Phoronix Test Suite - Automated Benchmarking Cheatsheet
The Phoronix Test Suite (PTS) is an open-source, cross-platform automated benchmarking framework. It provides hundreds of downloadable test profiles (CPU, GPU, disk, memory, compilers, databases, and more), handles their installation and dependencies, runs them reproducibly, aggregates results, and can upload/compare them through OpenBenchmarking.org. It turns “benchmark my system” from a manual chore into a repeatable, shareable, turn-key process.
Installation
| Platform | Command |
|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | sudo apt install phoronix-test-suite |
| Fedora/RHEL | sudo dnf install phoronix-test-suite |
| Arch (AUR) | yay -S phoronix-test-suite |
| Generic | download the release tarball, run ./install-sh |
| Requirement | PHP (CLI) is required |
| Verify | phoronix-test-suite version |
Core Concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Test profile | A single benchmark (e.g. pts/stress-ng) |
| Test suite | A bundle of related test profiles |
| Result | Saved benchmark output for a system |
| OpenBenchmarking.org | Cloud repo of profiles and shared results |
| Batch mode | Non-interactive runs for automation |
Finding & Installing Tests
| Command | Description |
|---|
phoronix-test-suite list-available-tests | List all downloadable test profiles |
phoronix-test-suite list-available-suites | List test suites |
phoronix-test-suite search compress | Search for tests |
phoronix-test-suite info pts/stress-ng | Show details about a profile |
phoronix-test-suite install pts/stress-ng | Download and install a test |
Running Benchmarks
| Command | Description |
|---|
phoronix-test-suite benchmark pts/stress-ng | Install + run in one step |
phoronix-test-suite run pts/c-ray | Run an installed test |
phoronix-test-suite default-run pts/cpu | Run with default options |
phoronix-test-suite benchmark build-linux-kernel | Compile-the-kernel stress (CPU+RAM+bus) |
phoronix-test-suite finish-run RESULT | Resume/complete a saved run |
During a run PTS prompts for a result name and can repeat tests to compute a confident average.
Managing Results
| Command | Description |
|---|
phoronix-test-suite list-saved-results | List local results |
phoronix-test-suite show-result RESULT | Display a result |
phoronix-test-suite compare-results-to-baseline | Compare against a baseline |
phoronix-test-suite merge-results A B | Merge result files |
phoronix-test-suite result-file-to-csv RESULT | Export to CSV |
phoronix-test-suite remove-result RESULT | Delete a result |
Comparing Systems
# Run the same test on two machines, give matching result IDs, then:
phoronix-test-suite merge-results machineA machineB
phoronix-test-suite show-result merged # side-by-side comparison
Batch / Automation
| Command | Description |
|---|
phoronix-test-suite batch-setup | Configure non-interactive defaults |
phoronix-test-suite batch-benchmark pts/cpu | Run without prompts |
TEST_RESULTS_NAME=run1 phoronix-test-suite ... | Set result name via env |
| Env vars | FORCE_TIMES_TO_RUN, BATCH_MODE, etc. control runs |
System Info & Monitoring
| Command | Description |
|---|
phoronix-test-suite system-info | Detailed hardware/software inventory |
phoronix-test-suite system-sensors | Read available sensors |
phoronix-test-suite diagnostics | Environment diagnostics |
Common Workflows
# Turn-key CPU + memory soak via the kernel build test
phoronix-test-suite benchmark build-linux-kernel
# Reproducible storage benchmark, exported for a report
phoronix-test-suite benchmark pts/fio
phoronix-test-suite result-file-to-csv <result-name>
# Stability validation combining tools: PTS for load, watch dmesg/journal
phoronix-test-suite batch-benchmark pts/stress-ng
| Aspect | Phoronix Test Suite | sysbench | stress-ng |
|---|
| Scope | Hundreds of profiles, many domains | CPU/mem/IO/DB | CPU/mem/IO stressors |
| Automation | Full (batch, profiles, results) | Manual scripting | Manual flags |
| Result sharing | OpenBenchmarking.org | None | None |
| Best for | Comparable, reproducible suites | Targeted micro-benchmarks | Stability/stress load |
Resources
