Introduction

3Dmark is a software developed by Futuremark specifically for measuring graphics card performance. It has been released with 3Dmark99, 3Dmark2001, 3Dmark2003, 3Dmark2005, 3Dmark2006, 3Dmark advantage, 3Dmark 11, and The New 3DMark. And 3Dmark is no longer just a software for measuring graphics card performance, it has gradually transformed into a software for measuring overall performance.

3DMark Vantage was released on April 28, 2008, and is the industry's first comprehensive benchmark testing tool specifically built on the Microsoft DX10 API. It can fully leverage the advantages of multi-channel graphics cards and multi-core processors, and can meet the performance testing requirements of PC system games in the current and future. Similar to the DX9 specific nature of 3DMark05, 3DMark Vantage is specifically designed for DX10 graphics cards and can only run on Windows Vista SP1 or Windows 7 operating systems. It includes two graphic testing projects, two processor testing projects, and six feature testing projects.

The graphics and processor testing projects are all brand new, with the former utilizing new technology and high-performance DX10 graphics cards to create stunning and realistic visual effects, while the latter also includes specialized testing for artificial intelligence (AI) and physical acceleration.

Another new feature of 3DMark Vantage is the introduction of four different levels of parameter presets. Previously, 3DMark only had a simple score when obtaining the final result, while 3DMark Vantage was divided into four categories based on image quality level: Entry (E), Performance (P), High (H), and Extreme (X). The scoring table was also changed to a combination of letters and numbers to reflect the system performance level in more detail, allowing for more accurate and fair comparison. Of course, the scores between different levels are not comparable.

Characteristics and testing items:

The new 3Dmark supports cross platform testing on desktop and mobile platforms, as well as testing on Windows, Android, iOS, and Windows RT system platforms. (Due to the need for further testing of versions for Android, iOS, and Windows RT mobile platforms, Futuremark first released a Windows version for desktop platforms, while other versions were released at a later date.)

Scenarios with different workloads include FireStrike (designed specifically for high-end products based on DirectX11 graphics cards), CloudGate (supporting mainstream hardware based on DirectX10), and IceStorm (designed for entry-level DirectX9 devices).

Support for Windows 8 operating system

A brand new interface, 3DMark not only provides test scores, but also real-time curve graphs for each scenario during testing, recording frame rate, CPU temperature, GPU temperature, and CPU power consumption throughout the entire process.

Note: The new 3Dmark has abolished the grading methods such as E, P, and X, and replaced them with pure numbers. Moreover, 3DMark does not have a unified total score, and only has four scene scores.

Configuration required:

The operating system supports Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows RT, iOS 5.0+, and Android 3.1+, with Fire Strike and Cloud Gate scenarios supporting Windows and Windows RT, while Ice Storm is fully supported.

Windows minimum configuration: Windows Vista system (DX11 update patch must be installed), 1.8GHz dual core processor, 2GB memory, DX9/SM3.0 graphics card, and 3GB hard disk space.

Windows recommended configuration: Windows 7/8 system, 1.8GHz dual core processor, 4GB memory, graphics card that fully supports all DX11 features, and 3GB hard disk space.

Note: The video storage requirements vary depending on the scene, such as Fire Strike 1.5GB, Cloud Gate 256MB, and Ice Storm 128MB.

Windows RT configuration requirements: In theory, all Windows RT system devices can run, but some products have lower configurations and may not be able to complete all tests. The list of recommended products will be announced later.

Minimum iOS configuration: iOS 5.0 system, iPhone 4/iPad 2/iPod touch 5, 300MB storage space.

Android minimum configuration: Android 3.1 system, 1GB memory, OpenGL ES 2.0 compatible graphics core, 300MB storage space. Processor requirements are pending.

Through the updates of the eighth generation products, the 3DMark series has established an image as a benchmark for graphics card performance testing. Why do you say that? We have summarized four reasons why 3DMark has become a testing benchmark:

1. Continuously exploring and following up on cutting-edge technologies, graphics technology has developed rapidly in recent years. FutureMark always reflects the latest graphics technology in testing and looks forward to the development trend in the next year or two. This way, before the latest generation of 3DMark is launched, the old version of the software still has great authority;

2. Rich testing projects, including not only regular game testing, but also pixel fill rate, vertex processing testing added in recent years, and more;

3. The 3DMark series has always been known for its simple testing process and results. Simply select the test item and click Start, and the final score will be presented in an intuitive score. And it is this score that becomes the simplest reason for users to purchase graphics cards. We often hear consumers asking merchants' questions about "how much does this graphics card's 3DMark score", which can also reflect the popularity and universality of 3DMark from this perspective;

4. Authoritative impartiality. If a testing software loses impartiality, it loses credibility. FutureMark has done a great job in this regard, and it will not optimize any chip accordingly. In FutureMark's language, it means: "We will only follow Microsoft's graphics technology development foundation to manufacture testing software, which is also the direction of future game development, FutureMark will not customize testing projects based on the technological development trends of graphics card manufacturers, but will only customize testing software based on Microsoft's DirectX development direction and potential technologies for future games.