Kal-EL
03-07-2009, 06:33 PM
As experienced overclockers we take forgranted that everyone has a grasp on the entire concept of overclocking and benchmark applications. Why should anyone familiarize themselves with 3D benchmark applications?
Q:What is a 3D benchmark?
A: An application that tests the graphical power of a Graphics Accellerator or Graphics Processing Unit.
Q: Which 3D benchmark applications should I use?
A: Currently, the standardized list of 3D benchmark applications are:
1- 3Dmark01
2- 3Dmark03
3- 3Dmark05
4- 3Dmark06
5- 3DmarkVantage
6- Aquamark3
Q: Why so many 3D benchmark applications?
A: Each benchmark application is representative of the evolution of GPU's and with each new generation of Benchmark, new levels of stresses are placed on the GPU's and many times a combination of stresses between the GPU/CPU. These benchmarks give the user a general overall sense of how strong/weak there system configuration is. The scoring system for a benchmark is used to compare against other systems or user's and quickly turns into a competitive quest for "Legendary Overclocker" status.
Q: What does overclocking have to do with it?
A: By increasing the clock speeds of your Graphics Processor, you increase its performance ability. Increasing clocks and performance also increases temperatures and risk of instability. Using these benchmark applications, we can find overclocking settings that won't fail during gaming or 3d desktop tasks. Most every GPU on the market has a certain degree of overclockabilty with stock cooling solutions. This hidden performance value drives overclockers.
Q:What is a 3D benchmark?
A: An application that tests the graphical power of a Graphics Accellerator or Graphics Processing Unit.
Q: Which 3D benchmark applications should I use?
A: Currently, the standardized list of 3D benchmark applications are:
1- 3Dmark01
2- 3Dmark03
3- 3Dmark05
4- 3Dmark06
5- 3DmarkVantage
6- Aquamark3
Q: Why so many 3D benchmark applications?
A: Each benchmark application is representative of the evolution of GPU's and with each new generation of Benchmark, new levels of stresses are placed on the GPU's and many times a combination of stresses between the GPU/CPU. These benchmarks give the user a general overall sense of how strong/weak there system configuration is. The scoring system for a benchmark is used to compare against other systems or user's and quickly turns into a competitive quest for "Legendary Overclocker" status.
Q: What does overclocking have to do with it?
A: By increasing the clock speeds of your Graphics Processor, you increase its performance ability. Increasing clocks and performance also increases temperatures and risk of instability. Using these benchmark applications, we can find overclocking settings that won't fail during gaming or 3d desktop tasks. Most every GPU on the market has a certain degree of overclockabilty with stock cooling solutions. This hidden performance value drives overclockers.