3D Mark 2005 launches for PC
by Kit

Thursday, September 30 2004

Newest version of benchmark program now available.

Futuremark Corporation today announced that 3DMark 2005 is now available for download.

3DMark05 enables objective cross-platform performance comparisons and incorporates many new features and technologies. The all-new engine and tests were developed within Futuremark's Benchmark Development Program whose members include: 3DLabs, AMD, ATI, Dell, Gateway, Imagination Technologies (PowerVR), Innovision, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, S3, and XGI.

3DMark05 features the latest DirectX 9.0c shader models; 2.0, 2.a, 2.b and 3.0.

New Features in 3DMark05 include:

- Full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0c;
- Supporting the latest pixel- and vertex shader models (2.0, 2.a, 2.b and 3.0)
- Three new game tests, all requiring hardware for DirectX 9.0 with support for pixel shader 2.0 or higher;
- Two CPU tests, the other one presenting a multithreaded AI implementation, especially suitable for virtual or physical multiprocessor systems;
- New feature and batch size tests;
- New and improved image, filtering and anti-aliasing quality tools;
- New graph tool for in-depth performance analysis

3DMark05 is available immediately for consumers from
http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark05/ for $19.95 (download) or $29.95 (CD-ROM) and for business use for $250.00 (CD-ROM) or $240.00 (download). There is also a limited functionality evaluation version available for free at http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark05.shtml.

--- Kit