3Dmark: all your benchmarks and how to configure them

Not too long ago we talked about 3DMark , that application created by UL Benchmarks to carry out tests on our equipment. Today, we are going to gut the program to explain all its most important features and functionalities.

Of course, we warn you that we are going to use the free version of Windows as an example . While we lack some cool options, it's the version that most people will use.

Index of contents

Things to know about 3DMark

Before we get to work, let's get a little in context and learn something from 3DMark .

This program was created by the company UL Benchmarks and has several sister applications for different tasks such as Servermark or VRMark . More specifically, 3DMark is a conglomerate of tests created to test different teams on both GPU and CPU . With it we can test from the most common laptops and tablets to the most powerful combat machines.

You can learn more about the program by visiting its website and, as is common, we have a free version and an advanced version, although the latter is paid. However, we are going to talk exclusively about the benefits of the free version for Windows computers.

To install 3DMark we have to follow a series of somewhat peculiar steps that we will tell you below:

• Install Steam Go to the store and search for 3DMark Access the main page of the program (it will cost you € 24.99) On the side, press the option "Download Demo"

It weighs approximately 8 GiB and, after a few minutes of download, everything will be ready to start the tests. When you open the program, the first thing you will see is the following Start screen.

Here you can see that it detects the characteristics of your system (Operating System, main memory, RAM, CPU and GPU) and also a recommendation. Depending on the equipment you have, it will show you one test or another, since we will have several tests available.

In the advanced version, different tests will be unlocked such as the Extreme versions (4K resolution) and others such as the DLSS and Ray Tracing tests . On the other hand, we can also edit the test configuration.-

The different 3DMark tests

In the basic version we will have Time Spy, Night Raid, Fire Strike, Sky Diver, Cloud Gate, Ice Storm and Ice Storm Extreme available .

The tests you see in black and white are blocked for the advanced or commercial version.

All tests are made up of a “kinematics” made in real time that you will have to load. Then, you will go through three or four tests where you will exclusively work on a component, for example the graph. Finally, the simulation will end completely and you will be given a summary with the general and specific scores for each test. You will see something similar to this:

From a cinematic or playable point of view they may not be very impressive, but you have to remember that everything is calculated and done in real time. While all possible tricks are found in a game to save resources, here it is just the other way around. Everything is meticulously taken care of so that it demands to the teams a concrete performance.

For this reason, Fire Strike was the main test of 3DMark for several years. However, by being "half-obsolete" for the new technological demands, now that position is held by Time Spy , which is considerably more demanding.

Next we will talk about each test individually.

Time Spy

Currently, the Time Spy test is the most demanding basic test and is a benchmark based on DirectX 12 . It tests our computer in different novel aspects such as asynchronous calculation, explicit multi-adapter or multi-threaded processes. Also, the native running resolution is 2460 × 1440 , which many know as 2K or 1440p .

After the main test we will have three more: two for the graphics card and one for the processor and each one requires different aspects of the components. For example, the graphical tests have a lot of transparent objects, particle shadows or volumetric lighting with advance stripes with hundreds of lights.

While not many games take advantage of having multiple cores available, more and more titles implement it. It is only a matter of time before this becomes the norm.

Currently, the champion of Time Spy is a user from Samoa named K | NGP | M with 38, 665 points, just 2, 000 more than the second.

Fire strike

Fire Strike has been the main basic test of this program for many years , but it has already been replaced by Time Spy. Unlike its younger brother, it is built on DirectX 11 , but don't underestimate it as it is capable of testing even top-overclocked computers. The native running resolution is 1920 × 1080 , which most users use.

The main test has many areas where volumetric illumination and particles abound. Other effects such as smoke simulations or dynamic particle lighting are tested in both the main and specific tests.

However, instead of having a test for the processor we will have a physical test. In it, 32 parallel simulations of white and rigid bodies will be started, yes, all executed in the CPU .

Finally, as icing on the cake we will have a test where we combine the technologies of the beginning with the physical ones of the second part. In this way we demand the maximum of both the GPU and the CPU .

The user who maintains the first position is the same as the previous one. Samoan user K | NGP | M He is first with 59, 386 points, 6, 000 above the second medalist.

Night raid

Once we have crossed the border of the basic benchmarks for desktops, we move on to some lighter ones.

In the right column we have mainly general information of the program. Our current version, the license (if we had it) and the purchase option if not. On the other hand, we have a list with all the available tests, being the inaccessible those with available updates.

Before going to the last section, we have to inform you that we have more options, but for each benchmark. Each of the tests we have seen have special settings, but they are only accessible if you have the full version of 3DMark .

Final words on 3DMark

We have already told you about this program more than once and we have told you how good it is for benchmarks. It is a fairly complete program , simple to use and very intuitive for most users, so we recommend it completely.

Whether you are a newbie to the topic or an expert overclocker, 3DMark can be your foundation stone for most chores. However, if you are this second category of users we would recommend you to unlock all the features by getting the paid version. Things like the stress test can be really useful for you.

We also like to talk about the culture that 3DMark has around the global score rankings. The most enthusiastic users change their teams in every possible way to achieve the best results and this is reflected in the podiums of each benchmark.

It is common for them to use sub-zero refrigeration, extreme overclocking, and other techniques that put the equipment at risk. However, in return they get the merit and satisfaction of beating a brand that seemed unbeatable.

And to you, what do you think of 3DMark and its benchmarks? What functionality would you add to it if you could? Share your ideas in the comment box.

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