What is Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and how can it improve your computer’s performance? A graphics processing unit, commonly shortened to graphics card, is a piece of hardware designed specifically to generate graphics signals. They are manufactured and sold by many vendors. Typically, GPU’s are made using a single-chip design by integrating a rendering engine, memory, register file, and interfaces all onto one processing device.
So are there free graphics testing software available for you to use? Well yes! There is quite an array of open-source GPU benchmarks and analysis software freely available. And there is also some proprietary software that we could also consider to use for free. Check out these free benchmark test, which I think you’ll find very useful.
Geekbench
Geekbench is a tool that enables you to measure computer performance with one mouse click. This free benchmark testing tool can measure the multi-core and single-core power processor.
Features:
- Geekbench enables you to test your computer for image processing and gaming.
- This is one of the best GPU benchmarks that allow you to share test results with other people.
- Supported platforms are Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Link:https://www.geekbench.com/
GFXBench
Your first impression might be that this is just another free GPU benchmarking software, but it’s far more than that. Unfortunately, the stigma against ‘free software’ still exists, but GFXBench is doing its best to fight it.
It’s an excellent tool with tests designed specifically for different uses. The best part is that you can compare the performance of your graphics card against pretty much any other.
As seen above, GFXBench offers the possibility to test across a multitude of different platforms and compare the performance against other systems.
PassMark PerformanceTest
PassMark is fast and easy to use, which is a good benchmark for any software (pun intended). PerformanceTest can benchmark your CPU, 2D/3D graphics, Memory, Storage, and CD drive via 28 standard benchmark tests across 6 suites. A detail that many tech nerds will love is the ability to create their own custom tests.
The biggest downside of PerformanceTest is that while it technically comes in two versions, free and paid, the free one barely resembles the full edition. It’s practically useless.
However, the paid version of PassMark is considered one of the best benchmarking tools because it is very intensive and thorough.
Heaven UNIGINE
This is a very intensive GPU benchmarking tool. The fact that it is primarily a GPU benchmarking software is what separates it from the others. It is designed to perform very heavy and prolonged stress tests for the graphics card and can be used to accurately measure its stability.
Another reason why this might be the best tool for overclockers is the ability to monitor the GPU cooler and see how much it can handle when pushed to the limit.
FurMark
Many believe that FurMark is overkill for stress testing GPU and rightly so. It puts a tremendous load on the GPU to the point it can damage your hardware due to overheating. However, you can take its basic test which is a standard OpenGL test for measuring the GPU’s stability. You can even provide a custom preset such as resolution, dynamic background, screen mode, throttle time and more.
While the tests are highly advanced, you can’t monitor many essential metrics with the FurMark application. You will have to use a software like MSI Afterburner utility to keep an eye on GPU’s usage and temperature. To conclude, go with FurMark if you have the experience and expertise required in stress testing GPU.
MSI Kombustor
MSI Kombustor is MSI’s well-known tool for stress testing and benchmarking the GPU. It’s specially designed to push your graphics card to the absolute limit through several intensive simulations and demos. Among other things, MSI Kombustor also measures the thermal performance and tests the stability of the GPU.
To take full advantage of MSI Kombustor, you should use another MSI utility called Afterburner. It’s an overclocking tool by MSI that gives you full control over your graphics cards. You can customize the fan profiles and adjust the GPU’s clock frequency and voltage. It will allow you to find the perfect balance between performance and temperature.
OCCT
While OCCT is popularly known for stress testing CPU, it can also torture the GPU to its absolute brink. You can use OCCT to test the stability of your overclocking parameters like voltage, frequency, and resolution. It deploys OCCT’s version of the GPU stability test which is called the furry donut. The graphics rendering engine is so powerful that historically it has blanked out screens of computers powered by a major graphic card. As a result, the test has revealed major design flaws in the architecture of the GPU chipset.
Having said that, the best part about OCCT is that it’s not just a stress testing software, but also allows you to detect GPU errors and monitor the active readings. You can take advantage of the GPU: MEMTEST to find errors in the graphic’s card memory. All in all, OCCT is a multi-purpose tool to stress test the GPU and you should definitely give it a try. The only downside is that you don’t get a benchmark score, but that is passable.
Novabench
Best for testing and optimizing system performance.
Novabench benchmark tool lets you test computer performance within minutes. The app provides detailed information about graphic performance. You can also compare the results online to know about any performance issues.
Features:
- Check disk read and write and memory transfer speed.
- Compare performance.
- Troubleshoot and repair system.
Verdict: Setting up and running the benchmark tool is easy. To get the most accurate benchmark results, close apps and don’t use the computer during testing. You must buy the Pro version if you want detailed performance monitoring and reporting features.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Advanced: $19
Website: Novabench
PassMark
Best for benchmarking and diagnosing system performance.
PassMark allows you to test the detailed performance of your computer. You can check and monitor 2D and 3D graphics performance. The free benchmarking tool also allows you to test processor, memory, and storage performance.
Features:
- Compare GPU, memory, and storage performance
- Customize tests
- Stress test
Verdict: PassMark is an easy-to-use and quick benchmarking tool to test GPU performance. The application can be used for benchmarking and comparing both desktop and mobile systems.
Price: Free
AIDA64 Extreme
AIDA64 Extreme is a GPU benchmark software that provides detailed information on computer components. The information given by this software can be saved in CSV (Comma Separated Values), HTML, or XML formats.
Features:
- This GPU benchmark software offers more than 50 pages of information on installed programs, software licenses, etc.
- It provides details of computer internals without the need to open it.
- Supports multi-threaded memory and cache to analyze system RAM bandwidth.
- It has a panel that can be used with different graphs, custom images linked with sensor data.
- AIDA64 Extreme can display data on devices like LCD or VFD (Variable Frequency Drive).
Conclusion:
Free graphics testing software is hard to find. It seems that whichever program you use it falls way short of what was promised or advertised. Not so with this program. You will get the performance results you seek without having to trial test all day long.