Experiment- 39 :- Benchmarking Your PC - Testing Computer Performance

AIM: Benchmarking Your PC - Testing Computer Performance

Objective:

To measure and assess the performance of your computer by running tests on various components (CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage) and using benchmarking tools.

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Materials:

1. Computer (Windows or macOS)
2. Benchmarking Software (free or paid)
   • CPU: Cinebench, Geekbench, or Prime95
   • GPU: 3DMark, Unigine Heaven, or FurMark
   • Memory (RAM): AIDA64, PassMark PerformanceTest, or MemTest86
   • Storage: CrystalDiskMark, AS SSD Benchmark, or HD Tune
3. Stress Testing Tools (optional): Prime95, FurMark
4. System Monitoring Tools (optional): HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, CPU-Z

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Procedure:

Step 1: Preparing the System

1. Update Drivers: Ensure that your graphics card, CPU, and motherboard drivers are up-to-date for accurate benchmarking results.
   • For Windows, you can update drivers through Device Manager or the manufacturer's software (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce Experience for GPU).
2. Close Background Applications: Close unnecessary applications running in the background to ensure the benchmarking tools have as much system resources as possible for accurate results.
3. Monitor System Temperature: Use a tool like HWMonitor to monitor temperatures during benchmarking. Overheating can cause throttling and skew results.

Step 2: CPU Benchmarking

1. Install Cinebench R23 or Geekbench (free versions available).
2. Run a CPU Test:
   • Open Cinebench R23 or Geekbench.
   • For Cinebench, select the "Multi-Core" and "Single-Core" tests to measure CPU performance.
   • For Geekbench, click on the "Run CPU Benchmark" button.
3. Record Results: Note down the scores provided by Cinebench or Geekbench. Higher scores generally indicate better performance.
   • Multi-Core Test: Measures the CPU’s ability to handle parallel tasks (important for gaming, video editing, etc.).
   • Single-Core Test: Measures how well the CPU handles single-threaded tasks (important for tasks that don’t use multiple cores).

Step 3: GPU Benchmarking

1. Install 3DMark or Unigine Heaven.
2. Run the GPU Benchmark:
   • For 3DMark: Select the “Time Spy” or “Fire Strike” test, which are commonly used for gaming GPUs.
   • For Unigine Heaven: Run the default benchmark, choosing a preset resolution (e.g., 1080p).
3. Record Results: The benchmark will display the FPS (Frames per second), Graphics Score, and other key stats.
   • Higher FPS and graphics scores indicate a more powerful GPU.

Step 4: RAM Benchmarking

1. Install AIDA64 or PassMark PerformanceTest.
2. Run the RAM Test:
   • Open AIDA64, go to the "Cache and Memory Benchmark" section, and run the test.
   • For PassMark: Go to the "Memory" section and run the RAM benchmark.
3. Record Results: The results will include read, write, and latency speeds for your RAM. Higher read/write speeds and lower latency indicate faster RAM performance.

Step 5: Storage Benchmarking

1. Install CrystalDiskMark or AS SSD Benchmark.
2. Run the Storage Test:
   • Open CrystalDiskMark and select the target drive (e.g., your SSD or HDD).
   • Run tests for sequential read/write speeds and random 4K read/write speeds.
3. Record Results: The results will give you read and write speeds (MB/s) for your storage drive.
   • Sequential speeds measure how fast large files are read/written.
   • Random 4K speeds test the performance of small file transfers, which are important for system responsiveness.

Step 6: Stress Test (Optional but Recommended)

1. Run Prime95 (for CPU):
   • Prime95 is a popular tool for stress testing your CPU.
   • Run the “Small FFTs” test, which stresses the CPU heavily.
   • Monitor temperatures during the test and stop after 15-20 minutes to check for stability and performance.
2. Run FurMark (for GPU):
   • FurMark stresses the GPU to its limits and checks for stability and thermal behavior.
   • Run the stress test for 10-15 minutes, again monitoring the temperature and system stability.

Step 7: Monitoring Results

1. Compare Results:
   • Compare the benchmark scores for the CPU, GPU, RAM, and Storage. You can find baseline results for your components online (e.g., from other users with the same hardware).
   • Example: If your CPU's Geekbench score is significantly lower than others with the same processor, it may indicate throttling or other issues.
2. Temperature Analysis: Ensure the temperatures for CPU and GPU stay within safe limits during benchmarking (usually below 85°C under load).

Step 8: Final Assessment

1. Overall System Performance: Assess how well your PC performed in each category (CPU, GPU, RAM, storage). Is it meeting your expectations, or are there areas for improvement?
2. Upgrade Considerations: If any component’s benchmark scores are much lower than expected, consider upgrading that part of your system. For instance:
   • Low CPU performance could suggest it’s time to upgrade the processor.
   • Low GPU performance means an upgrade may be necessary for gaming or high-end graphics work.
   • Slow storage speeds (especially on HDDs) may warrant switching to an SSD.

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Expected Results:

• CPU: A higher multi-core score indicates better performance for multitasking and demanding applications (e.g., video rendering, simulation).
• GPU: Higher FPS and Graphics Score indicate better performance in gaming and graphical tasks.
• RAM: Faster read and write speeds mean smoother multitasking and responsiveness.
• Storage: Faster sequential and random read/write speeds mean quicker file access and system responsiveness.

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Conclusion:

Benchmarking your PC provides valuable insights into the performance of your system’s components. By following the above steps, you can understand the strengths and weaknesses of your PC, identify potential upgrades, and ensure your system is performing optimally. Regular benchmarking can help track performance over time and after hardware upgrades, ensuring your system continues to meet your needs.