3DMark

3DMark is a benchmark program, which is published since 1999 by Futuremark (formerly MadOnion ) to determine the performance of current graphics cards, PC systems and mobile systems such as tablets or smartphones and compare them. The values ​​determined are, for the purpose of comparability, in point of numbers converted. Between the 3DMark versions of the scores are not comparable, since different versions of DirectX are used.

Development of 3DMark series

By 2002 the company was called Futuremark still Mad Onion, only then was changed because of the relevance to the "benchmark" concept of enterprise.

The Final Reality benchmark in 1997 is considered the predecessor of the 3DMark series, which, however, was developed by Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment. At the time asserted itself among the graphics cards the 3dfx Voodoo Graphics especially in the benchmark.

The first official version of the 3DMark series was the 3DMark 99 (Release: end of 1998 ). Technically, it was based on the DirectX version 6 first comparative measurements between different systems were made possible in the program.

Successor was the 3DMark 2000, which ran under DirectX 7. The minimum system requirements at that time were hardly distinguishable from its predecessor and amounted to a Pentium 166 with 64 MiByte memory. Comparative figures have now been uploaded to the online database of MadOnion and compared with each other. They began to listen first world record benchmark results.

In 3DMark 2001, there was again a standard and an extended version (3D Mark 2001 SE). Condition was now a DirectX 8 video card, like a Geforce 3 or ATI Radeon 8500th In the SE version DirectX 8.1 was used. For the first time individual tests in the benchmark, like the famous Nature test, can be calculated only by the then latest graphics cards.

In early 2003 came the 3DMark 2003 on the market, bringing DirectX 9 capabilities could be exploited. Only with DirectX 9 graphics cards could all tests are completed. Many graphics chipmaker optimized their drivers, especially to do well in 3DMark and thus to create purchasing arguments. The graphics card manufacturer Nvidia criticized Futuremark for alleged deprivation of Nvidia graphics cards in the tests. The dispute was settled later.

The sequel to 3DMark 05 was released in late 2005. Peculiarity was the condition of pixel shader 2.0.

On 18 January 2006 the 3DMark 06 was released. In addition to the continuing validity of prerequisite from the pixel shader 2.0 on the graphics card, exclusive tests for pixel shader 3.0 cards have been integrated, for example, High Dynamic Range rendering. As CPU you needed a 2.5 GHz processor.

3DMark Vantage was brought from Futuremark on the market in April 2008 and needed Windows Vista as the operating system, as well as a DirectX 10 graphics accelerator. Again there was a free version, in which the test results can be viewed online only and several paid versions with more extensive features. Only later did the basic version was provided at no additional cost, making unlimited test runs were possible in return for the trial version.

The version of 3DMark 11 was released in late 2010, and waived the PhysX physics computation on the graphics card. DirectX 11 graphics cards, as well as a dual core processor is required and there is again a choice between a free and a paid version ( Advanced Edition ).

The sequel to 3DMark 11 3DMark is simply called and is the first graphics benchmark software that not only runs on computers with Windows, but also on mobile devices running Android and Apple iOS. The platforms are tested in three different procedures that are tailored to the specific operating system.

Trivia

The music in the credits of the 3DMark 06 is the only title with song in the history of 3DMarks. The title artist is the band Poets of the Fall with the track " Lift". The track name is given in the credits with "Lift me higher ", but officially it is not correct.

3DMark and Übertakterszene

3DMark is one of the most used programs in order to compare results and tests when overclocking the computer. Numerous members of the " Overclocking " scene use the program to compare their results with each other and always setting new records points. The current, official records will be (as of July 9, 2013 ):

* 3DMark05 3DMark01 up is no longer included in the official record list. Status: 2008-2010

For such results, a considerable technical effort is. For example, processors and graphics cards with liquid nitrogen (-196 ° C ) are cooled to allow extreme overclocking.

The results can be uploaded to the Internet for the comparison. An account must be created for it on the website from Futuremark, in which the resultant data can be stored. If the account is created, the own benchmark can be examined in detail and compared with each other online users.

Manipulating the test results

Since the performance of graphics cards is tested with 3DMark, this has already led to the GPU manufacturer NVIDIA has improved driver manipulations, the benchmark result to stand out against competitors ATI. However, this was quickly detected and prevented by a patch. By recording the patch also the results of ATI deteriorated a bit, which also ATI was suspected to have carried out manipulations. However, this could not be clearly demonstrated.