A 3D benchmark tests the maximum capabilities of graphics hardware and can be done with benchmarking software or in a real application. Different types of tests can be performed, but raw numbers may not determine real-world performance. Using a real-world program for benchmarking may not access the full functionality of a graphics card. Benchmark software uses a specific operating system and graphics library, so results may not be comparable between different software versions or graphics libraries.
A three-dimensional (3D) benchmark in computer graphics is one or more tests performed on a graphics card or graphics accelerator hardware to show the maximum capabilities of the hardware. Testing can be done by dedicated benchmarking software or it can be done in a more real environment by measuring performance within a real application not necessarily designed as a 3D benchmark. There are many types of benchmark tests, ranging from rendering multiple complex geometric objects as quickly as possible to reading, writing, and copying data from graphics memory to your graphics card, and checking for speed and accuracy. In many cases, a 3D benchmark involves testing the actual graphics hardware in a system and the connection between the central processing unit (CPU), floating point unit (FPU), and sometimes access memory primary system RAM (RAM), all of which can affect the final rendering speed.
One purpose of a 3D benchmark is to test the superior capabilities of a computer system when used to render 3D graphics. There are different types of 3D graphics applications that may rely on different feature sets, so a dedicated 3D benchmark program will usually test as many features as possible. The numerical results of these tests aren’t always useful, however, because raw numbers—such as how many vectors can be transformed in a second—are relatively meaningless in determining real-world performance. Some benchmarking programs, however, calculate an overall score so that all computer systems using the same software can compare scores to see how one system configuration compares to another. These scores can be useful and are sometimes used in professional product reviews, although they can also be misleading, especially if some of the features contributing to the score are rarely or never used in real-world applications.
An alternative way to run a 3D benchmark is to use a real-world program such as a video game or rendering software that uses 3D graphics heavily. These programs generally have a way of showing the number of frames per second being displayed. By setting all rendering options to their highest quality settings, frames per second can serve as a benchmark score for comparison with different configurations or different systems using the same program. Using an actual program for benchmarking, however, generally does not access the full functionality of a graphics card and may not present a full assessment of capabilities as a dedicated benchmarking program would.
In most cases, 3D benchmark software uses a specific operating system and a specific graphics library and drivers to run the tests. Many operating systems and drivers are updated regularly, so benchmark results are usually not comparable between different software versions. Also, depending on the drivers and type of graphics hardware installed, benchmark results from one type of graphics library, such as OpenGL®, could be very different from another, such as DirectX®, even on the same computer.
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