3DMark News

Benchmarks have a natural lifespan that ends when they no longer provide meaningful results on modern hardware. When old benchmarks are used with new hardware, the results can be skewed or limited in ways that reduce their accuracy and relevance. This update marks the end of support for 3DMark Sky Diver and the API Overhead feature test.

[h2]3DMark Sky Diver [/h2]
3DMark Sky Diver is a DirectX 11 benchmark for PCs with integrated graphics. Released in 2014, it is now too lightweight for modern PCs. We recommend using 3DMark Night Raid (DirectX 12) or 3DMark Wild Life (Vulkan) to benchmark laptops, notebooks, and other systems with integrated graphics.

[h2]3DMark API Overhead feature test [/h2]
The 3DMark API Overhead feature test was released in 2015 to coincide with the launch of Windows 10 and DirectX 12. The test compares the draw call performance of graphics APIs. At launch, this was the most significant difference between older APIs and new, low-level APIs like DirectX 12 and Vulkan. Today, developers are more likely to choose a graphics API based on feature support and compatibility. Draw call performance is no longer the deciding factor. We have no plans to update or replace this test.

[h2]How to run unsupported tests[/h2]
Unsupported tests are hidden in the 3DMark app by default. If you need to run a legacy test for some reason, you can find them by going to the Benchmarks screen and using the filter option to "Show unsupported tests."

UL benchmarks use a component called SystemInfo to identify the hardware in your system. This patch updates SystemInfo to version 5.35.

• Updated GPU detection module to improve compatibility with latest hardware.
  

This is a minor update. Benchmark scores are not affected.
[h2]Improved[/h2]

• Updated SystemInfo to v5.34 to improve compatibility with latest hardware.
  

[h2]Fixed [/h2]

• The DirectX Raytracing feature test is now shown when the Raytracing filter is selected on the Benchmarks screen.
  
• Added Visual C++ 2017 redistributable to the 3DMark installer to fix an issue affecting Port Royal.
  
• Minor fixes for the 3DMark benchmark results screen.
  

We released a major update for 3DMark today that adds a new design for the benchmark results screen. With the new features we've added you can now:

1. See how your 3DMark score compares with results from other systems with the same components.
   
2. See the frame rates you can expect in a selection of popular games.
   

[h2]More than a score[/h2]
With the launch of new graphics cards from AMD and NVIDIA, 3DMark is more popular than ever. PC gamers submitted more than one million benchmark results with 3DMark last month.

But we also see many gamers asking for help with understanding their benchmark scores. That’s why we’ve spent the last few months redesigning the 3DMark result screen. We want to help you answer questions like, “Is this a good 3DMark score for my PC?” and “How does my 3DMark score relate to game performance?”

[h2]Learn more about your PC’s performance[/h2]
3DMark now shows you how your benchmark score compares with results from other systems with the same components. This makes it easy to see if your PC is performing correctly.



This new chart shows the range of scores submitted by other 3DMark users with the same combination of CPU and GPU.

The peaks in the chart show the most common scores. The green line shows your score. The blue, dotted line shows the average score for your combination of components.

If your score is close to the average, it means your PC is working as it should. A score well below the average could indicate a hardware or configuration problem. The best score gives you an idea of the overclocking potential of your setup.

[h2]Discover real-world game performance[/h2]

3DMark helps you relate your 3DMark score to real-world game performance by estimating the frame rate you can expect in a selection of popular games. This is a major new feature in this update.



This new part of the result screen shows estimated game performance based on your 3DMark score. In this first release, you can choose from five popular games:

• Apex Legends
  
• Battlefield V
  
• Fortnite
  
• GTA V
  
• Red Dead Redemption 2
  

For each game, you can choose either 1080p Ultra or 1440p Ultra settings. Ultra means using the game’s highest visual quality settings. Ray tracing options, if available, are turned off.

3DMark shows the average frame rate you can expect in the selected game. This frame rate is an estimate based on your 3DMark score and game testing performed by UL. Frame rates can vary within a game depending on the level or mode. Game updates, driver updates and system updates may also affect performance.

You can read more about estimating game performance from 3DMark scores on our website.

[h2]Available now[/h2]
The new benchmark result screen is available now in 3DMark and the 3DMark Demo. Game performance estimates are only available in the full version of 3DMark.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/223850/3DMark/

[h2]What's new in 3DMark v2.16.7094[/h2]
This is a major update that adds new features to the 3DMark benchmark results screen.

New

• Compare your 3DMark score with results from other systems with the same components.
  
• See the frame rates you can expect in a selection of popular games.

Fixed

• Fixed an issue with the GPU selector on multi-GPU systems that have outdated drivers for the secondary GPU.

This is a minor update. Benchmark scores are not affected.
[h2]Compatibility[/h2]

• Improved detection of GPU capabilities.