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NBench

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What NBench is

NBench is a free Linux and Unix port of release 2 of BYTE Magazine’s BYTEmark benchmark program. It measures CPU, floating-point, and memory-system capabilities, reporting MEM, INT, and FP indices for memory efficiency, integer performance, and floating-point performance. Most machines complete a run in less than 10 minutes. Results can be compared with a Dell Pentium 90 running MSDOS and an AMD K6/233 running Linux. The downloadable archive includes complete source code, documentation, and a Linux ELF binary. The maker reports successful compilation on Linux, SunOS, DEC Unix 4.0, DEC OSF1, HP-UX, DEC Ultrix, and MS-DOS, although Linux is the listed platform. NBench includes a comparison database but does not offer custom test profiles. Users may email benchmark results to Uwe F. Mayer for posting by following README.submit instructions. The software is described as freely distributable, and the listed nbench-byte version is 2.2.3. A build limitation affects gcc 4.3.3 and later because the Makefile’s default flags no longer work.

Who it suits

It suits Linux users who need a small, freely distributable benchmark for CPU, floating-point, and memory-system measurements. Developers on other listed Unix-like systems may also compile it.

What it does well

  • Measures CPU, floating-point, and memory systems
  • Runs in under 10 minutes on most machines
  • Includes source, documentation, and Linux binary
  • Provides comparison database and reference systems
  • Freely distributable

What to know first

  • Linux is the listed platform
  • No custom test profiles
  • gcc 4.3.3 and later need different flags
  • Version 2.2.3 is listed

Verdict

NBench offers a focused benchmark with published MEM, INT, and FP results and a downloadable source archive. Its age and compiler limitation may require build adjustments, but the tool remains free and compact.

Facts from NBench's own pages

Build caveat
The maker notes that gcc 4.3.3 and later no longer work with the Makefile’s default flags and says this issue was not sufficient reason for a full new release at the time of the page update. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Comparison database
Yes · math.utah.edu, 25 Sept 2026
Comparisons
It compares results with two reference systems: a Dell Pentium 90 running MSDOS and an AMD K6/233 running Linux. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Compatibility
The maker reports successful compilation on SunOS, DEC Unix 4.0, DEC OSF1, HP-UX, DEC Ultrix, MS-DOS, and Linux. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Compiler limitation
The maker notes that starting with gcc 4.3.3, the Makefile’s default flags no longer work. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Custom test profiles
No · math.utah.edu, 25 Sept 2026
Distribution
The software map entry describes nbench-byte as freely distributable. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Download contents
The archive contains the complete source, documentation, and a Linux ELF binary. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yes · math.utah.edu, 25 Sept 2026
License
The software map entry describes the copying policy as freely distributable. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
No listed integrations
The product page describes a downloadable benchmark and result-submission process but names no software integrations. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
No security details
The product page provides no security or compliance information. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Operating systems
Linux; source compiled on SunOS,DEC Unix 4.0,DEC OSF1,HP-UX,DEC Ultrix,and MS-DOS · math.utah.edu, 25 Sept 2026
Platforms
The source has been successfully compiled on Linux, SunOS, DEC Unix 4.0, DEC OSF1, HP-UX, DEC Ultrix, and MS-DOS. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
NBench is a Linux/Unix port of release 2 of BYTE Magazine’s BYTEmark benchmark program, designed to measure CPU, FPU, and memory-system capabilities. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Result metrics
The published results use MEM, INT, and FP indices for memory efficiency, integer performance, and floating-point performance. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Results
The maker publishes submitted benchmark results with memory, integer-performance, and floating-point-performance indices. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Result submissions
Users can email benchmark results to Uwe F. Mayer for posting on the site. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Runtime
The benchmark takes less than 10 minutes to run on most machines. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Submissions
Users may email their results to Uwe F. Mayer for posting, following the archive’s README.submit instructions. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Version
The software map entry lists nbench-byte version 2.2.3, entered on 12 May 2008. · math.utah.edu, 11 Oct 2026
Workload areas
CPU,floating-point,memory system · math.utah.edu, 25 Sept 2026

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