Marking Time: 3DMark 11 Performance Explored

3DMark 11 doesn't just add support for a new API; it offers a much finer degree of control over specific test options. While the uptake on DirectX 11 is rumored to be faster than DX10's ever was, the console-centric nature of the gaming industry means it could be quite some time before we see a number of titles on the market that actually prioritize DX11 as opposed to supporting it for marketing's sake.


The changes Futuremark made to this latest version of the benchmark should help ensure it remains a neutral standard in the years to come. It's difficult to determine how accurately the suite forecasts DX11 performance in real-world games--the dearth of titles prevents a reasonably thorough comparison--but we think there's a good chance the benchmark will prove to be a relative predictor and a useful tool for comparing various aspects of DX11 performance.  You can expect to see 3DMark 11 in our upcoming graphics card evaluations and the like.