Developer: Futuremark
System requirements: Windows 7 (XP/Vista not supported), 1 GHz or faster CPU, 1 GB RAM (32-bit systems)/2 GB RAM (64-bit systems), Direct X 9-compatible graphics card (DirectX 10 and 11 required for some tests), 10 GB hard-drive space, 1024×600 minimum monitor resolution
MSRP: Free (Basic edition), $29.95 (Advanced), $995.00 (Professional)

The hardest of the PC-gaming hardcore are usually the only users who really care about PC benchmarking. Most of us don’t really want to know how our rigs measure up to those of other gamers; we just want our copies of the latest and greatest to run smoothly so we can pwn as many noobs as possible. But for those of you who yearn to demonstrate that your box is better than everybody else’s box, Finnish benchmark developer Futuremark has been providing system testing software since 1997. Their latest effort, 3DMark7, gives Windows 7 users the lowdown on their PC’s strengths and weaknesses.

3DMark7, like its predecessors (3DMark06, 3DMarkVantage for Vista users, and 3DMark11 for those with DirectX 11 graphics cards), is available in three editions. Basic offers a minimal selection of tests. Advanced adds the majority of the program’s available tests, while Professional is the same as Advanced, but with commercial licensing, priority support and detailed customization added, and is intended for software developers and media outlets. Once the program is installed, it analyzes your system and presents you with a list of available tests based on your configuration. You select the tests you want to run, hit the “Run Benchmark” button, and sit back and wait.

My system lacks a DirectX 11 graphics card, so I had a maximum of 29 available tests. I chose to skip the testing of my secondary storage devices, leaving me with 22. After closing all of my open applications, I started the benchmark, which took approximately 30 minutes to complete. Once finished, 3DMark7 gave me score of 3736 3D Marks (the higher the number, the better the result, with 5000 being optimal). This score is calculated using the results of the individual tests and high-level mathematics voodoo that flies way over my head, so I have to take Futuremark’s word for it. These numbers are not comparable with scores you might’ve obtained from the company’s other benchmarks (3DMark 06 scores can be much higher), so don’t worry if your 3DMark7 results don’t seem to measure up.

Futuremark has streamlined their user experience with 3DMark7. You don’t have to worry about not getting a score if you change test parameters such as monitor resolution or number of test passes; the only alteration you can make is how many tests you want to run. Video tests run in a window instead of full-screen and don’t require loading screens, which considerably speeds up the testing process. And you can export your scores to the company website so you can see how they compare to other users with similar configurations. If you’re running Windows 7 and you’ve never explored PC benchmarking before, 3DMark7 is a simple-to-use introduction. Try the free version, and if you want more, it’s a simple upgrade to Advanced, which gives you an excellent look at what’s under your PC’s hood.

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