Ubuntu 11.10 Review: Benchmarked Against Windows 7

By Adam Overa
published

Three months have passed since the latest version of Ubuntu launched. With its classic desktop gone, Oneiric Ocelot is all Unity. The training wheels are off; no turning back now. Is Ubuntu ready for touchscreens? And how does it compare to Windows 7?

Test System Setup And Methodology

Benchmark Test System

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Operating System 1Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot (64-bit)
Operating System 2Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)
ProcessorIntel Core i5-750 (Lynnfield) @ 2.88 GHz (quad-core)
MotherboardGigabyte GA-P55A-UD7 (F7 BIOS)
Memory8 GB Crucial DDR3 @ 1333 MT/s (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics 1AMD Radeon HD 4870 Reference Board 512 MB GDDR5 (PCIe 2.0)
Graphics 2Evga Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 896 MB GDDR5 (PCIe 2.0)
StorageSeagate Barracuda 7200.12 500 GB SATA 3Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16 MB Cache
OpticalAsus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Power SupplyCorsair TX750W (750 W max)
ChassisZalman MS-1000 HS2
CPU CoolerScythe Mugen 2 Revision B
Mouse 1Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel
Mouse 2Apple Magic Trackpad

X-Plat (cross-platform) Benchmark Suite v1.0

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CategoryTests
Start & Stop TimesBoot, Shut Down, Hibernate, and Wake
File Copy TimesHDD to HDD, HDD to USB, and USB to HDD
ArchivingZip, Un-Zip, Tar.gz, and Un-Tar.gz
MultimediaHandBrake, LAME, and RawTherapee
SystemGeekBench, POV-Ray, and Blender
UnigineSanctuary, Tropics, and Heaven
GamesDoom 3, Prey, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars

Methodology

Specific information on individual benchmark settings, setup, and methodology can be found above the corresponding benchmark on the following pages. Both operating systems were installed and fully updated on January 20th, 2012.

uTouch Review System

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Operating SystemUbuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot (64-bit)
ModelFujitsu Lifebook T580
ProcessorIntel Core i3-380UM @ 1.33 GHz (dual-core)
Memory2 GB DDR3-800 (2 x 1 GB)
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics
Storage160 GB 2.5-inch 5400 RPM, SATA HDD
Display10.1-inch HD 1366x768 WXGA TFT LED-backlit LCD
TouchscreenN-Trig DuoSense Pen and Capacitive Four-Finger Multi-touch
Adam Overa
Topics
Linux
Software
165 Comments Comment from the forums
  • compton
    The best part of 11.10 is the renewed appreciation it gave me for Windows 7.
    Reply
  • Gamer Dude
    comptonThe best part of 11.10 is the renewed appreciation it gave me for Windows 7.LOL that bad uh well at leased there is an alternative if the Sopa takes awake my ripped Window 8 copy LOL.
    Reply
  • jasonpwns
    That's the problem, I've always considered Windows king for gaming, but after looking at Doom 3, and the performance boost over Windows 7. Are we sure we're developing for the right platform? I mean games on Linux theoretically would run a lot better.
    Reply
  • indian-art
    Happy with the benchmarks. I feel Ubuntu 12.04 will be even better.

    Just around a couple of months for its launch!
    Reply
  • malimbar
    One major irrelevancy in beginning of the article: while Mint overtook Ubuntu in Distrowatch, it's nowhere near the actual userbase: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/02/stats-show-ubuntu-not-losing-ground-to-linux-mint/

    Interesting article otherwise, and very well done. I particularly like how it highlights major areas that ubuntu developers need to work on, but still gives ubuntu as a OS credit where it deserves it. It's more worthwhile IMO to review LTS releases (and one is coming up soon), but in the meantime it's great to see where Ubuntu is right now.
    Reply
  • Lol. I knew I was gonna see old games on the benchmarks, but all of them id Tech 4? Hahahah.
    Reply
  • rmpumper
    jasonpwnsThat's the problem, I've always considered Windows king for gaming, but after looking at Doom 3, and the performance boost over Windows 7. Are we sure we're developing for the right platform? I mean games on Linux theoretically would run a lot better.
    If you did not notice, all of the 3 tested games are OpenGL which is barely supported in Win7. How about we see some DirectX9 10 and 11 games before making silly conclusions? And in any case, who gives a rat's ass about Doom3 - 7 year old awful game?
    Reply
  • Gamer Dude
    jasonpwnsThat's the problem, I've always considered Windows king for gaming, but after looking at Doom 3, and the performance boost over Windows 7. Are we sure we're developing for the right platform? I mean games on Linux theoretically would run a lot better.To bad Microsoft has a Monopoly on DX architecture.
    Reply
  • nekromobo
    Linux is only free if your time has no value.
    Reply
  • 4870, gtx260, doom 3, did i time travel to 2008?
    Reply