by Nikolas Nikolaou for Daves Computer Tips
Comparing Your PC Performance to Others
Since our founding in 2000, PC Pitstop has become a favorite for those looking to compare & rank the performance of their PCs. This continues today as our free PC Matic diagnostic scan includes a suite of benchmarks — the results are tabulated and compared to all of the other computers in the world to create the system’s World Rank.–PC Pitstop.
If you have done any research on computer components, you have likely come across a number of benchmark tests used for comparison of various pieces of equipment or overall computer builds. Looking at all the numbers and the testing procedures behind benchmarking may seem daunting for the uninitiated, but it is less complex than you might imagine. This guide will walk you through the first steps of benchmarking like a pro.
What Exactly Is Benchmarking?
Benchmarking means to evaluate or test a system in order to gain an idea of its performance level. A benchmark test will put the computer through a series of tasks, sometimes predefined, and record its performance statistics. Commonly tested statistics include the time it takes for the CPU to finish a specific task or how well a computer runs a game.
Why Is Benchmarking Useful?
If you were to judge from PC hardware reviews, you would think that benchmarking is used only as a tool to compare components to each other. While this is definitely a primary purpose, it can do so much more. For example, if you want to see how your computer handles a game at various configurations, it is necessary to use benchmarks to notice changes in performance that are too small to perceive without the aid of software. The same goes if you are tweaking the BIOS or installing new components. Of course, benchmarking also comes into play for bragging rights over whose computer is the best.
These excerpts are shared with permission from davescomputertips.com.
