CPU2017

CPU2017 is a benchmark suite developed by the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) to assess general-purpose processor performance with compute-intensive workloads. It is the successor to SPEC CPU2006 and targets a broad range of system types, from servers to workstations and high-performance computing platforms. The suite comprises a diverse collection of real-world workloads drawn from widely used applications and libraries, organized into two main categories: integer and floating-point. Each workload is implemented as a standalone program with a fixed input set, designed to reflect typical computational tasks rather than microbenchmarks. The goal is to provide a reproducible, cross-architecture measure of CPU performance that captures factors such as instruction throughput, memory behavior, and branch patterns.

Measurement in CPU2017 is governed by standardized run rules and validated toolchains. Participants compile the benchmarks using specified compiler versions and options, provision system resources, and follow documented procedures to minimize variations due to software or hardware environment. Results are published as a performance score that aggregates the affected benchmarks, enabling comparisons across CPUs, server configurations, and generations. The suite is widely used by processor manufacturers, data-center evaluators, and researchers to illustrate relative performance and efficiency.

Criticism of CPU2017 centers on licensing requirements, the time and expertise needed to build and run the suite, and the potential for compiler and system optimizations to influence outcomes. Proponents argue that its real-world workloads and structured methodology provide more meaningful comparisons than synthetic microbenchmarks. See also SPEC, SPEC CPU, performance benchmarks.