FutureMark launches 3DMark05 benchmark program

Posted on Wednesday, September 29 2004 @ 17:02 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
A few minutes ago Futuremark launched the newest version of their popular benchmark, 3DMark05.

New Features in 3DMark05 include:
  • Full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0c;
  • Supporting the latest pixel- and vertex shader models (2.0, 2.a, 2.b and 3.0),
  • Three new game tests, all requiring hardware for DirectX 9.0 with support for pixel shader 2.0 or higher;
  • Two CPU tests, the other one presenting a multithreaded AI implementation, especially suitable for virtual or physical multiprocessor systems;
  • New feature and batch size tests;
  • New and improved image, filtering and anti-aliasing quality tools;
  • New graph tool for in-depth performance analysis,
  • The ultimate showcase of Windows-based real-time 3D graphics: Dazzling demo with original soundtrack.
New engine:
  • Dynamically builds shaders for each material in High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) format;
  • Shaders are runtime compiled to best fit the installed hardware;
  • Uses exclusively shader model 2.0 and 3.0 for all vertex and pixel processing;
  • Renders real-time light scattering for atmospherical effects;
  • Uses improved Perspective Shadow Maps (PSM) with Depth Stencil Texture (DST) and hardware accelerated Percentage Closest Filtering (PCF) if supported.
New and improved tools to assist reviewers and test labs:
  • Image quality inspection tool;
    • Ability to export frame by frame using different options and settings;
    • Pre-rendered Reference Rasterizer image database for comparison;
  • Texture filtering and anti-aliasing quality inspection tool;
    • Anti-Aliasing;
    • Bilinear/Trilinear/Anisotropic filtering;
  • Graphs of runtime statistics;
    • Frame rate;
    • Frame duration;
    • Polygon count;
    • Vertex count;
    • State change count;
    • Drawing batch count;
  • System Info utility, which provides an in-depth analysis of the status and features of the system’s components;
  • Extended Online ResultBrowser for Pro users;
    • MultiComparison;
    • Dynamic compare URLs;
    • 18 filters for search and comparison.


3DMark05 Minimum System Recommendations/Requirements:

x86 compatible processor with SSE support, 2GHz
512MB of RAM
1.5GB of free hard disk space
Windows® 2000/XP with the latest updates & Service Packs
DirectX®9.0c or later
DirectX®9.0 compliant graphics adapter that has 128MB of memory and is capable of PixelShader 2.0 or higher
Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6

FutureMark 3DMark05




The normal version of 3DMark05 is available for free. The Pro version, 3DMark05 Pro, which offers some more features is available for $29.95 on CD-ROM, or $19.95 when you download it. The Business Edition of 3DMark05 is shipping on CD-ROM for $250.

More info and download over at Futuremark


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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