PCMark

The Complete Benchmark for Windows

PCMark 8 is the latest version in our series of industry standard PC benchmarking tools. With PCMark 8 you can test the performance of all types of PC, from tablets to desktops. With five separate benchmark tests plus battery life testing, PCMark 8 helps you find the devices that offer the perfect combination of efficiency and performance. PCMark 8 is the complete PC benchmark for home and business.

The industry standard PC benchmark test for Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Combines performance testing with new battery life measurement tools.

Includes new tests using popular applications from Microsoft and Adobe.

Ideal for testing the performance of SSDs and hybrid storage devices.

Created with industry expertise

We create PCMark in cooperation with the world's leading technology companies using an open process that guarantees fair and neutral benchmark results.

Our PCMark Benchmark Development Program™ includes the widest range of OEMs, hardware manufactures, and software developers in the industry.

With every member having an equal voice we ensure that Futuremark benchmarks deliver relevant results that reflect the latest developments in hardware and software. And with Futuremark having the final say in all development decisions, we ensure that our benchmarks are impartial and free from bias.

Real-world relevance

What makes PCMark 8 different from other benchmarks? Real-world relevance.

With PCMark 8 you measure and compare PC performance using real-world tasks and applications. We've grouped these applications into scenarios that reflect typical PC use in the home and at the office.

This approach ensures that PCMark measures the things that matter, highlighting performance differences that will be apparent to end users and consumers.

Home test

Common home computing tests

The PCMark 8 Home benchmark includes workloads that reflect common tasks for a typical home user. These workloads have low computational requirements making PCMark 8 Home suitable for testing the performance of low-cost tablets, notebooks and desktops. Home includes workloads for web browsing, writing, gaming, photo editing, and video chat. The results are combined to give a PCMark 8 Home score for your system.

Creative test

Tests for experts and professionals

The PCMark 8 Creative benchmark includes workloads typical of enthusiasts and professionals who work with media and entertainment content. With more demanding requirements than the Home benchmark, this benchmark is suitable for mid-range computer systems. PCMark 8 Creative includes web browsing, photo editing, video editing, group video chat, media transcoding, and gaming workloads.

Work test

Simple office productivity tests

The PCMark 8 Work benchmark test measures your system's ability to perform basic office work tasks, such as writing documents, browsing websites, creating spreadsheets and using video chat. The Work benchmark is suitable for measuring the performance of typical office PC systems that lack media capabilities. The results from each workload are combined to give an overall PCMark 8 Work score for your system.

Storage test

Measure drive performance using real-world traces

Use the PCMark 8 Storage benchmark to test the performance of SSDs, HDDs and hybrid drives with traces recorded from Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office and a selection of popular games. You can test the system drive or any other recognised storage device, including local external drives. Unlike synthetic storage tests, the PCMark 8 Storage benchmark highlights real-world performance differences between storage devices.

Applications test

Benchmark with Adobe and Microsoft applications

The PCMark 8 Applications benchmark measures system performance using popular applications from the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. You can choose which tests to run based on the applications installed on your system. Each test automatically steps through a series of actions such as opening, editing and saving a file. The results are used to calculate the PCMark 8 Applications scores for the system.

Battery life testing

Measure battery life with realistic use patterns

PCMark 8 improves on previous versions by adding new battery life testing tools for Windows notebooks, laptops and tablets. The Home, Creative, Work and Applications benchmarks can be used for battery life testing. Choose Battery Life mode to loop the benchmark from a full charge until the battery is almost empty to accurately measure battery life under real-world conditions.

For business and commercial users

PCMark 8 Professional Edition

The industry standard benchmark that's easy to use.

Licensed for business and commercial use.

Includes all five performance benchmarking tests.

Easy to install and run, no complicated configuration required.

Measure the battery life of tablets and notebooks.

Test SSDs, HDDs and hybrid drives with the Storage test.

Use Expanded Storage tests for specialist drive analysis.

Benchmark with Adobe & Microsoft applications.

Run individual workloads to fine-tune your testing.

In-depth hardware monitoring graphs.

Command line automation and scripting.

Keep sensitive results private with the offline results option.

Export results as XML and PDF for analysis and reporting.

Priority technical support over email and telephone.

Site License

With a PCMark 8 Professional Edition site license you can use PCMark 8 on an unlimited number of systems for performance testing, research and development, component evaluation, competitor analysis and sales and marketing activities.

For governments and public organisations

PCMark 8 for vendor-neutral procurement

PCMark 8 is the ideal benchmark suite for governments and other public bodies seeking a vendor-neutral solution. It provides accurate, relevant, impartial and practical benchmarks for specifying and comparing the performance of Windows PCs, notebooks, and tablets.

Since its release, PCMark 8 has been incorporated into the tendering, procurement and purchasing departments of the governments of France, Germany, Northern Ireland, and Brazil as well as the European Commission.

For home users

PCMark 8 Advanced Edition

Everything you need to start benchmarking your Windows PC today.

Includes all five performance benchmarks.

Measure the battery life of your tablet or notebook.

Test your SSDs and HDDs with the Storage test.

Run individual workloads to fine-tune your system.

In-depth hardware monitoring graphs.

Automatically save your results offline.