difference performance of simple SELECT (on large tables) between MySql running on Windows XP and on Ubuntu

[Ed Stone]

Hey guys/gals:

I am deciding on the OS to run MySql (dedicated).

Any knowledge of performance comparisons / benchmarks on simple selects from large tables between MySql running on Windows XP and on Ubuntu (i.e., can it be said that MySql on Ubuntu can be made significanlty faster than that on Windows (or the other way around)).

We are using C# hence ADO.NET provider will be used (using the open source provider since Corelab's seems to be too buggy on large tables, keeps disconnecting from MySql), with client running Windows.

The server machine is reasonably powerful, Dell precision 470, dual cpu (each dual core), 4GB ram, 2 SATA drives (both 80gb Raptors).

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
- Edward