subject: CPU Bench Utilities: Testing Your PC Power [print this page] CPU Bench Utilities: Testing Your PC Power
The CPU or Central Processing Unit of a personal computer is an important part of the system that carries out the orders given in the computer program. The instructions provided in the computer program will be carried out by the CPU in sequential order to do the simple input, output, arithmetic and logical functions of the system. CPU benchmark is known as the procedure done to assess the performance of the CPU of the computer. There are a number of CPU benchmark programs that will check the capabilities and strengths of your computer against other computers. The system might be numerical-value or score-based.
More about the CPU
Even the CPU benchmark generally focuses on the processor of the computer, there are benchmark utilities that assess several other parts of the computer, together with the central processing unit. This is mainly because CPU refers to the computer part known as the system unit wherein all the important parts and components are found for the computer to function and run efficiently. Other devices do not need to be assessed by the CPU benchmark utility, such as the printer, monitor, mouse, scanner and keyboard. There are, however, existing utilities that test these if you need to.
Using the Utility
Using CPU benchmark utilities means that you have to find potential and current problems in your computer system. For example, people who like to play computer games will usually run a CPU benchmark utility on their personal computer, that will check and assess how the system performs so that they can continue playing some of the latest games requiring powerful computer specs and software.
Among games, 3DMark is a well known CPU benchmark program that will test the CPU and the graphics power of the computer. The tests generally consists of different videos created by the program, plus the number of FPS or frames per second, as the video is operating. This is because the human eye can no longer distinguish video fluctuations of more than 30 FPS. If the human eye can still discern the FPS, it means that the video is just average or below average. Hardcore gamers usually invest in computers that have results higher than 30 FPS.
Final Guidelines
A lot of CPU benchmark utilities feature an internal database wherein your current computer is tested against other benchmark utilities. You can submit the results of your current utility online so you can see how the results compare with other existing utilities. You can also view which components are in top form and which ones need to be upgraded or improved. Usually, computer part manufacturers create these online comparison programs so they can push their products more and encourage clients to upgrade their current system. For example, if you have an old processor or graphics card, the end result may be low even if the other parts are strong.
The usual tests will usually pertain to the number of calculations made by the CPU and the CPU's ability to support graphics and take off some of the load from the CPU. These tests, along with other CPU benchmark assessments will comprise your overall score.
