If we have a powerful computer or have just purchased one, it is important and useful to be able to perform performance tests on the GPU , especially if we are going to use it to play games. In this way we can verify its capacity and real power. Therefore, today we are going to see what programs we can use to benchmark our GPU and thus be able to measure its power in order to know first-hand what its real performance is.
In general, what is popularly known as a benchmark is nothing more than comparative performance tests that are carried out within the components of a computer equipment. Through these tests, we can measure the performance of the memory, the GPU or the processor, as well as the consumption or the temperatures they reach. The results are expressed as a score that is used to compare them with other components that perform the same function.
However, when it comes to testing the GPU, the most widespread measurement is the frames per second (FPS), which is responsible for measuring the number of frames that the graphics card is capable of processing per unit of time. That is why the goal of any graphics card is always to achieve the highest amount of FPS , so that we get a more fluid image without noticing the transition of movements through our eyes.
Once the benchmark has been performed, we must know how to interpret its results. To do this, when we talk about a graphics card we must also take into account that the performance we get from it will depend to a great extent on the rest of the hardware of our computer , such as the CPU, memory and storage.
If you want to analyze, measure and compare the performance of the GPU, we will tell you below which programs are the most useful for benchmarking and performance tests.
Programs for benchmarking
3DMark, the most famous and popular
It is the most famous program in the world for benchmarking both graphics cards and computer and mobile processor. To do this, it is responsible for putting the performance of CPU and GPU into play with 3D graphics and physics from more than 15 tests. With this tool we can numerically check the performance of our GPU with respect to the rest of the world since it has a worldwide ranking with all the scores. In these scores, it gives us information about the dimensionless score that we obtain in the CPU and GPU independently. In addition, we will obtain the average FPS of each test. Its main drawback is that it is a paid software , so to obtain the tests with the greatest impact, we will have to pay for them.
If we want to try 3DMark we can download its Basic Edition version from Steam, which is completely free. If we want to try the more advanced options, we must opt for the Advanced Edition version that has a price of $ 29.99.
Unigine Superposition, benchmarks with UNIGINE 2 Engine
This program has been created to be able to test the performance of our equipment , and for this it uses the graphic engine called UNIGINE 2 Engine. With this application we can perform different types of benchmarks. Among its main features we find the possibility of performing extreme tests of hardware stability , monitoring of the temperature and the GPU clock, virtual reality experience and free exploitation mode with minigames. It also has a stress option focused on checking that the graphics and processor perform under a lot of work . Of course, it may not be a program with a very wide range of settings, especially compared to other options such as 3DMark. We also miss that some features such as rankings are not open to all people and are reduced to their advanced version.
You can download the Basic version of Unigine Superposition completely free from its website . If we want to enjoy the improvements of its Advanced version, we can purchase it for $ 19.95.
PassMark, perform form tests simultaneously or separately
This program is in charge of collecting up to eleven different types of tests, which can be executed simultaneously or separately for the different types of components of our PC. Among them, it has 6 tests for a 3D representation to check the characteristics of each component. Therefore, we can test the CPU, RAM, hard disk, as well as our graphics card with 2D and 3D tests. Each of these tests will yield a score that we can compare with other components within its own database. Its main disadvantage is that it does not offer too detailed information as if they offer other more specific programs, but at least the one provided is quite useful.
PassMark is a commercial application so we have to pay for its license if we want to use it. Its starting price is $ 59 for its Standard version. If we want to try it, it also offers a free trial version for 30 days that we can download from its official website .
VRMark, focused on virtual reality
It is an application for benchmarking focused on virtual reality . It is responsible for generating two scenarios simultaneously on the screen, which will be responsible for measuring the performance of our graphics card , giving it a score, as well as a FPS rate and performance graphics . It also includes its own ranking and database, so that we can compare the performance of our graphics card with respect to other users around the world. Its main disadvantage is that we will need to pay for this application if we want to access all its functions.
VRMark has a Basic version that we can download for free from its website and that offers a demo version to test our graph and check if it is ready for VR. It also has an Advanced edition with advanced features for a price of $ 19.99.
MSI Afterburner, complete program to monitor graphics
This complete tool created by MSI, works with all types of graphics cards and is used for overclocking. That is why it is one of the most complete programs to monitor our graph. It offers a high control of our graphics, reporting in detail all the hardware, monitoring all the parameters that affect the graphics card such as: clock speed, RAM use, fan speed and CPU use. In addition, it also allows us to create different overclocking profiles , thanks to which we can increase the performance of our computer. Despite being a very complete program, many users may miss a better translation or adjustment of the texts in some sections as it can make it difficult to understand.
MSI Afterburner is a completely free program that we can download from its official website .
Unigine Heaven, a benchmark classic
It is a program developed in 2009 by Unigine to measure the performance of our graphics card, focusing on its performance through 3D animations . Despite its age, many users use it to measure the performance of their graphics. In addition, it includes its own rendering engine with which we can configure its graphic quality by modifying parameters such as Antialiasing or the API itself. Its main disadvantage is that it does not support DirectX 12 nor does it have support for resolutions higher than FullHD in its free version.
If you want to try Unigine Heaven, you can download it for free in its Gamer version from its website. You can also purchase its Overclocker version with additional functions for $ 14.95.
FurMark, check the status of the graphics card
This is a program developed to determine the state of our graphics card , performing stress and stability tests. To do this, it is capable of performing tests that run in a loop for hours, to check if everything works correctly or if there are problems with it. In addition, it has the GPU-Z function, as well as others such as GPU Shark or stress tests for the CPU. With stress tests we will not be able to risk our graph and, instead, it will allow us to verify the stability of our graph and its components. It also has a graphical temperature monitor to optimize chassis cooling. Its main drawback is that it has little information for inexperienced users, so it will be necessary to have certain knowledge to use it.
We can download FurMark for free from its official website.
Games that incorporate their own benchmarks
In addition to these programs to test our graphics card, we can also use their own benchmarks for graphics that include many games such as Final Fantasy XV, Metro Exodus, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, among others. In this way, we can evaluate directly from the game, the performance of all our hardware with a specific graphics configuration.
Despite this, many users distrust these performance tests. This is because the benchmarks included in games are usually limited to scenes with a high cinematic level. This bypasses the more intense action sequences and without scenes with a large number of characters on screen. This can lead to the results obtained being unreliable. And there is nothing better than playing a game to see its performance first hand.
