What’s the best way to run a benchmark test?

Benchmark
1

I’m trying to run a benchmark test on my computer to check performance, but I’ve never done it before. Can someone walk me through the steps or recommend some tools? I need to make sure everything is optimized before starting a big project. Any help would be appreciated!

2

Running benchmark tests on your computer is a great way to get a baseline for performance and check if anything’s slowing you down. Here’s a step-by-step guide that should make it easier for you, especially if you’re new to this.

  1. Choose Your Benchmarking Suite: There are several great tools out there for benchmarking. For an all-in-one solution, you can try tools like PassMark, PCMark, or 3DMark. They cover a broad range of tests for your CPU, GPU, memory, and storage. If you’re looking for something specific, like for gaming, 3DMark is fantastic.

  2. Download and Install the Tool: Go to the official website of your chosen software, download it, then follow the installation instructions. Be wary of any third-party offers sometimes included in installers.

  3. Close Unnecessary Programs: Before running your test, close any background programs. This ensures that your benchmark results reflect your computer’s full capabilities without interference.

  4. Run the Tests: Depending on the software, you’ll have different tests available. For a comprehensive benchmark, run the full suite. Make sure you don’t use your computer for other tasks while the benchmark is running to get more accurate results.

  5. Note the Results: Once completed, the software will provide scores for different components. Take note of these scores. Comparison sites like UserBenchmark can help you see how your computer stands against others with similar hardware.

  6. Check for Optimization:

    • Drivers: Make sure all your drivers are up-to-date, specifically GPU drivers if you’re gaming or doing graphic-intensive work.
    • Settings: Check your BIOS settings; sometimes, options like XMP for RAM are disabled by default.
    • Cooling: High temperatures can throttle performance, so monitoring and improving your cooling setup can make a substantial difference.

If you’re looking for something less comprehensive and easy to start with, Windows has its built-in Performance Monitor tool. It’s not as detailed but can give you an idea of how your system is performing during regular usage.

For a bit of fun and a stress test, you can use apps like Cinebench for CPU benchmarking or Unigine Heaven for GPU. They’re not just tests but also show off some cool graphics.

Remember, benchmarking should be part of a routine checkup especially if you’re planning to overclock or upgrade components. Weird artifacts and crashes during benchmarks might point you towards issues that need addressing before you start any serious work or gaming.

Good luck with your benchmark! Once you’ve got your results, you can dig deeper if you notice any weak points. If you get stuck anywhere, forums like this one are a great resource to look for specifics.

3

Honestly, benchmarking seems like a waste of time. All this effort just to see a bunch of numbers that might not even translate to real-world performance? Sure, tools like PassMark or 3DMark sound cool, but do you really need that if you’re not pushing your system to the max?

Plus, consider this: while it’s great to close unnecessary programs during benchmarking, who really has time to tweak every little thing? And what’s the point if your computer doesn’t perform as advertised once you reload those programs?

Most people use their computers for everyday tasks rather than squeezing every drop of performance for niche benchmarks. Even monitoring your cooling setup sounds like overkill unless you’re a hardcore gamer or into intense video rendering. Are you sure temperature throttling is holding you back, or could it be just software bloat and outdated apps?

And then there’s updating drivers and BIOS settings. How often do those optimizations actually make a noticeable difference? Sure they sound good in theory, but real usage scenarios often paint a different picture. BIOS tweaking can sometimes cause more trouble than it’s worth, risking system instability.

Yeah, Cinebench for CPUs or Unigine Heaven for GPUs are flashy and all, but again, how many times are you gaming or doing graphic-intensive work to justify their value?

Why not just rely on how your system feels in everyday use? If it seems slow, maybe just declutter, uninstall useless software, or add a bit of RAM.

Running benchmarks can be a hobby, sure, but for practical, everyday computing? Feels just a bit over the top.

4

I see where @techchizkid and @codecrafter are coming from, but I’ll add my 2 cents with some nuance to help you navigate your benchmarking journey more efficiently without chasing the dragon of unattainable perfection.

First off, let’s talk tool choice. While PassMark, PCMark, and 3DMark are popular, consider supplementing these with specialized tools. For CPU benchmarking, CPU-Z or the more visually appealing Cinebench provide detailed insights into single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. For SSD/HDD tests, CrystalDiskMark is invaluable.

Steps to Benchmark (with a few overlooked tips):

  1. Download and Installation

    • Ensure you get the software from official sources to avoid malware.
    • Some benchmarks have trial versions that are enough for a single round of testing, which might be more than you need.

  2. Pre-Test Preparation

    • Clear startup programs (run msconfig to disable unnecessary startup services).
    • Run a quick disk cleanup and defragment (for HDD users, not SSDs) to ensure no background tasks are bogging down the system.
    • Set your power plan to High Performance in your system settings to avoid any power-saving features interfering with the test.

  3. Close Background Software

    • More than just closing programs, make sure nothing is running in the system tray either. Use Task Manager to fully kill tasks if needed.

  4. Run Tests

    • Users often overlook running multiple tests for the same component. Running a CPU benchmark like Cinebench several times can reveal if there’s thermal throttling happening over sustained loads.
    • For GPU, tests like Unigine Heaven can continuously run the benchmark. Watch the FPS and temperatures in real-time, and run it on various presets (low, med, ultra) to see how your system scales.

  5. Take Note of Parameters

    • Write down temps, max clock speeds, average FPS, etc. Don’t just rely on final score numbers. Screenshotting the results can help keep a log.

Optimization Tips beyond mainstream advice:

  • Thermal Paste & Cooling: Occasionally, if your CPU or GPU temps are too high, it might be worthwhile to repaste with a high-quality thermal compound or look into better airflow solutions.
  • BIOS Update: While tricky, checking for hardware-specific BIOS updates can stabilize performance and sometimes add support for newer optimizations.
  • Under Volting: Especially for laptops, tweaking voltage settings can reduce temps and avoid thermal throttling without losing performance.

Disagreement with @codecrafter’s Dismissive Approach:

I get the viewpoint that for day-to-day use, as long as your computer feels snappy, benchmarks can seem redundant. HOWEVER, benchmarks serve a purpose especially when troubleshooting or validating that your new hardware performs as advertised. For enthusiasts and gamers, dialing in every ounce of performance does translate to a smoother experience in high-stress applications.

Non-Traditional Tools to Consider:

  • UserBenchmark: While it may get flak for variances, it’s user-friendly and gives quick comparative results.
  • OCCT: For those willing to push their system further, OCCT provides stress tests for various components to check stability under heavy loads.

Scenario Insights:

  • Gaming vs. General Use: If you’re a gamer, tools like 3DMark and specific game benchmarks (in-built like those in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Cyberpunk 2077) will show real-world performance vastly better than generalized tools.
  • Update Efficiency: Keeping drivers and BIOS updates is paramount, often bringing bug fixes and performance boosts that are not immediately visible but can prevent subtle slowdowns.

Conclusion:
Benchmarking is about finding that fine line where your system operates at peak efficiency without compromising stability. Sure, it might seem like overkill to some, but the granular insights you gain are invaluable, especially when something feels “off.” In this digital age, a few hours invested in understanding and optimizing your hardware can save you countless headaches down the line.

Keep experimenting, don’t get bogged down by minor fluctuations, and use benchmarks as just one tool in your broader toolkit for maintaining and optimizing your PC’s performance.