Last week, UL Solutions commemorated the 25th anniversary of 3DMark, the renowned game graphics benchmarking tool. Since its inception during the early days of DirectX 6, this software has continuously showcased the latest graphics features and technology. Despite a decrease in its ubiquity, it is undeniable that 3DMark’s longevity is truly remarkable. For those unfamiliar with 3DMark, it is an application that runs a series of real-time graphics on your PC, employing recorded frame rates to generate an overall score, which serves as an indicator of gaming system performance. By uploading your results, you can compare and compete with other PCs sporting similar hardware configurations.
The original version, called 3DMark99 (even though it was released in 1998), utilized the same engine that powered Remedy Entertainment’s first 3D game, Max Payne. Subsequently, 3DMark2000 debuted in 1999, utilizing the newly introduced Microsoft graphics API, DirectX 7. This marked the beginning of a trend, with creators MadOnion introducing a fresh 3DMark benchmark package each time a new version of DirectX was released. For instance, 3DMark2001 utilized DirectX 8, showcasing the power of vertex and pixel shaders, while 3DMark03 became the first DirectX 9 tool. The subsequent releases, 3DMark05 and 3DMark06, remained DirectX 9-based, as developers were just beginning to harness new shader levels in their games.
As time progressed, the graphics tests in 3DMark grew increasingly complex. While the CPU test in 3DMark05 was updated to provide a more accurate reflection of processor workloads during gaming, it became evident that these graphics tests bore less resemblance to actual game scenes. Despite using similar rendering techniques, there were few instances that truly replicated an authentic first-person shooter or flight simulator experience within 3DMark, apart from limited scenes in 3DMark03.
An important shift occurred with the 2008 release of 3DMark Vantage. Although it still lacked true game-like tests, Futuremark (subsequently renamed MadOnion) leveraged its expertise in graphics programming to develop an actual game called Shattered Horizon. Unfortunately, Futuremark faced difficulties due to the global credit crunch that year and eventually spun off into multiple entities, with the game side transitioning to Rovio Software. In 2014, Futuremark was acquired by UL, a company well-regarded for its work in safety testing within the scientific and technological fields.
Despite the ownership change, 3DMark persevered. The current version remains largely unchanged since 2013, with the main difference being regular updates with new tests rather than an entirely new package release. UL deserves recognition for continuing to host all the original 3DMark programs, although older versions may pose compatibility challenges on modern machines. The oldest functional version that I can personally access is 3DMark03, which also happens to be my favorite release. In its current form, 3DMark boasts unparalleled versatility, offering benchmarks that cater to various platforms and hardware levels. While the graphics tests may still fall short of resembling real games, the underlying workloads are not too dissimilar. Furthermore, users can still evaluate their gaming PC’s performance and compare their scores with others.
Skeptics may argue that similar performance evaluations can be conducted within any game, by seeking input from peers on forums. This has long been a criticism of 3DMark. Nevertheless, it maintains its popularity among benchmarkers and overclockers. More importantly, 3DMark stands apart from other graphics card tests by avoiding any system that favors one vendor over another. This unbiased approach is precisely why GPU reviews conducted by the PC Gamer hardware team continue to utilize 3DMark. One wonders if the team will still rely on 3DMark in the year 2048.
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