From Pop!_OS to Bluefin: A 20% Multi-Core Performance Boost on Intel Raptor Lake
Switching operating systems isn’t something I choose to do lightly. It’s a bit scary and inconvenient, but also exciting. For a couple of years, I enjoyed using Pop!_OS and even encouraged others to adopt it. However, being on the Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS version felt like I was stuck in the past. Recently, I decided to make the leap from Pop!_OS to Bluefin on my GMKtec NukBox K10, powered by an Intel i9-13900HK. The results were surprising. I find myself excited about my desktop experience again, with immediate and noticeable performance improvements.
Before diving into the installation, I took the time to back up all my data and jot down crucial settings, like my trusty backup_sync.sh script. This preparation laid the groundwork for a smooth transition. Installing Bluefin, along with my essential apps, was a breeze, though it did require a dedicated USB drive since Ventoy wasn’t supported.
Geekbench Performance Analysis: Pop!_OS vs. Bluefin
Curiosity and a desire for a modern, up-to-date desktop experience drove my decision to switch operating systems. I wasn’t explicitly hunting for raw speed when I made the leap, but after using Bluefin for a bit, the system felt noticeably snappier. I ran Geekbench to see if the performance boost was real or just in my head.
Geekbench measures raw processor performance across everyday workloads. Single-core scores reflect how quickly your system handles individual tasks like web browsing or launching apps, while multi-core scores show how well it handles heavy parallel processing like code compilation, video rendering, and multitasking under heavy loads.
The post-install benchmarks confirmed what I was feeling:
Geekbench Score Comparison:
| Benchmark | Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS | Project Bluefin | Performance Gain |
| Single-Core Score | 2,065 | 2,264 | +9.64% |
| Multi-Core Score | 11,388 | 13,665 | +20.00% |
Click these links for full Geekbench results:
The Technical Edge: Why Bluefin Outperforms
Several factors contribute to Bluefin’s superior performance, especially on Intel’s hybrid architecture:
- Upstream Kernel Optimizations: Bluefin leverages newer Linux kernel releases (6.x or 7.x series, depending on build), optimized for Intel’s Raptor Lake architecture. This ensures efficient scheduling with the Intel Thread Director, prioritizing Performance cores over Efficient cores.
- Reduced System Overhead: With Bluefin’s atomic, image-based architecture, system clutter is minimized. Running applications through Flatpaks and rootless Podman containers decreases background daemons and system state overhead, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Aggressive CPU Governor Settings: Bluefin’s default power profiles are tuned for performance, allowing the i9-13900HK to sustain higher power limits under load without premature throttling.
Everyday Advantages: What Bluefin Means for the End User
Beyond raw benchmarks, switching to an immutable, image-based OS like Bluefin brings practical benefits to daily computing:
- Zero-Maintenance System Stability: System updates happen atomic-style in the background. If an update ever causes an issue, you can simply roll back to a previous working state at boot.
- Containerized Apps by Default: Installing Flatpaks and running rootless containers keeps your core system isolated from application conflicts, preventing OS rot over time.
- Developer-Ready Out of the Box: Built-in support for Docker/Podman and developer toolchains means less time spent configuring development environments.
- Set It and Forget It Updates: Automatic, reliable background updates mean your system stays secure and up-to-date without interrupting your workflow.
For those curious about the performance gains and architectural improvements of Bluefin, the Project Bluefin website provides a deep dive into how Fedora-based immutable distributions redefine Linux desktop experiences compared to traditional systems like Pop!_OS.
Shout Out to Jorge Castro
A special shout out to Jorge Castro for his insightful videos on YouTube. His passion for Project Bluefin is contagious, and I’m so impressed with his ability to freestyle his video content at length without going off the rails.
Transitioning to Bluefin was more than just a performance upgrade. It was a step towards embracing simplicity and efficiency. If you’re considering a similar switch, I hope my experience provides some useful insights. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m eager to see how Bluefin continues to enhance my computing experience.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going!