A Guide to Benchmarks (2024)

How to choose a new PC or smartphone the easy way

We know that choosing a new PC, smartphone or tablet is hard. With many options to choose from and no easy way to compare them, no wonder people worry about making the right choice.

We make benchmarking software for testing the performance of PCs, laptops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones. A benchmark is simply a test that helps you compare similar products.

Each of our benchmarks produces a score. The higher the score, the better the performance. So instead of trying to compare devices by looking at their specifications, you can just compare the benchmark scores. It's that easy.

You can see which products offer the best value for money by looking for the perfect combination of a high benchmark score paired with a low price.

Our benchmark tests are designed around the ways that people use PCs and mobile devices in their everyday lives. We help retailers use benchmark scores to define categories such as "basic", "home", "produce" and "create" that help people understand a system's capabilities.

Choosing a new PC from within a category is not only easier, but also helps you avoid paying too much for an over-specified system or making a false saving on a cheaper system that doesn't have the performance to meet your needs.

You can read more about our benchmarks below. Each one has a free version that you can download to test your own PC. Comparing your score with the results from recent models is a great way to see if it's time for an upgrade or replacement.

A Guide to Benchmarks (1)

3DMark

The Gamer's Benchmark

A Guide to Benchmarks (2)

3DMark​ is a popular benchmarking app for gamers who want to play the latest games. With a range of tests for different types of hardware, from laptops to desktops, 3DMark is the ideal benchmark for comparing the performance of gaming PCs.

Find out more

PCMark 10

The Industry Standard

A Guide to Benchmarks (3)

PCMark​ ​10​ tests performance for everyday activities like browsing websites, video chat, writing and spreadsheets, photo and video editing, and playing games. It can be used with all types of PC, from tablets and hybrids to notebooks and desktops.

Find out more

VRMark

The Virtual Reality Benchmark

A Guide to Benchmarks (4)

VRMark​ ​is a benchmark app that tests a PC's ability to support smooth and enjoyable virtual reality experiences. A PC that can pass the VRMark Orange Room benchmark test is VR-ready for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, the two most popular VR systems available today.

Find out more

About UL Solutions' benchmarks

We are the leading independent benchmark developer. We make the world’s most widely-used performance tests for PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Find out more at benchmarks.UL.com.

About UL Solutions

UL Solutions is a global safety science company with more than a century of expertise and innovation in the fields of product safety testing, inspection and verification services. Find out more at UL.com.

A Guide to Benchmarks (2024)
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