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Linux beats Windows 11 when running on the best CPU from Intel

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The latest version of the Linux kernel pushes the open-source OS past Windows 11 when it comes to performance.

Intel Core i9-12900K
Intel Core i9-12900K (Image credit: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Linux kernel was recently updated to version 5.16, resulting in improved performance in several areas.
  • The update improves the performance of the operating system when running on 12th Gen Alder Lake CPUs from Intel.
  • Following the update to version 5.16, Linux now outperforms Windows 11 in several benchmarks.

Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake chips are some of the best CPUs on 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 by Phoronix, that update pushes Linux above Windows 11 in several areas.

Phoronix performed 104 benchmark tests on a system with an Intel Core i9-12900K chip, an ASUS 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 to push Linux past Windows 11 in over 85% of benchmarks.

Source: Phoronix (Image credit: Source: Phoronix)

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.

While Linux beat out Windows 11 in 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.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

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 930, 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_.