Benchmarking tool that evaluates the performance of a PC's graphics card by testing its shader capabilities.
ShaderMark is a freeware pixel shader app and benchmarker, developed by ToMMTi-Systems for Windows. It's pretty powerful.
The download has been tested by an editor here on a PC and a list of features has been compiled; see below.
A DirectX-based pixer shader benchmark tool
ShaderMark is a DirectX 9.0 pixel shader benchmark. All pixel and vertex shader code is written in Microsoft’s High Level Shading Language. ShaderMark provides the possibility to use different compiler targets and advanced options. It also features a picture quality comparison based on mean square error (MSE) values.
The picture quality mode allows comparison of the Microsoft reference rasterizer with the current hardware rasterizer. This works only for the default (1024x768x32 with No FSAA) settings! It will calculate an MSE for every shader. The MSE values give a rough overview of how close the hardware renderer matches the Microsoft reference rasterizer.
Features of ShaderMark
- Broad range of tests and options: A wide range of tests and options to get the most from your video card's capabilities.
- Gamma level and HDR light level control: The ability to control gamma level and HDR light level.
- Hotkey support: The ability to navigate the interface and change settings using keyboard and mouse hotkeys.
- Keyboard and mouse navigation: The ability to navigate the interface using keyboard and mouse.
- Light motion, HDR and shadow map options: Options to turn on or off light motion, HDR and shadow map features.
- Native HLSL pixel shader benchmark: A program that assesses the performance of your video card's hardware using HLSL technology.
- OSD summary: An on-screen display that summarizes the available options.
- Picture Quality Mode: A mode that calculates MSEs for every shader, comparing the Microsoft Reference Rasterizer with your card's rasterizer.
- Picture quality generation: The ability to generate results into text files and discuss with other benchmarkers.
- Precision and shader version options: The ability to adjust precision and shader version settings.
- SRGB textures and gamma correction: The program supports sRGB textures and gamma correction through DAC or frame write.
- Shader Model 3.0: The latest and most advanced technology for pixel shading and shader models.
- Support for shaders up to 3.0: The program is capable of handling the latest and most advanced shader models.
- User-friendly for all levels of experience: The program is suitable for users of all levels, from beginners to experts.
- Various rendering settings: Three categories of settings that allow you to customize the benchmark test, including choices for display adapters, refresh rate, back buffer format and more.
Compatibility and License
ShaderMark is provided under a freeware license on Windows from benchmark software with no restrictions on usage. Download and installation of this PC software is free and 2.1.130a is the latest version last time we checked.
What version of Windows can ShaderMark run on?
ShaderMark can be used on a computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems with no dedicated 64-bit download provided.
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