What is a synthetic benchmark and why is it needed?
Why are synthetic benchmarks needed?
Synthetic benchmarks play an important role in both the mobile device and computer component markets. They provide standardized tools that allow you to compare the performance of multiple devices of the same type in an unbiased way. In theory, everyone benefits from them. Buyers can count the number of points that different iPad models score in the Geekbench test and then decide whether they should pay up for an iPad Pro model with an M1 processor or be limited to a more modest and affordable model. At the same time, comprehensive performance tests are important for the development and improvement of products, allowing manufacturers to identify and eliminate weaknesses in software and hardware.
How synthetic tests work
Unlike real tests that evaluate device performance in everyday tasks, synthetic tests provide data showing how a notional processor, graphics card, or storage device behaves under intense conditions with near-extreme loads. This approach makes them a valuable tool for analyzing performance and finding weaknesses.
Typically, a benchmark includes a series of tests that simulate different types of workloads. For example, CPU performance tests may cover complex math calculations, data compression algorithms, encryption speed, image processing, or machine learning tasks. For GPUs, tests may include rendering game scenes, physics processing, OpenCL tests, and ray tracing. Many comprehensive programs also evaluate RAM performance and the speed of integrated drive.
Test results are usually presented as an overall score that can be compared to competing devices. Typically, higher values indicate better performance, attracting the attention of potential users. But it's important to realize that these results may not always accurately reflect the daily user experience. Therefore, they are often used in combination with the results of actual measurements.
Use of benchmarks in different types of devices
Each type of device has unique requirements and evaluation criteria, making benchmarks an essential tool for measuring specific performance parameters.
Performance tests for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices typically focus on multi-core processor power, graphics capabilities, battery efficiency, and media processing. Programs like Geekbench and AnTuTu provide users with information about how the iPhone Xr will cope with a variety of types of everyday tasks, whether it's navigation, video decoding or performance levels in COD Mobile.
Test software for processors, graphics cards, drives, and other computer components typically focuses on raw processing power and graphics performance. Popular application packages like Cinebench and 3DMark measure the ability of the CPU and GPU to handle complex tasks found in professional software and demanding games.
For other types of devices, it is important to consider the intended use. For example, for gaming consoles, the key is not only GPU power, but also performance combined with game engine optimization. And when testing an SSD, it is important not only to measure the linear data writing speed, but also to understand how quickly the speed begins to drop if the cache or buffer is full.
Most popular benchmarks
There are many synthetic benchmarking tools available, each designed to evaluate certain aspects of device performance. Here are some of the most well-known and widely used programs:
3DMark is one of the most popular tools for testing graphics performance. It is used to evaluate the ability of graphics cards and mobile devices to process computer graphics. The various tests in 3DMark cover everything from simple mobile games to visualizing complex game scenes on a PC.
Geekbench is a cross-platform benchmark that measures the performance of PC, laptop, and mobile processors. Conveniently, Geekbench tests both single-core and multi-core performance, provides closer to actual data.
PCMark provides comprehensive tests that measure overall system performance in typical office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, Internet surfing and video conferencing.
AnTuTu is a popular benchmark for mobile devices that evaluates the overall level of the device through a series of different tests for CPU, GPU, RAM and I/O. AnTuTu is widely used to compare the performance of smartphones and tablets and provides the user with a final rating that can later be compared with other devices.
Cinebench evaluates how PCs handle 3D graphics and animation rendering tasks, which is especially useful when evaluating CPU and GPU performance for professional work. Cinebench is based on the popular Cinema 4D application suite from the German company Maxon.
And these are just the most popular examples, and there are many narrow-profile benchmarks on the market that determine the maximum frequency of RAM, the degree of wear of the drive, the wireless signal transmission speed, etc.
How to correctly interpret the results of synthetic tests?
Correctly understanding the results of synthetic tests requires not only paying attention to the figures, but also being aware of their limitations. Benchmark results are numerical metrics that demonstrate a device's performance under controlled conditions. These figures help to better understand how well the device performs against its competitors. However, there are nuances here that you should be prepared for.
Some manufacturers may optimize their devices to specifically score higher so that marketers and brand advertisers can show their products in a more favorable light. One of the most striking examples is the experience of Mediatek, which has been criticized more than once for the fact that their processors are inflated with ratings, and the real performance of smartphones with Mediatek chips differs markedly from the results of synthetic tests. At one time, Samsung, Huawei and other smartphone manufacturers also got into similar scandals. That's why it's better to consider the results of benchmarks in pair with the results of real tests.
The results can also be greatly influenced by external factors. A successful or unsuccessful software or driver update can change the performance of the device. For example, the scores in Cinebench R19 do not match the scores for Cinebench R23 because the developers of this software slightly changed the general evaluation methods and adapted the tests for ARM processors. Also, physics should not be excluded. For example, the heat in the room can significantly affect the results of testing a processor or graphics card. And a full SSD will never perform as fast as a similar model with barely full storage.
Conclusion
Synthetic benchmarks play an invaluable role in the modern world of technology. For users, they provide an objective measure of device performance, which is critical when making purchasing decisions. By comparing benchmark results, you can easily determine which device is better at performing tasks that are important to a particular user, making the choice of the right electronics more meaningful and cost-effective.
When choosing the right benchmark, it is important to determine which aspects of performance are most important to your needs. For example, if you do professional graphics work, you might want to consider a benchmark that focuses on evaluating GPUs, such as 3DMark. For an overall assessment of your computer's performance, PCMark covers different types of workloads. We also have filters on our website for the most powerful gadgets ― for example, TOP smartphones according to Antutu or sorting, for example, by graphics card performance in the Passmark G3D Mark test.
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