diff --git a/src/speccpu/x264.py b/src/speccpu/x264.py
index ca77abe..39cd1b6 100644
--- a/src/speccpu/x264.py
+++ b/src/speccpu/x264.py
@@ -82,3 +82,31 @@ def recompile_mc(mc_path: Path, build: Path, spec_env: os._Environ):
 
     # Run "make"
     return make(build, spec_env)
+
+
+def perf_ref(x264_run, perf_output):
+    """Run "perf" to profile x264 reference performance."""
+    x264_cmd = [
+        x264_run / "x264_s_base.mytest-m64",
+        "--seek",
+        "500",
+        "--dumpyuv",
+        "200",
+        "--frames",
+        "1250",
+        "-o",
+        "BuckBunny_New.264",
+        "BuckBunny.yuv",
+        "1280x720",
+    ]
+    run(
+        [
+            "perf",
+            "record",
+            "-o",
+            perf_output,
+            "--",
+            *x264_cmd,
+        ],
+        cwd=x264_run,
+    )