The benchmark software makes it simple and easy to measure the desktop’s performance and helps in diagnosing issues related to hardware components.
This is especially important when building your own PC, or else when looking to upgrade your existing one by comparing processors and other options. The best overclocking software makes sure that internal components are functioning at their optimal level.
A typical benchmarking application assesses three core factors: clock speeds, temperatures, and voltage. It also records the rendered frames per second and compares them to these parameters to grade your desktop’s average performance.
Running a proper benchmark can help you gauge your desktop’s overall productivity, diagnose issues with hardware components, and even overclock your rig for the best results. If you are having trouble picking the best benchmark software for your PC, our expert guide is here to rescue you.
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5 Best PC Benchmark Software To Test CPU and GPU
Here are the 5 best PC benchmark programs all designed to test your computer’s performance.
1. Userbenchmark
UserBenchmark offers a free all-in-one suite that can be used to benchmark your CPU, GPU, SSD, HDD, RAM, and even USB to help you pick the best hardware for your needs. The software is built by a team of engineers as a passion project rather than a corporate offering.
Apart from generating a slew of data alongside the net score of your hardware, it offers suggestions on how to improve performance. Every single hardware component is graded specifically based on its performance in the tests, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where your desktop is underperforming.
Users should keep in mind, however, that there are a lot of controversies involving this software. The team has repeatedly come under heavy criticism for personal attacks against tech journalists, while the benchmarks themselves have been accused of rigging the tests(opens in new tab) to put one hardware company in front of the other.
2. HWMonitor
HWMonitor brands itself as a hardware monitoring solution rather than a benchmarking application. However, it is one of the most used tools among gamers. The software features a simple interface that clearly displays your computer’s voltage, power consumption, temperature, clock speeds, and fan speeds.
HWMonitor is particularly useful if you are trying to figure out why your desktop is heating up. High temperatures are one of the most common reasons behind frequent shutdowns, and HWMonitor can help you diagnose the issue by recording your CPU and GPU temperatures under different settings and varying degrees of load.
HWMonitor’s classic version is the most popular and is available for free. However, there is also a more powerful paid version that is capable of monitoring devices remotely and has an improved interface for power users. It allows for up to 20 remote connections and comes with 2 years of free updates.
3. Fraps
If you want GPU benchmark software then FRAPS is the best choice. The FRAPS benchmarking tool is a famous PC utility. To test how well the PC game runs on your system you can easily check real-time frames per second.
As compared to the other PC benchmark software the FRAPS doesn’t have a CPU speed test or GPU stress test. FRAPS can only check the current FPS rate of the game that you are running. You can use this video card benchmark software as an indicator telling you how well your system handles particular games.
To use it download FRAPS and start the app now run any particular games. When the game starts, you will see FRAP doing frame rate counting in the corner of the screen. It is the best benchmark software. You can record videos of FRAPS activity or take screenshots using the hotkey.
This PC benchmarking program is very light and easy to use. FRAP doesn’t consume system resources so you don’t experience any crashes while playing the game.
Fraps software is specialized in GPU benchmarking so if you don’t want graphics benchmark software. Then it’s not the best choice for someone who isn’t playing games on their computer. But if you are a PC gamer then Fraps can give you important statistics & benchmark games.
4. 3DMark | Popular gaming benchmark suite that’s handy for overclockers
3DMark is one of the top benchmarking suites when it comes to putting your PC through its paces in terms of gaming performance. The package includes many gaming benchmarks that you’ll likely recognize the name of, including 3DMark Fire Strike (an older DX11 test), Time Spy (DX12), and Port Royal (ray tracing) among others.
All of these benchmarks will give you a score and allow you to compare that result with other PCs using the same (or indeed different) hardware components, letting you know how well you’re doing compared to other 3DMark users – which there are plenty of – and perhaps giving you the opportunity to see if your system needs to be tweaked. Furthermore, you get some estimated frame rate performance figures for a selection of popular games provided by 3DMark, too.
And of course, these benchmarks are going to be useful for anyone looking into overclocking their rig – plus 3DMark gives you the ability to stress test the stability of your overclock (by running a looped benchmark over and over).
3DMark offers a free demo (which you can download on Steam) to check out its benchmarking capabilities for yourself.
5. CineBench | CPU-centric benchmarking solution at its best
If you are looking for a comprehensive performance evaluation for your CPU and GPU, CineBench has you covered. The free software is available on most platforms and uses image rendering tasks to grade your rig’s capabilities.
Cinebench grades CPU and OpenGL performance using 4D image rendering tests. It is particularly useful for high-end systems that scale beyond the purview of typical benchmarking software. The reports it generates are practical and based on real-world performance, dedicated to people involved in the content creation market.
The best part of Cinebench’s comprehensive 4D rendering evaluation is that it makes use of all your CPU’s available cores, stressing it to the very limit of its hardware. The product is very useful when you’re trying to build a high-end computer and need recommendations on what components to use.
6. Geekbench | One of the best benchmarking applications for Windows
Geekbench is one of the best benchmarking applications for Windows, but it’s also available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux.
It benchmarks your CPU through a variety of different tests, including a few that rely on newer applications like augmented reality and machine learning. For GPUs, Geekbench enables you to utilize a range of APIs, including OpenCL, CUDA, Metal, and even Vulkan. The benchmarking application also boasts the unique ability to perform cross-platform benchmark comparisons, which you can use to compare your Apple iPhone to your Android device, or your Windows computer to a Mac.
Geekbench is available on Windows, macOS, or Linux. You can buy a license that will let you run the software on either of three platforms for a single user. Geekbench Pro is a professional-grade solution that lets you use the software commercially and features command-line tools and a standalone mode.
7. MSI Kombustor
MSI Kombustor is another amazing free benchmarking program. You can easily test your CPU and GPU performance with this utility. Sometimes users benchmark their PC without knowing. This only increases the risk of system failure but with MSI Kombustor you don’t need to worry.
This PC benchmark program automatically handles the PC when users try to overload it. You can also easily manage Kombustor and monitor the system’s components’ results.
The interface of this free benchmark tool is straightforward and uncomplicated. Once you download MSI Kombustor it displays basic details. Kombustor is very flexible when it comes to the GPU or CPU benchmark test. You can perform a CPU stress test in three 3D modules either by trying Wavy Plane (GL2), Fractal Frame (GL3), or Triangle of Death (GL2).
MSI’s Kombustor also puts higher loads than any other PC benchmark software tool. For gaming, the benchmark runs a full-screen resolution test to put more load on GPU. You can also run a memory burner test. For overclocked PC this is the best benchmark software.
The MSI Kombustor is beneficial for those users who play heavy graphics games or photo editing software.
8. MSI Afterburner | A must-have for overclocking your GPU
MSI Afterburner is a must-have software for anyone who wants to overclock their graphics card. It is completely GPU-centric, with no support for CPUs, but the amount of control it provides is what makes it truly remarkable.
MSI Afterburner works with any GPU regardless of its brand. Not only does it give you detailed hardware specifications for your graphics card, but it also gives you full control over your GPU, including aspects like fan speeds, voltage, and clock speeds. The software also features an FPS counter that lets you measure your GPU performance in real time.
MSI Afterburner is a free utility. If you are looking for gold-standard software to safely overclock your GPU, it is the only tool you will need.
9. PassMark PerformanceTest | Best for testing the GPU carrying out 2D graphics operations.
PassMark PerformanceTest is a software program that empowers clients to benchmark their desktop CPU, 2D and 3D designs, hard disk, RAM, and more. It’s viable with Windows 10 and older, including Windows 7 and Windows XP.
PassMark PerformanceTest’s functionality of the 3D rotating motherboard model gives you an outline of your system segments. You can tap into every segment for additional insights regarding it.
PassMark PerformanceTest provides the facility of comparing the PC with millions of computers worldwide. PerformanceTest gives the overall ratings after running the test. The product has 32 standard benchmarks. It accompanies eight further windows through which you can set up custom benchmarks.
10. NovaBench | Best computer benchmark for processor, memory, hard drive
Novabench is free for non-commercial use. It supports Windows systems to test the system’s processor, RAM, plate, and video card execution. The program is offered as an 80 Megabyte file you need to install on the objective system.
You get alternatives to run all tests on the double, or just explicit tests by choosing them from the tests menu at the top. The benchmark run time is short. It requires about a moment to run all tests.
Displays general information about the tested system apart from scores. It saves all the results that can be accessed later from the Saved benchmark link. It can compare the computer’s performance with the other computer’s performance score by Novabench. It can perform CPU tests, GPU tests, RAM tests, and Desk tests
