So if you’ve just installed your new GPU then running a benchmark and comparing it to known results will mean you know if it’s working as it should. Testing your hardware: one key use of any benchmark software is to check how your hardware is running. It can range from personal use or something more commercial, and so there are plenty of considerations on either side on which you choose. There are plenty of reasons to consider utilizing GPU benchmark software. Doing a general test won’t access those and will do more general benchmarks, as such there may be issues in those areas that won’t show on more basic tests. This means you need software that targets those particular areas.
Features like ray tracing and DLSS 3 have slowly crept into GPU territory and work in a particular way with certain parts in the cards. Tested featuresĪs graphics cards keep expanding and growing, then there are a lot of new features to test. As some of them might lack the bigger data sets so you can find the right comparison for your gear. Then you might just opt for the free option, which also may lack leaderboards and comparisons. As well as continued support in the long term for your version and any upcoming hardware that is released.īut if you’re not doing it on a long-term basis and maybe once or twice, then it’s not worth the investment. There are some advantages to either, with the paid-for options most likely to offer a greater variety of features and capabilities in it. One big difference will be if you’re wanting to pay or not for the software. So there are some factors that vary between the software to decide between, as we look at some of those differences you might think about. But there are still some decisions to make on which ones you want to use. When it comes to choosing the right GPU benchmark software there are not too many choices out there. What to look for in a GPU benchmark software As then you can find out what other issues you may have if it’s with the card itself or the rest of the setup. Whilst also providing a good set of results so you can compare what you get to what you can expect. It is something handy so it’s easy to compare how different GPUs compare to each other. It is a key part of how we test GPUs and is a necessary tool for many reviewers. So as you look to test out all of it, we look at the specifics with the best GPU benchmark software with both free & paid options.īenchmarking is a great way to compare how different parts compare to each other. Take a look at our article on Nvidia’s Automatic overclocking tool in GeForce Experience.As you build your gaming PC, then you want to make sure everything is running as it should when you’re done. (This especially useful if you’re looking to overclock. If you make a tweak to a component in your PC, the individual scores give you a better idea of the affect it has on the total score. Port Royal just has GPU scores and a total score.
There’s one total score, and then separate individual scores for the CPU and GPU if you’re running Time Spy. What numbers should you keep an eye on? It’s simple. 3DMark even has an online hall of fame where you can compare your scores against others!
Time Spy (which tests DirectX 12 graphics performance) and Port Royal (ray tracing performance) are some of the most widely used benchmarks around. Here we’ll use the popular 3DMark benchmarking suite, which includes some free modes. How to benchmark your GPU to gauge baseline performanceĪn example of 3DMark Time Spy scores and estimated game performance.Īfter you’ve tested for stability and thermals, you can take your benchmarking degree up to a doctorate by testing performance. An easier way is to just run the benchmark option in Unigine Heaven, and then you can compare your score with others online and get a good baseline to make sure you’re in the ballpark. You can also keep an eye on the core clock and memory clock of your GPU, to make sure it is performing near the intended specs. That’s a direct benefit of knowledge gained while benchmarking and testing your GPU. Add some fans or open some case panels and temperatures should improve. You’ll know if you’re in the danger zone if your temperatures are in the higher 80s, and your fans are spinning aggressively this often will indicate poor case airflow. How do you know the normal operating temperature for your graphics card’s GPU core? It varies by model (Google your GPU name for concrete details) but basic reference-style coolers can often run as high as 84 Celsius, while some larger graphics cards with hefty heat sinks and multiple fans-like Sapphire’s fantastic Nitro+ series-can be lower in the 60s and 70s.