How can I observe memory bandwidth?

Question

I have an embedded Linux ARM system that is showing significantly less throughput than expected on both Ethernet and USB. I suspect the memory may be contributing. Is there a way to observe the memory bandwidth that is consumed while running a throughput test on the Ethernet or USB?

What platform? The best method may be architecture-specific. — Gilles 'SO- stop being evil', Feb 23 '12 at 23:18

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 05 '19 at 19:19

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There is a memory bandwidth benchmark available in open source. It works for Intel & ARM under Linux or Windows Mobile CE.

It will give you raw performance for your memory as well as system performance with memory. But it won't give you a real-time bandwidth, so I don't know if it's a good answer to your question.

There's also a memtop tool out there, but it's more about usage than bandwidth. Perf tool can be handy in order to detect page fault.

edited Sep 05 '19 at 19:19

waterproof

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answered Feb 24 '12 at 08:52

Coren

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"The project has migrated to [https://github.com/MartinThoma/memtop](https://github.com/MartinThoma/memtop)." – Bengt Oct 22 '16 at 14:21

DanglingPointer · Answer 2 · 2020-07-10T10:53:09.507

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In Debian and derivatives like Ubuntu you can run the "mbw" command

$ sudo apt-get install mbw

Then execute a 2GB memory test (assuming you have enough RAM for that without affecting other applications and swapping)...

$ mbw 2048

edited Jul 10 '20 at 10:53

answered Jul 09 '20 at 23:56

DanglingPointer

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How can I observe memory bandwidth?

2 Answers2