The Best Benchmarking Software for Accurate Hardware Performance Testing

Selecting the best benchmarking software is essential for gaining accurate insights into your hardware’s performance. Whether you’re evaluating a GPU, CPU, or an entire system, each tool provides distinct advantages. This guide will help you identify key factors to consider, ensuring you choose the benchmark that best suits your needs. 

Please note that the purpose of this article is not to highlight or advertise specific products, nor to make a comparison between them. By using them properly and setting the expectations to the right level, all tools can offer useful information. 

For many users, finding the best benchmarking software involves selecting tools that provide the most relevant metrics for their specific needs.  

Benchmarks can be used for various purposes. Some people use them to measure their hardware’s performance, while others want to see how it compares to similar models. There are also those who like to check how their device stacks up against others with the same specs. But the most important thing to decide before you head to Google and start searching for a benchmarking tool is – what do I want to benchmark, and what device do I want to run it on? 

What to Look for in a Benchmarking Software

What you want to measure with a benchmark can vary quite a bit. For most people, the key metric is frame rate (FPS). In many graphics’ benchmarks, the final score is often tied to the average FPS. 

That said, some benchmarks go beyond FPS. They can give insights into performance improvements with specific algorithms like DLSS or FSR, power consumption, GPU utilization, clock speeds, compute power or even temperature.  Keep in mind that not all benchmarks provide the same metrics, so you may need to choose based on what matters most to you. 

It is also important to note that most metrics are to some extent interconnected. Absolute performance depends on how these various factors work together, so it’s important to look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on one number alone. 

Choosing the Right Benchmarking Software for Your Device

Benchmarking tools are usually designed with specific devices or components in mind. Some focus on evaluating CPUs, batteries, or entire systems, while others target GPUs. Knowing what a tool is built for and the type of device it’s targeting – is essential. For example, GPU benchmarks might cater specifically to desktops and laptops, or mobile devices. 

You will often find different versions of the same benchmark tailored for various device categories. That is because different devices may have different requirements and characteristics, such as smartphone versus desktop GPU. A less common approach for benchmark providers to offer cross-platform benchmarks. Cross-platform benchmarks let you test and compare performance across different device types and environments, e.g. a PC versus an Android phone. Examples of such benchmarks include Breaking Limit or Sacred Path. 

People run benchmarks for a variety of reasons, from understanding hardware performance to optimizing software. If you want to learn more about why benchmarking matters, check out our article: The Purpose of GPU Benchmarking. 

Benchmarking your device is an essential step to understanding its capabilities and maximizing performance. It provides valuable insights into how well your system handles demanding tasks and helps you make informed decisions when it comes to optimizations and device upgrades. 

Whether you are analyzing GPU performance on a desktop, checking power consumption on a smartphone, or testing a tablet’s capabilities, choosing the best benchmark software can make all the difference. Below, we’ve listed top benchmarking tools to help you find the one that fits your needs. 

GPUScore by Basemark

Website: https://www.gpuscore.com/ 

GPUScore provides a comprehensive suite of advanced gaming benchmarks designed for a wide range of devices, from mobile platforms to high-performance desktops. Since 2015, Basemark’s graphics benchmarking division, now known as GPUScore, has been at the forefront of developing accurate and reliable GPU benchmarks.  

Pro’s  

• Offers a broad range of benchmarks, including cross-platform, mobile & desktop-specific options, and ray tracing benchmarks.  
• All benchmarks are free to download and use for noncommercial purposes 
• Great alternative benchmark 

Con’s 

• Not as widely recognized as some other benchmark providers 

3DMark (PCMark)

Website: https://www.3dmark.com/ 

3DMark, developed by UL, is one of the most well-known names in the benchmarking world. Since its release in 2013, 3DMark has continually updated its suite with new stress tests and feature tests. Whether you’re a gamer or just want to understand how your hardware performs under load, 3DMark provides reliable insights into GPU and system performance.  

Pro’s 

• Established and well-known benchmark provider 
• Have a wide range of benchmarks, including cross-platform and ray tracing benchmarks 
• Offers feature tests for specific graphics features 

Con’s 

• Limited free access to benchmarks 

Unigine Benchmarks

Website: https://benchmark.unigine.com/ 

Established in 2005, Unigine Benchmark provides solutions for various 3D technologies, including visualization, simulations, and virtual reality systems. GPU benchmarks are one of their primary offerings, with Superposition being among the most popular. 

Pro’s 

• The basic edition of their benchmarks are free to use 
• A paid premium edition is available for enhanced features 

Con’s 

• The selection of benchmarks is somewhat limited compared to other benchmark providers 
• The latest benchmark version was released in 2017, which means it may not reflect the latest GPU technologies 

GeekBench (Primate Labs)

Website: https://www.geekbench.com/index.html 

GeekBench is a cross-platform benchmark tool that provides a comprehensive assessment of system performance. GeekBench 6 is the latest iteration and measures everything from CPU performance to GPU processing power. While not entirely focused on GPUs, its cross-platform capability makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of benchmarking tasks. 

Pro’s 

• Cross-platform capability 
• Offers a free version of Geekbench 6 
• Available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android 

Con’s 

• Limited selection of benchmarks, they have two benchmarks Geekbench 6 and Geekbench AI  

Userbenchmark

Website: https://www.userbenchmark.com/ 

UserBenchmark is an independent benchmark provider that operates without partnerships with hardware vendors or semiconductor companies. Established in 2011, UserBenchmark offers users a PC speed test to evaluate the performance of various components. 

Pro’s 

• Free to use 
• Displays extensive comparison charts with the best performing hardware based on component  

Con’s 

• Only has one benchmark that tests the performance of several components 
• It supports only PCs. 

Choosing the right benchmark software depends on your testing goals and the insights you need. Each tool has unique strengths, so understanding whether you’re testing a GPU, CPU, or full system will help you select the best fit. The right benchmarking software can provide valuable insights, helping you optimize performance and make informed decisions about upgrades.