What is a benchmark?

A benchmark is program that measures the performance of your PC using standard tests. It is a bit like a personal trainer for your PC, equipped with a stopwatch to check how fast the processor, video card and other components perform when doing different tasks.

Our benchmarks provide scores which can be used to compare different computers. Comparing scores to measure the actual difference in performance between two PCs is much easier than trying to work it out from complicated hardware specifications.

Gamers can compare 3D graphics and gaming system performance with 3DMark Vantage. For non-gamers, PCMark Vantage tests complete system performance for common tasks. The latest versions of 3DMark Vantage and PCMark Vantage are fully compatible with Windows 7.

New Windows 7 PC?

Our benchmarks are a great way to give your shiny new Windows 7 PC a good workout. When everything is set up, a quick benchmark run can confirm that everything is running as it should.

Our benchmarks let you compare results with similar systems. A similar score indicates that everything is working at peak efficiency. If the score is much lower it is a telltale sign that something is wrong. You may have outdated or missing drivers, background programs may be bogging you down or your computer may have a hardware fault of some sort.

While a benchmark is not a full-blown diagnostic program, it is a very good tool for a general performance check-up to confirm that everything is working as it should.

Planning an upgrade?

If moving to Windows 7 means upgrading components in your existing PC then our benchmarks can help you make sense of your upgrade options.

It can be hard to quantify the benefits of an upgrade, or to choose between components from different manufacturers. A quick benchmark run will give your PC a score which you can compare directly to the scores in our ORB database for PCs that have the components you are interested in.

You can also keep track of your scores online as you upgrade or replace your computer, giving you a clear view of how much faster your current computer is when compared to the one you had years ago.

Troubleshooting your PC

Does your PC seem to get slower with time? Is a new game not performing as expected, or a new application keeps crashing? Is your PC the culprit, or is it the software?

Running a benchmark regularly, and especially before and after making changes to your system, can not only keep your PC running smoothly, but also give you peace of mind.

If your score matches those from similar systems then your PC is likely fine and you can start trouble-shooting the software. If not, then there may be hardware problem or incompatibility you need to fix first.

How to get started

1. Download and install one of our benchmarks – Click here to see our full product lineup!
2. Run the benchmark
3. Submit to your results to the ORB, our comparison service
4. Create an ORB user account for yourself to store your current result for future use
5. Run the benchmark on a regular basis and start monitoring your system performance!