3DMark06 for Windows

3DMark06 - the very name "3DMark" already means the standard of 3D graphics testing, and good results in it testify to the quality of both video and the system as a whole. We should note the objectivity and accuracy of this tool in assessing the performance of video cards. And, importantly, the interface is easy to use. 3DMark includes four gaming tests, as well as tests of the processor, individual 3D components, and image quality. The CPU test allows you to evaluate its role in typical 3D work. Tests of 3D components "isolate" the performance of key features, mainly related to shaders. A number of image quality tests help to understand how well the video card "gets along" with the drivers.

A key feature of the new 3DMark06 package is two graphical tests to evaluate a video card's ShaderModel 3.0 and HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities. Two more graphic tests (formerly called gaming tests) are based on version 2 shaders. All graphics tests are optimized for graphics card performance, but according to the developers the role of the CPU will increase and be responsible for physics and AI calculations, so there are two CPU tests in 3DMark06.

3DMark06 brings back the playability that was in 3DMark 2001. The minigame is based on CPU tests and uses a proprietary engine written by Futuremark. You have to shoot off as many cars as possible in five minutes, with 30 points for each one. The game is only available to Advanced and Professional Edition owners.

In the basic version you can only perform basic tests, there is no possibility to change any parameters, use built-in features to compare the quality of screenshots, research the effect of anti-aliasing and filtering, and graphing.

The minimum system requirements: Intel or AMD-compatible 2.5GHz processors, 1GB RAM, DirectX. All tests require video cards with ShaderModel 2.0 or higher support.