview intended to offer just general guidance as to the performance expectations.

Component
Percentile Rank
# Compatible Public Results
Seconds (Average)
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 64-Cores
97th
4
26
AMD EPYC 9455P 48-Core
91st
4
33
Intel Xeon 6980P
85th
4
34 +/- 1
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX 32-Cores
81st
4
36
Mid-Tier
75th
> 41
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 16-Core
73rd
4
48 +/- 1
Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
65th
4
53
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D 12-Core
59th
3
60
Median
50th
68
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
48th
4
68
Intel Core Ultra X7 358H
36th
4
115 +/- 1
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
31st
3
118
Low-Tier
25th
> 134
AMD Ryzen AI 9 365
24th
4
139 +/- 6
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
17th
3
260 +/- 3
Detailed Performance Overview
OpenBenchmarking.orgDistribution Of Public Results - Build: defconfig22 Results Range From 25 To 263 Seconds2540557085100115130145160175190205220235250265246810

Based on OpenBenchmarking.org data, the selected test / test configuration (Timed Linux Kernel Compilation 7.0 - Build: defconfig) has an average run-time of 3 minutes. By default this test profile is set to run at least 3 times but may increase if the standard deviation exceeds pre-defined defaults or other calculations deem additional runs necessary for greater statistical accuracy of the result.

OpenBenchmarking.orgMinutesTime Required To Complete BenchmarkBuild: defconfigRun-Time246810Min: 2 / Avg: 3 / Max: 4

Based on public OpenBenchmarking.org results, the selected test / test configuration has an average standard deviation of 0.3%.

OpenBenchmarking.orgPercent, Fewer Is BetterAverage Deviation Between RunsBuild: defconfigDeviation246810Min: 0 / Avg: 0.25 / Max: 2

Tested CPU Architectures

This benchmark has been successfully tested on the below mentioned architectures. The CPU architectures listed is where successful OpenBenchmarking.org result uploads occurred, namely for helping to determine if a given test is compatible with various alternative CPU architectures.

CPU Architecture
Kernel Identifier
Verified On
Intel / AMD x86 64-bit
x86_64
(Many Processors)

Recent Test Results

OpenBenchmarking.org Results Compare

3 Systems - 8 Benchmark Results

AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 - ASUS Zenbook S 16 UM5606WA_UM5606WA UM5606WA v1.0 - AMD Strix

Ubuntu 26.04 - 7.0.0-13-generic - GNOME Shell 50.0

1 System - 1 Benchmark Result

AMD RYZEN AI MAX+ 395 - ASUS GZ302EA v1.0 - AMD Strix

Arch Linux 20260329.0.507017 - 6.18.18 - Wayland

1 System - 1 Benchmark Result

AMD RYZEN AI MAX+ 395 - ASUS GZ302EA v1.0 - AMD Strix

Arch Linux 20260329.0.507017 - 6.18.18 - Wayland

2 Systems - 8 Benchmark Results

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 - ASUS Zenbook S 16 UM5606WA_UM5606WA UM5606WA v1.0 - AMD Strix

Ubuntu 26.04 - 6.18.0-8-generic - GNOME Shell 49.2

2 Systems - 8 Benchmark Results

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 - ASUS Zenbook S 16 UM5606WA_UM5606WA UM5606WA v1.0 - AMD Strix

Ubuntu 26.04 - 6.18.0-8-generic - GNOME Shell 49.2

2 Systems - 20 Benchmark Results

Intel Core Ultra X7 358H - MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ D3MTG MS-14T2 - Intel Device e47f

Ubuntu 26.04 - 7.0.0-13-generic - GNOME Shell 50.0

2 Systems - 20 Benchmark Results

Intel Core Ultra X7 358H - MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ D3MTG MS-14T2 - Intel Device e47f

Ubuntu 26.04 - 7.0.0-13-generic - GNOME Shell 50.0

6 Systems - 1543 Benchmark Results

6 Systems - 1543 Benchmark Results

6 Systems - 1543 Benchmark Results

6 Systems - 1543 Benchmark Results

6 Systems - 1543 Benchmark Results

1 System - 29 Benchmark Results

4 x Intel Xeon E5-2620 0 - Xen HVM domU v4.17 - Intel 440FX 82441FX PMC

Debian 13 - 6.12.74+deb13+1-amd64 - GNOME Shell 48.7

2 Systems - 2 Benchmark Results

Intel Xeon 6980P - Giga Computing R284-A92-AAL1-000 MA94-FS0-000 v01000100 - Intel Ice Lake IEH

Ubuntu 26.04 - 6.19.0-9-generic - GCC 15.2.0

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