11. 3DMark05

As its name implies, FutureMark's 3DMark05 test suite focuses on the graphics capabilities of computers. There are three basic benchmarks: Games tests, CPU tests and feature tests.

Within the Games tests there are three subtests, each of which tests different aspects and levels of complexity in various gaming graphics environments. 3DMark05 reports an overall Games tests score, as well as the average number of frames per second achieved during each subtest. The three gaming scenarios are named:

Proxycon is a classic shoot-em-up type game set in a futuristic environment. Fire Forest, the most complex graphically, involves a firefly moving through a dense and very ecologically diverse forest. In Canyon Flight, a powered sailing ship that flies through the air suspended under a balloon encounters a gigantic dragon while navigating though a graphically complex canyon.

The CPU tests measure CPU performance using specific segments from the Games tests. There are two CPU subtests, the results of which are reported as an overall score. Frames per second are also calculated for each of the two subtests.

The Features tests provide detailed measures in the areas of single- and multi-texturing fill rate, pixel shading and simple and complex vertex shading. These tests are valuable, but we feel that the Games and CPU tests adequately summarize the performance of a computer's graphics subsystem.

We report the summary scores for the Games (the 3DMark05 Score) and CPU tests. Additionally, we report the results for the three gaming scenarios in frames per second. Because computer graphics systems and supporting components tend to respond differently depending on the resolution of the display being tested, we run the 3DMark05 Games and CPU tests at both the graphics system's highest resolution, as well as a resolution of 1024x768. Generally scores will be higher at 1024x768 than at the computer's highest resolution.

As with the PCMark05 tests, the 3DMark05 Score and CPU Score were scaled to reflect scores obtained by what were considered entry and high-end systems at the time 3DMark05 was developed. The range at that time was 1000 to 5000. Like PCMark05 scores, 3DMark05 scores have reached beyond 5000 as computer and graphics hardware has gotten better and faster. As with PCMark05, we will adjust the score range on our charts as we obtain test results beyond 5000.

Some mobile computers either do not have graphics subsystems that can support the 3DMark05 tests. Others can support the tests, but perform poorly because their graphics subsystems and processors are slow. These often achieve 3DMark05 scores in the 200 - 600 range and frames per second rates that hover around 1. In this case we report only the overall 3DMark05 score, noting that the particular computer under test is not suited to more intense 3D graphics applications.

As with the other three test suites, we run 3DMark05 on Windows XP SP2. It also requires Microsoft Media Player 10 and Microsoft Media Encoder 9. We use the same system and Windows settings as for SYSmark 2004 SE; you can find these above ("Preparing for and Running SYSmark 2004 SE").

For more on 3DMark05 see this white paper.