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PerformanceTest can save you money by helping you choose a new PC with the highest performance per dollar, choose new components (based on comparisons with the online database), get the most from your PC upgrades or give you bragging rights with your friends in the online community.

Version 6.0 improves on previous versions of PerformanceTest with a new 'game like' 3D graphics test using DirectX 9 features like vertex shader 2.0 and pixel shader 2.0 effects, integrated access to an online database of PC benchmarks where users can contribute and compare their benchmark results, a CD burning benchmark, a large memory application benchmark and improved reporting making it easier to compare different system benchmarks.

Other improvements include the updating of the CPU tests for 64bit computing, increased consistency of the standard disk tests, support for dual core CPUs, and the updating of the graphical user interface. PerformanceTest can now be used to benchmark both 32bit and native 64bit application performance.

With a single click PerformanceTest allows you to objectively benchmark a PC using a variety of different speed tests and then compare the results to other computers. Twenty-five individual benchmark tests are available in six test suites, CPU, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, memory, disk & CD. The benchmark results are presented as easy to read bar charts and up to 20 different systems can be graphed at the same time. Results can be printed, saved to disk as a new baseline file, exported as HTML or cut and pasted into another application. Additional baseline results can be downloaded from the PassMark online database or be exchanged via e-mail between friends and colleagues. PerformanceTest's small footprint allows it to be installed and run from a USB key drive, enabling users to do their own "in store" benchmarking when purchasing a PC.

In addition to benchmarking, PerformanceTest also displays system information such as CPU speed, cache memory and the installed video hardware for the computer being tested and all the baseline system results that have been installed. PerformanceTest can be used to measure the effect of configuration changes and upgrades, troubleshoot and diagnose performance problems and D.I.Y benchmarking.