Power Consumption & Efficiency Of The Linux Kernel For The Last Three Years

First up are some Linux gaming tests.

When running Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on these last 19 kernel releases with the Haswell graphics, there isn't a huge change in performance. In fact, the recent kernels are using slightly more power if anything than the early Linux 3.x kernels tested. Linux 3.11 had an average power use of 63 Watts while Linux 4.9 had an average power use of 69 Watts while running the same CS:GO test.

But when looking at the performance-per-Watt, the metrics have been at their best and close to the same since Linux 4.0.

Dota 2 hasn't seen much movement in power use when testing it from Linux 3.11 to Linux 4.9.

The performance-per-Watt results here are a bit more shaky than on with CS:GO but still show the best results since Linux 4.0 thanks to the maturing Intel DRM driver.