Linux Kernel Idle Power Consumption Comparison
Tests by Michael Larabel comparing the Linux kernel power consumption of various kernels on the same Haswell system.


Linux 3.11: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.00GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.11.0-031100-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.12: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.12.0-031200-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.13: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.13.0-031300-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.14: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.14.0-031400-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.15: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.15.0-031500-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.16: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.16.0-031600-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.17: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.17.0-031700-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.18: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.18.0-031800-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 3.19: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 3.19.0-031900-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.0: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.0.0-040000-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.1: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.1.0-040100-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.2: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.2.0-040200-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.3: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.3.0-040300-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.4: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.4.0-040400-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.5: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.5.0-040500-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.6: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.6.0-040600-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.7: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.7.0-040700-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.8: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.8.0-040800-generic (x86_64), Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160

Linux 4.9: 

	Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40GHz (8 Cores), Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97-HD3P, Chipset: Intel 4th Gen Core DRAM, Memory: 16384MB, Disk: 120GB OCZ TRION100, Graphics: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core IGP, Audio: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th, Monitor: DELL P2415Q, Network: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411

	OS: Ubuntu 16.10, Kernel: 4.9.0-999-generic (x86_64) 20161025, Desktop: Unity 7.5.0, Display Server: X Server 1.18.4, Display Driver: modesetting 1.18.4, OpenGL: 3.3 Mesa 12.1.0-devel- padoka PPA, Vulkan: 1.0.21, Compiler: GCC 6.2.0 20161005, File-System: ext4, Screen Resolution: 3840x2160


Timed Idle
System Power Consumption Monitor
Watts < Lower Is Better
Linux 3.11 . MIN: 35.3  AVG: 35.4  MAX: 36.0 
Linux 3.12 . MIN: 35.7  AVG: 36.0  MAX: 42.1 
Linux 3.13 . MIN: 35.0  AVG: 35.4  MAX: 37.9 
Linux 3.14 . MIN: 35.6  AVG: 35.7  MAX: 36.4 
Linux 3.15 . MIN: 35.1  AVG: 35.3  MAX: 36.0 
Linux 3.16 . MIN: 35.0  AVG: 35.2  MAX: 36.6 
Linux 3.17 . MIN: 35.0  AVG: 35.1  MAX: 35.8 
Linux 3.18 . MIN: 34.9  AVG: 35.0  MAX: 35.7 
Linux 3.19 . MIN: 35.6  AVG: 35.7  MAX: 36.0 
Linux 4.0 .. MIN: 35.3  AVG: 35.4  MAX: 36.1 
Linux 4.1 .. MIN: 35.6  AVG: 35.7  MAX: 36.6 
Linux 4.2 .. MIN: 34.7  AVG: 34.9  MAX: 36.2 
Linux 4.3 .. MIN: 35.2  AVG: 35.9  MAX: 49.8 
Linux 4.4 .. MIN: 34.9  AVG: 35.4  MAX: 46.4 
Linux 4.5 .. MIN: 35.5  AVG: 36.4  MAX: 53.7 
Linux 4.6 .. MIN: 31.6  AVG: 32.0  MAX: 35.1 
Linux 4.7 .. MIN: 35.2  AVG: 35.6  MAX: 41.9 
Linux 4.8 .. MIN: 35.4  AVG: 35.6  MAX: 36.1 
Linux 4.9 .. MIN: 35.6  AVG: 35.8  MAX: 36.3