Futuremark Releases Innovative Benchmark for Windows Vista: PCMark Vantage

Futuremark Corporation, the world's leading provider of performance-analysis benchmarks, software and services for PCs and handheld devices, announced today the release of PCMark(r) Vantage-the first objective hardware performance benchmark for PCs running 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows Vista(r). PCMark Vantage provides the PC industry, IT media and consumers with an overall PCMark performance score based on Windows Vista application tests, single and multi threaded CPU, graphics and hard disk drive (HDD) tests. Additionally, in a departure from previous versions of the product, PCMark Vantage shifts its focus from only providing pure hardware performance-analysis results, to generating accurate performance ratings based on popular Windows Vista Consumer Scenarios ranging from media and entertainment to productivity and communication. PCMark Vantage incorporates an updated interface with easier access to test details and selections, results, system info and other features.

An application based approach to performance testing PCMark Vantage includes eight distinct test suites; six that provide targeted hardware scores based on typical user scenarios, plus a HDD test set and an overall PCMark performance test score. Consumer Scenario Suites include the Memories Suite for digital image and video applications, the TV and Movies Suite for HD video task applications, the Gaming Suite for game (DirectX9) graphics performance, the Music Suite for audio task applications, and the Communications and Productivity Suites for gauging performance of searching, security tasks, application launch, browser functionality and word processing. Each test suite generates performance scores that replicate real-world system performance for the applications selected.

"PCMark Vantage takes a bold new direction in the world of PC benchmarks. Based on feedback we've received from our contacts in the PC and IT media, and our BDP (Benchmark Development Program) members, correlating tests into typical consumer usage profiles will have great value when it comes time to review hardware based on what the intended consumer application will be. For instance, an editorial review on gaming PCs versus systems intended for HD video content playback and processing can be based on a consistent set of tests that truly represent the application demands for that intended use," said Oliver Baltuch, President, Futuremark, Inc. "This new approach to benchmarking will provide the industry, the media and consumers with very specific, very tailored, very accurate Windows Vista application based performance results."

Test Details PCMark Vantage incorporates a sophisticated array of tests to generate accurate workloads that produce valid, fully comparable system performance scores. CPU test results are based on data encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, CPU image manipulation, audio and video transcoding, text editing, web page rendering, mail functionality, CPU artificial intelligence game test, contact creation and searching. Graphics test results are based on HD video playback, GPU image manipulation and GPU game tests. HDD test results are trace based (with the new 4K block size) using Windows Defender, Alan Wake game data streaming, image import, Windows Vista start-up, video editing, Media Center usage, Windows Media Player(tm) searching and cataloging, and loading of the following applications: Microsoft Word 2007, Adobe Photoshop(r) CS2, Internet Explorer and Outlook(r) 2007.

The six Consumer Scenario test suites are pre-correlated by intended usage and each contain a subset of the following tests as applicable: data encryption, decryption, compression and decompression, GPU and CPU image manipulation, image import, video playback, editing and transcoding, audio transcoding, GPU and CPU game tests, game data loading, web page rendering, mail operations, media player operations, contacts search, text editing and applicable HDD tests.

Each Consumer Scenario test suite generates a unique, fully comparable performance score for that series of tests. A comprehensive, overall PCMark score is generated by running the PCMark Suite. And the HDD Suite produces its own fully comparable performance score. All results can be uploaded, stored and compared in Futuremark's exclusive OnlineResult browser dependent on which version of PCMark Vantage that the user is running.

Industry Cooperation during Development Futuremark is known throughout the IT industry for producing well designed, unbiased and impartial benchmarks based on real-world, next generation workloads and PCMark Vantage exemplifies that reputation. Developed in conjunction with BDP members AMD, Compal, Dell, Gateway, Hitachi, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Seagate and Velocity Micro, this latest offering from Futuremark is a collaborative effort that reflects industry endorsed Windows Vista workloads.

PCMark Vantage Editions, Pricing and Availability PCMark Vantage is available now in Basic, Advanced and Professional editions. Futuremark furnishes PCMark Vantage to qualified members of the IT press and media on request. All editions are available at: http://futuremark.com/products/pcmarkvantage/

Differences between the Basic, Advanced and Professional editions are as follows:

PCMark Vantage Basic * $6.95 (download only - limited, free trial edition also available) * PCMark Test Suite * Network connection required to view results * Licensed for non-commercial and Personal Use only

PCMark Vantage Advanced * $19.95 (download only) * $29.95 (CD-ROM) * All Test Suites enabled * Advanced online services * Licensed for non-commercial and Personal Use only

PCMark Vantage Professional * $495.00/seat  (download version) * $495.00/seat (CD-ROM) * All Advanced version features * Full benchmark settings * Technical support * View results without network connection * Benchmark automation with command line options * Export results to Microsoft Excel(r) * Licensed for Full Commercial Use

About Futuremark(r) Corporation

Futuremark(r) Corporation is the leading provider of performance analysis software and services for PCs and smartphones. Futuremark(r) is known around the world for its benchmark products, including the 3DMark(r) and PCMark(r) Series, SPMark(tm) and VGMark(tm) (with more than 30 million copies distributed worldwide) and value-added services powered by a database of almost 20 million real life benchmarking results. Futuremark(r) maintains offices in Saratoga, California and Helsinki, Finland. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com.