Benchmark: what is it, how is it done and what are they for?

What is a

If we enter Wikipedia , there are numerous definitions for what a benchmark is.

On the one hand, in business and finance one of its meanings refers to the method by which companies compare each other. They study the best virtues of a company (either outside or their own) and are shared to improve. On the other hand, there is the term Benchmark price , which is nothing other than the reference prices established by each country, company or union.

However, the meaning we want to explain is more related to the sciences and is that it welcomes its root idea quite well. It is something that you have seen numerous times in reviews of peripherals and computer parts and you can find some like this:

The word Benchmark could be understood as anglicism (like parking) and literally means brand on the bench (work).

This refers to the marks that were made and made in some workbenches to compare and measure objects between them. Well, in computing, the benchmark that we understand is somewhat similar, but applied to electronic devices and components.

What is done is one or more controlled tests where. Normally, the device or component is put to work at maximum. Later we collect its overall performance and translate it into a score (sometimes in seconds, or just points) .

To see it more clearly, in this last example, the test that the component is subjected to would be the table / workbench and the resulting score would be the mark we make. Once we have this information, we can repeat the process as many times as we want with other devices. Thus, we will have a database with the most efficient or most powerful or most profitable components / devices, depending on how we classify them.

How do benchmarks work?

There are tests for all kinds of devices and depending on what we want to test, the test will be based on one thing or another.

For example, to compare processors a very famous program is Cinebench, where the calculation and processing of images by sections is worked.

This test has two main variants (R15 and R20) in mono and multi-core versions and the important thing is that it is a very demanding test with CPUs . This program was used by AMD several times in presentations where they compared Ryzen's 3rd generation with some Intel processors.

On the other hand, 3DMark is a name that is repeated a lot when we name the culture of benchmarking and it is no coincidence.

This, just like other programs of the UL Benchmarks group, are capable of testing a large number of devices in different aspects. We can find tests for gaming computers, mobiles, tablets or laptops and each one will tell you what technology it is based on (for example DirectX 11) .

Practical example

We want to know the difference between the RTX 2060 and the RTX 2060 SUPER . For this we will have to select a series of tests that subject them to work like some of 3DMark . It is very important that our workbench is always the same, otherwise the differences can be produced by different variables.

Once we have selected what test we want to do, we submit the two builds to the above. Obviously, the only difference between the two must be the graph. As you will understand, the difference in scores will be completely influenced by the change between pieces.

However, we still have small fluctuations that can be caused by different sections that are not just performance. For example, there may be some compatibility between components or a part performs much better with a certain combination of technologies.

What is the use of benchmarking ?

In computing, benchmarks are used primarily to determine the performance of a certain piece or piece of equipment. With this we can say which product is better than another and have certain ideas of why.

This is especially relevant in the field of reviews, where we often compare graphics, processors or others with the same or similar structure. "Which graphic is better ASUS ROG or msi?" Although the two graphics have the same characteristics, there is always that small difference resulting from the cooling, the drivers or another unknown section.

Of course, we must take into account that each test tests different sections, so the scores will fluctuate. Perhaps in FireStrike Ultra the Radeon VII gets more points than the RTX 2080 SUPER , but in Fire Strike the exact opposite occurs.

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Not surprisingly, there is also another branch of the benchmark world focused more on competition. It's kind of quirky, but just as true as the world of competitive overclocking.

The same scores that programs put in when measuring equipment are those that users take for their rankings. We already talked about it in our article on 3DMark , where each test has a large number of applicants for the number one position.

The users who hold the first positions are real beasts, since they infinitely customize their equipment to squeeze every last drop of efficiency. It is not uncommon to see semi-disassembled components, sub-zero cooling or outright overclocking.

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Final words on benchmarks

Benchmarking is a vital section for the world of computing and is something innate in the nature of its users.

If all the tools and memories about benchmarking were to disappear, others would probably appear in a matter of days. It would be the most logical, since it is normal for people to want to know which product is more powerful, efficient or profitable than another.

What we can have for sure is that this world will never become obsolete. The coming of new technologies will bring new tests with them, such as Port Royal , a recently created Ray Tracing test .

Likewise, new components will be created and will give way to new levels of power, which will continue to fuel the rankings. We have seen something like this with the output of the RTX 2080 Ti , which holds a large part of the 3DMark Hall of Fame stalls.

Finally, if you want to carry out your own benchmarks, we recommend the two tools that we have repeated numerous times in this article. On the one hand, for processors you have Cinebench , while for other tasks (graphics, laptops, mobiles) you have 3DMark . Although they are paid, there are free versions that offer you a good number of tests.

Have you ever benchmarked? Would you try to enter the rankings of any 3DMark test? Share your ideas below.

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