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Do you have Spectre countermeasures active in the kernel of that machine?

What does it matter, in this context?

If it's about bare metal vs. virtual machines, know that Spectre affects virtual machines, too.

I think they are implying disabling them (if on) could squeeze you out a bit more performance.

Ah, I did not think of that angle, which is substantial. Thanks.

Substantial as in "up to 30% of performance".