8 Best PC Benchmark Software in 2023
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Adnan Rehan
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Test Management
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Last updated:
January 17, 2023
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It’s always important to test the capabilities of your computer and compare your hardware, which is possible with the help of PC benchmark software.
You may want to use it for various reasons, for example, when you have assembled your own PC or when you’re planning to upgrade your existing one. It’s essential to draw comparisons between different processors and other elements when you’re looking for an upgrade, so in that regard, benchmark software is very handy.
Many tools help you test the efficiency of your computer, but you only want to choose from the best, which is why this list exists. You’ll discover only the best PC benchmark software, but before we jump into the list, let’s first get the basics right.
What does benchmarking mean? ?️
To put it in the simplest words possible, benchmarking is basically the process of putting your computer’s performance to test in order to find out the maximum capability of the system or get a clear idea of how it’s performing.
It’s a useful way of comparing different systems and coming to a conclusive decision regarding your purpose for running the tests.
Why is benchmarking important and popular in terms of PCs? ?️
Benchmarking has been an integral part of any PC’s performance because it gives a clear picture of the system’s capabilities. Whether you want to read reviews about the performance results of a new PC or you want to carry out a test on your own device, benchmarking plays a huge role in that.
It has a whole lot of benefits, such as:
- Stress-test newly assembled PC
- Pinpoint sudden performance issues
- Check if your tweaks are speeding up your device or not
If you’re someone who closely monitors the performance of your PC, then the process of benchmarking would be very important to you because you’d know if your system’s current drives are slower compared to the new models.
What aspects of a PC are tested in benchmarking? ⚙️
Benchmarking is supposed to be an in-depth overview of your PC’s internal mechanism, so the main things that are tested are CPU, GPU, SSD, thermal throttling, temperature, and even the overall stability of your computer.
With all the basics aside, let’s look at the benchmarking software you can use to carry out the tests on your PC.
Geekbench
A very simple tool but packs a lot of power, Geekbench allows cross-platform benchmarking to help you draw comparisons between different processors, devices, and operating systems.
Their “computer benchmark” helps you test your computer’s potential for heavy work like gaming, video editing, and image processing. It tests your GPU’s power, and with the introduction of Vulkan support, you can now access the cross-platform graphics and compute API.
Moreover, this tool’s CPU benchmarking helps you figure out your performance in various new applications, including machine learning and augmented reality (AR).
Not to mention, it emphasizes a lot on your processor’s single-core and multi-core power.
Geekbench has a browser that lets you share your results with the world and track them in one place.
Cinebench
Cinebench is another cross-platform solution that features a complete testing suite to assess your computer in the most detailed manner. It does an amazing job of evaluating your system’s hardware performance.
This is different from abstract benchmarks because it offers a real-world benchmark that includes your most common tasks inside cinema 4D to properly test the performance instead of just specific CPU functions.
In fact, in recent times, this software has drastically improved its rendering technology to make sure you only get the most accurate measurement of cinema 4D’s abilities to utilize multiple CPU cores and overall processor features.
Superposition
Put your video card, stability, hardware, and overall performance to test with Superposition.
It presents every little element in a detailed manner, and you can get a taste of what this software is like by using its free version.
Some other features include:
- 900+ interactive objects
- Extreme level hardware stability testing
- Clock monitoring and GPU temperature
- Power supply test
Not to mention, to make things fun, there’s also global leaderboard integration and free exploration mode with mini games.
PassMark
PassMark’s performance test is available for Android, IOS, PC, Linux, and macOS. It gives you a comprehensive comparison between your computer and other devices and detailed insight into the performance.
It also makes it easy for you to identify the kind of impact the configuration changes and hardware upgrades have had on your computer. This is especially useful when you’re unsure what made your PC speed up or slow down.
At the end of every test, this software gives you a “PassMark Rating” so you can easily determine where your computer stands in terms of their performance criteria.
Novabench
A no-cost benchmark program, Novabench completes the test in just minutes and returns with accurate results that include a detailed analysis of your system’s CPU, GPU, RAM, and Disk.
Their comparison tools and extensive results database make it a seamless process to hand you exactly the information you’d need to figure out your PC’s performance. In fact, you can compare the results online and spot potential problems right away.
After you have the results, you can work on the areas that need improvement and take your computer to its best level possible.
PCMark 10
Super easy to use, PCMark 10 features a set of tests that make it a complete benchmarking tool for your computer. This new version of the software comes with an improved workload and mechanism to make sure it gives you only accurate results every time.
Here are some of the many reasons why you should try this software:
- One-click run to save time
- Multi-level reporting that produces scores for various levels and stages
- Faster and efficient
- Simple and convenient interface
You can run benchmarking for storage, applications, battery life, performance, and much more.
UserBenchmark
UserBenchmark is a free program to put your PC to test and compare the results with other users having the same components.
If you’re a gamer, you’d be happy with this software because it has a list of well-known games that you can click on and find out if they’ll work on your system. It’s an easy way to be informed before purchasing games.
All in all, it can identify problems, give you an insight into the speed, and tell you how your computer has been performing.
PC Benchmark
As good as the other software in this list, PC Benchmark evaluates the performance of your computer and tells you exactly the measures you need to take in order to improve it if required. It recommends tips and suggests helpful instructional articles and videos to achieve the desired result, all within the tool.
Once you’ve concluded the test, you can go on to compare the results with other users of the software and see where your PC stands. It’s a great way to pinpoint your system’s flaws compared to other devices.
Conclusion
Utilizing the above PC benchmark software will help you eliminate the guesswork and dive straight into the crux of things.
All of them do a great job of testing your PC, and fortunately, they’re either completely free of cost, or they at least have a free starting plan to make sure you can decide without feeling the heat of the price tag.
Most importantly, they’re all fairly lightweight so that they won’t be a burden on your computer.
You may also look at some of the best PC Optimizers.
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The 10 Best Free Benchmark Programs for Windows
You just overclocked your GPU or installed a new hardware component in your PC. Is it working? Benchmarking is a great way to take a snapshot of your PC’s performance, and the best benchmarking software is often free to use.
Whether you want to assess how poorly or how well your PC is performing, everyone can benefit from benchmark tools. Don’t wait until someone else has to benchmark your PC for you to troubleshoot an issue!
General Performance
Benchmarking software typically allows for overclocking or fan speed settings changes.
These options allow users to configure hardware changes through software. Keep in mind, benchmarking your PC is a bit more complex than simply running software.
1. CPU-Z
CPU-Z is free benchmark software that will provide users with a complete rundown of your PC’s hardware specifications, particularly concerning your CPU.
It also provides specifications for your motherboard, RAM, and graphics card, making it a great all-around program to visualize hardware makes and models. You can even save a TXT file of the information via the Tools option.
Download: CPU-Z (Free)
2. HWMonitor
HWMonitor is PC benchmark software that visualizes the make and model of hardware components in your PC and displays certain parameters live.
These parameters include power consumption, fan speeds, utilization percentage, clock speeds, and temperature. This can be crucial, as issues like an overheating component in your PC can lead to frequent PC crashes.
HWMonitor’s simple interface also makes all values easy to view and understand. Of course, you can also save this information for further troubleshooting via the File option.
Download: HWMonitor (Free)
3. SiSoftware Sandra Lite
SiSoftware Sandra Lite is a fully-featured benchmark suite aimed at users who are well-informed about the inner workings of their computers and for businesses that need to perform a detailed analysis on multiple computers.
Want to test your computer’s memory bandwidth? No problem. Want to benchmark network performance? Sure. Want to benchmark your computer’s power efficiency? Yes, Sandra does that as well.
Another useful feature of SiSoftware Sandra Lite is its online reference database. SiSoft Sandra will benchmark your component or online connection and then compare your performance with other similar processors to give you a better idea of how an upgrade may or may not help you.
Download: SiSoftware Sandra Lite (Free, pro version available)
4. Speccy
From the creators of CCleaner, Piriform’s Speccy is a favorite among the gaming community for its simple layout of a PC’s hardware configuration.
Once it’s open, Speccy will provide a thorough rundown of every component, and most drivers, currently available on your PC.
If you click on the individual parameters on the left-hand side of the window, you’ll get even more information concerning your specific hardware, including temperature, voltage, fan speeds, and more.
Download: Speccy (Free, pro version available)
5. CineBench
CineBench provides one of the most thorough and trusted CPU benchmarks available. It renders an image—rendering being a task largely undertaken by the CPU—and compares it to other real-world tests to gauge your CPU’s performance.
It’s as real-world as it gets: while other benchmarks will test your overall PC performance or a combination of your CPU and GPU benchmark, CineBench specifically tests all available processor cores of your CPU.
After the test is run, your processor will be graded in points: the higher your points, the stronger your CPU’s performance output.
Download: CineBench (Free)
6. RealBench
RealBench is another example of real-world CPU benchmarking. It uses four tests, all involving rendering in some capacity: Image Editing, H.264 Video Encoding, OpenCL, and Heavy Multitasking.
You can upload your finding to the RealBench website to compare where you stand with other benchmarked hardware configurations. Possibly the best aspect of RealBench is that it simulates a regular course load; no stress testing to push your CPU to the max to gauge its performance. Although, of course, stress testing is also an available feature in RealBench.
Download: RealBench (Free)
GPU Benchmarking
GPU benchmarks are much like a CPU benchmark: they will update the user on the clock speeds, bus speeds, temperatures, and fan speeds of your GPU.
7. MSI Afterburner
Not exclusive to MSI graphics cards, MSI Afterburner is the best live monitoring GPU tool around. Afterburner allows users to overclock and monitor their software in one program.
It tracks every parameter you need to chart graphics card parameters: clock speed, temperature, RAM usage, fan speed, and CPU usage (by core). You can also save and activate overclock profiles at startup, so you’ll always be overclocked at the outset.
Download: MSI Afterburner (Free)
8. Unigine Suite
The Unigine suite has been the go-to benchmarking software for graphics cards for years. If, for example, an overindulgent overclock has the possibility to damage your GPU over the long run, Unigine engines will make sure they benchmark and stress-test the GPU to ensure maximum performance and stability. It also allows users to test varying degrees of detail, so any GPU—budget or otherwise—can be tested using the software.
Download: Unigine (Free, paid version available)
9.
Catzilla
Catzilla is one of the most popular free GPU benchmarking apps for gamers. It has an impressive animation and recommendation system that can provide you with a score and a badge (from one to 12).
After running, it provides hardware and software advice, allowing users to make instant changes to their PC or laptop to achieve more power.
From a GPU standpoint, it will provide information on whether your machine can handle the latest games and stream HD movies, as well as other insights.
Download: Catzilla (Free)
10. Novabench
Novabench is a free benchmark software designed to test your PC’s performance. Luckily, it’s also a cross-platform software available for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
What stood out about the tool was its feature to compare your results against a massive online dataset from Novabench and then compare where your PC stands. Moreover, you can optimize & repair your PC by tuning, repairing, and upgrading your tool.
The app is available for free as well as in paid version. The free version itself packs an impressive set of features. For example, it offers full-system tests for CPU single & multi-core, GPU graphics, Memory, etc.
And if you grow a liking for the tool, you can then move on to the paid version, which comes with scheduled and automatic tests, temperature & battery history, a portable USB version of the app, etc., that make the app even handier. This makes the app a fitting candidate for our list of the best and free benchmark tools for Windows.
Downloads: Novabench (Free, pro version available)
Benchmark Your PC the Right Way
There is plenty of system benchmark software available online, most of which do a poor job of truly revealing your component’s performance. The list above comprises tested and trustworthy benchmarking programs that IT professionals and casual users can both use for gathering information concerning a PC’s hardware configuration.
How to use the PC Health Checker
The PC Health Checker keeps you up-to-date on the health of your Windows device, helps you take actions to improve device performance, and troubleshoot performance issues. It is updated periodically based on user feedback so you can get the most out of your Windows PC.
How to open the PC Health Check application
In Windows, use the search on the taskbar to search for «PC Health Check», and then select this application from the list of results.
If an update for the PC Health Checker is available, you can quickly install it to get the latest version.
If you do not have PC Health Check installed, you can install it by going to https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp and following the instructions to download and install the application. nine0003
Windows 11 compliance check
If you’re currently using Windows 10, the PC Health Checker provides a comprehensive check of your device to make sure it meets the Windows 11 minimum system requirements.
You’ll get information about why your device is compliant or non-compliant, and See also information about what you can do if your device does not meet the requirements. nine0003
Select Check now to see if Windows 11 can run on your device.
Backup and synchronization
Sign in or create a new Microsoft account to sync your settings across devices, such as passwords, Microsoft Edge browser settings like favorites, reading lists, themes, and more.
nine0002 You can also back up your photos and files to OneDrive. After that, they will be protected and available on all your devices.
Windows Update
Regular Windows updates help keep your device running smoothly and secure. If your device is not up to date or needs attention, the PC Health Check app will let you know.
nine0002 Select Open Windows Update to go directly to Windows Update in the options.
Battery capacity
In this section of the PC Health Check application, you can get information about the performance of your batteries compared to their original capacity for devices with one or two batteries. Battery capacity will be available for devices older than 3 years.
nine0002 Select See Battery Saving Tips for steps to improve battery performance.
Storage capacity
Find out how much space is being used for the device’s main drive, which contains your files, applications, and Windows. You will see the percentage of your disk full.
Expand this section of the application to see how much free space is left. Select Manage storage settings to enable Storage Sense or get other cleaning recommendations.
Start time
Get information about your device’s startup time and what affects this time.
Select Manage startup programs to view and change the applications that start automatically.
PC Health Tips
Select PC Health Tips for more ways to improve the performance of your device.
View device specifications
You can find more information about your device below your device image, including device age and storage capacity. Select Rename computer to give the device a different name. nine0003
How to check your Windows 10/11 PC
Just as you take care of your well-being and everything that interests you, it is imperative that you take care of your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. The best way to see the status your PC to generate various reports, such as those generated by Windows Security and Performance Monitor.
After using the computer for a long time, it really needs to check its components. In order to ensure a thorough health scan of your computer, you need to view a set of potential error reports, which will allow you to diagnose and fix all system problems, fix potential security leaks, and optimize and clean up system performance.
Check out the best Windows diagnostic tools to check the health of your PC. nine0003
Here’s how to run a full PC health scan and then use these reports to see how your hardware is performing, as well as some tips and solutions for specific issues you might need to fix.
How to use the Computer Validation application
With the announcement of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced the Computer Validation application. It can be installed automatically on your system through Windows Update. If not, then you can download it from Microsoft. nine0003
Computer Health provides you with up-to-date information about the status of your Windows device, helping you take steps to improve your computer’s performance and troubleshoot problems. It is updated periodically based on customer feedback to help you get the most out of your Windows PC.
The main purpose of the Check Your Computer application is to find out if your Windows 10 is eligible for upgrading to Windows 11, you will get information about why your device is eligible or not eligible for the upgrade, as well as information on what to do.
if your device does not meet the requirements. But you can also use it on both platforms to get a quick overview of your device’s status. nine0003
To launch the application after installing it, on Windows, use the search option below the taskbar to find «Health» and then select it from the list of results. The app prompts you to back up your data to OneDrive, checks to see if your device is up to date, shows you how much space you have left, and offers tips on battery life and startup time.
For general tips, click Computer Health Tips At the bottom of the application. These tips don’t necessarily apply to your system, but it’s good to know about them.
Under its image, you can find additional information about your device, including device age and memory capacity. Search for Rename PC To give your device a different name. Check for Windows 10 freezes on your computer? Try these fixes!
How to check your computer with Windows Security
If you need a quick and easy-to-use overview of your system status, Windows Security can provide it.
To run the built-in application, do a system search Windows Security .
After opening, touch Device performance and health . The health report section is broken down into different areas where any problems and solutions are noted.
Windows Security periodically scans the background, as indicated by the last scan date, so there is no need to run it manually.
The report covers the following:
- storage capacity : If your system has enough disk space to perform tasks such as updating Windows. nine0120
- Battery life : If something reduces battery life, such as brightness settings.
- Apps and software : If something is installed that requires an update, or when an update fails.
- Windows Time Service : If your clock is out of sync or malfunctioning, which can affect your internet connection and cause other problems.
If everything is OK, it will be marked with a green checkmark. Otherwise, a yellow checkmark will mean you can click to see the specific issue and how to fix it (with the option to run the troubleshooter automatically in some cases). nine0003
How to check your computer’s health with System Monitor
The built-in performance monitor comes with Windows 10/11 and is an advanced tool for monitoring things like disk, memory, and network usage. You can enable it by doing a system search for Performance Monitor .
Performance Monitor provides two reports: System Diagnostics and System Performance. nine0003
To create it:
- In the left pane, expand Data Collector Groups -> System.
- Right-click «System Diagnostics and System Performance» and select Start .
- Each report can take up to a minute to generate. When you’re ready, you can access it via Reports -> System. Report names contain the date they were created.
For instructions on reading these reports and other additional tips on using this utility, see our article on How to Use Performance Monitor as an Advanced User. nine0003
How to check battery health with a sleep study
If your system supports sleep mode, you can run a report to evaluate battery health and understand how to use it. This is useful for identifying which applications or devices are consuming a lot of power, possibly unnecessarily.
You can run the report on a desktop computer to check the power cycle, but it is obviously better for laptop users. For these users, the report can be useful to show you how many cycles your battery has gone through, which means how many times your battery has gone from empty to full charge. nine0003
First you need to open a command prompt with administrator rights. press the key. Windows + X And press Command Prompt (Admin) .
There is no Sleep Study option as a utility that can be accessed directly on your computer, so you can use the command to generate an HTML file for the report.
To do this, enter this command at the command prompt:
powercfg /SleepStudy /output %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\mysleepstudy.html
This will bring up a file called mysleepstudy.html on your desktop. Feel free to set the command to a different file path or filename.
By default, the silence study report covers the last three days. To specify the number of days, enter the following command, switching DAYS to a number up to 28:
powercfg /SleepStudy /output %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\mysleepstudy.html /Duration DAYS
Go to the desktop and open the file to view the sleep report in a web browser. nine0003
The report contains information about your device and battery, a battery discharge chart, and details about each standby session. You can see how long each session lasted, the energy consumed, and the amount of time spent in a low power state.
The report lists five offending processes that cause battery drain, but interpret these with caution.
High usage isn’t necessarily a problem because it depends on what you were doing in that session. For example, if you install Windows updates, play music, or connect Bluetooth devices, they all require a different size battery. Check out the Best Tools to Analyze Laptop Battery Health. nine0003
How to check the health of your wireless network using Network Report
You can create a wireless network report in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to view your system’s wireless connection history for the last three days. This is a good way to find out how your connection is being used and what might be causing problems.
press the key. Windows + X And press Command Prompt (Admin) .
Enter the following on the command line:
netsh wlan show wlanreport
This will output an HTML file. To view it, press the key. Windows + R To open the Run dialog, type the following and click Ok :
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\WlanReport\wlan-report-latest.html
This will open the report in your web browser .
The graph above shows a summary of the sessions available in the report. You can click on a letter to jump to that specific section. The most relevant are those highlighted in red, indicating an error. nine0003
Also review the disconnect reason table to understand why the network was disconnected. This may be because it has been disabled, which is normal, but other problems may be listed here, such as driver failure or network unavailability.
If you’re struggling with persistent internet problems, check out our guide to How to Fix Home Network Problems.
How to diagnose other problems in Windows 10/11
You don’t need to constantly run PC Health Check reports. If you’re constantly encountering errors or notice that your computer is slowing down, it might be because your hardware isn’t working, so it might be helpful to run these reports to help identify the issue. Keep in mind that Windows Security will actively notify you of general health issues.