When most people hear about computer benchmarks and benchmarking software, the first thing they think of is overclocking. It is easy to see why they make that connection as numerous PC enthusiasts overclock their GPUs, CPUs and RAM.
However, benchmarking software is not only used for overclocking. In fact, such applications should be employed regularly to ensure that a computer is operating as expected.
Certainly, there’s no requirement to regularly assess your computer, yet conducting a few comparisons with similar systems can offer a clearer insight into your hardware’s capabilities.
Whatever your intention, you will need exceptional CPU benchmarking software. To help you choose, we have created this list of the best and most commonly-used benchmarking software used in [seo_year].
Table of ContentsShow
Table of ContentsShow
Cinebench
The Pros:
- FreernQuick benchmarksrnLarge benchmark database (great for comparison)
The Cons:
- CPU-only benchmarks
Cinebench is useful test software that can determine the capabilities of a system. However, because its tests are essentially rendering tasks, what you will be truly testing is your CPU’s power.
Some people believe that Cinebench cannot replicate a genuine performance, but most PC enthusiasts beg to differ. The scores do translate well to a processor’s standard performance.
Cinebench is also very popular, which is always a massive positive. Why? Well, as it is used by so many people with different systems/setups, a comprehensive database is created, allowing users to compare their rigs with others readily.
That’s not all!
We must also point out that this software is completely free, unlike a few of the alternative choices. That is not something to dismiss lightly.
The benchmarks themselves are overall relatively fast. If you want to run several tests to find an average, you will be able to do it in less than half an hour. It can be annoying and tiring having to wait hours for a few benchmarks to be completed.
3DMark
The Pros:
- Number of benchmarks to choose fromrnA large database of tests
The Cons:
- $30 price tagrnCertain benchmarks locked behind extra fees
Another exceptionally popular benchmarking tool for both CPUs and GPUs is 3DMark. This software has been around since 1998. That means decades of testing, so you can imagine the extent of their database of users and varied systems that you can compare to your rig.
However, unlike Cinebench, 3DMark is not free. It is quite costly, with a $30 price tag. This isn’t too much, as it is a one-time purchase, but most users will only want to run a couple tests per year.
If your CPU benchmarking is going to be a solitary thing, we suggest looking at diverse tools.
For people that want to do thorough testing because of CPU overclocking, 3DMark might be a suitable option.
Keep in mind that there are multiple tools you can acquire that provide different types of benchmarks. We recommend going for the 3DMark application as it provides the most comprehensive benchmarks.
Some of the benchmarks to try include Time Spy (DirectX 12 benchmark to give any GPU a demanding run for its money, Time Spy Extreme (the same test at 4K), Fire Strike (DirectX 11 benchmark, and a few additional.
For CPU testing, it’s optimal to use Fire Strike as it won’t burden the GPU much but will push the CPU to its maximum.
Geekbench 5
The Pros:
- Fair pricernUseful browser to search for existing results
The Cons:
- Not as popular
Geekbench is a reliable pick as it is cross-platform. It doesn’t matter whether you are using Linux, macOS, or Windows; you will be able to run these tests. There are even results charts for portable chips (laptops, tablets, phones, etc.).
If you wish to conduct CPU testing on your computer or laptop, Geekbench 5 provides an evaluation for both the performance of a single core and numerous cores.
The benchmark includes all kinds of testing to determine where it excels and where it falters. This covers everything from the most fundamental folder browsing up to complex machine learning.
In other words, the results at the end are a precise representation of your processor’s capability.
There is also a relatively comprehensive database for comparison. Use their Browser to find your CPU and compare the single-core and multi-core outcomes.
Geekbench 5 is significantly less costly than 3DMark with a $10 price tag. For a license that covers all operating systems, it’s $15. There is a Pro version that costs $100, but that is designed for professional use, so you are unlikely to need it.
Prime95
The Pros:
- Best stress test to ensure CPU overclock stabilityrnGood stress test to ensure thermals are normal
The Cons:
- No database for comparisonrnNot exactly a benchmark
Unlike some of the other software in this article, Prime95 is not strictly intended for benchmarking and comparing scores. Prime95 is more focused on thorough testing.
Stress testing is beneficial for ensuring that you have sufficient airflow in your computer to keep your CPU’s temperatures balanced or that your overclock is stable for everyday use.
It is entirely complimentary, frequently updated, and accessible for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.
If you also want to examine your GPU, you can increase the visual settings of the benchmark to force the GPU to its peak.
Monitoring Software
When evaluating a computer’s performance, it is crucial to utilize software that monitors your components. Verify the temperature of your GPU, CPU, RAM, drives, and keep track of the CPU’s clock speed, power consumption, and other critical factors.
These are a few outstanding surveillance programs that can be utilized.
HWInfo
HWInfo is widely used by many technology reviewers and enthusiasts as it provides precise and real-time data on all computer components. It provides a comprehensive amount of information about CPUs.
It is which highly flexible, allowing you to adjust exactly which values you want accessible or hidden.
The only downside is that it can be difficult to operate as it is rather complex. This is why we can only recommend it to skilled users.
HWMonitor
A simpler alternative to HWInfo. HWMonitor is more straightforward and provides adequate info on your processor’s thermals, power usage, clock speeds, and more.
However, HWinfo offers a slightly more thorough analysis.
CPU-Z
Made by the creators of HWMonitor, this application is even more simple for users. You can acquire information on your GPU, CPU, RAM, and motherboard via CPU-Z, but you won’t have access to monitoring sensors that some of the prior applications feature.
Which CPU Benchmarking Software Do You Need?
Even when the options are limited to just four, it can still be challenging to make a decision. To help you with that, let’s outline.
For rapid and straightforward tests that assess the overall performance of your CPU, select Cinebench.
For individuals who desire to perform comprehensive tests for CPU overclocking reliability and to assess other parts’ performance, we suggest Geekbench 5 or 3DMark. Both software choices are excellent.
Finally, for only testing the GPU or CPU overclocking stability, we recommend Prime95.
