CPU Test Information
CPU Benchmark results (“Baselines”) were gathered from users’ submissions to the PassMark web site as well as from internal testing. PerformanceTest conducts eight different tests and then averages the results together to determine the CPU Mark for a system.
To ensure that the full CPU power of a PC system is realized, PerformanceTest runs each CPU test on all available CPUs. Specifically, PerformanceTest runs one simultaneous CPU test for every logical CPU (Hyper-threaded); physical CPU core (dual core) or physical CPU package (multiple CPU chips). So hypothetically if you have a PC that has two CPUs, each with dual cores that use hyper-threading then PerformanceTest will run eight simultaneous tests.
The following list describes each of the tests performed.
The Integer Math Test aims to measure how fast the CPU can perform mathematical integer operations. An integer is a whole number with no fractional part. This is a basic operation in all computer software and provides a good indication of 'raw' CPU throughput. The test uses a large sets of random 32-bit and 64-bit integers and adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides these numbers.
The Compression Test measures the speed that the CPU can compress blocks of data into smaller blocks of data without losing any of the original data. The result is reported in Kilobytes per Second. This test uses complex data structures and complex data manipulation techniques to perform a function that is very common in software applications, ranging from backup software to Email software.
The Prime Number Test aims to test how fast the CPU can search for Prime numbers, reported as operations per second. A prime number is a number that can only be divided by itself and 1. For example, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 etc. This algorithm uses loops and CPU operations that are common in computer software, and determines the speed at which numbers can be compared with other numbers, the speed large floating numbers (eg. 26739754.5369) can be manipulated and the speed complex computations like square root can be performed. The resulting scores indicate the number of Millions of Operation per Second.
The Encryption Test encrypts blocks of random data using the Blowfish algorithm, such that the resulting data can only be accessed by someone with the encryption key. This test uses many of the techniques in the maths test, but also uses a large amount of binary data manipulation and CPU mathematical functions like 'to the power of'. Encryption is a very useful benchmark, as it is now very widely used in software applications, ranging from Internet browsers, communications software and many different business applications. The results are expressed as Megabytes Transferred per Second.
The Floating Point Math Test performs the same operations as the Integer Maths Test however with floating point numbers. A floating point number is a number with a fractional part (ie. 12.568). These kinds of numbers are handled quite differently in the CPU compared to Integer numbers as well as being quite commonly used, therefore they are tested separately.
The SSE/3D Now Test measures the SSE and 3DNow capabilities of a CPU. SSE and 3DNow are sets of CPU instructions that have been introduced into CPUs to enable blocks of data to be processed at higher speeds. SSE allows 128bit floating point mathematical and logical operations. 3DNow allows 64bit floating point mathematical and logical operations.
SSE stands for Streaming SIMD extensions.
SIMD stand for Single Instruction Multiple Data.
3DNow is The name that chip maker AMD gave to their CPU instructions.
The Image Rotation Test takes an image and rotates it as many times as it can within a limited time period. The main point of this test is to see how well the CPU handles looping and trigonometric functions which are quite commonly needed in computer programs, especially in graphics.
The String Sorting Test uses the qSort algorithm to see how fast the CPU can sort strings. A very common task in many applications.