Benchmarking is the act of measuring your computer’s hardware and software performance e.g. Graphics, speed, and GPU performance typically in order to find out the cause of issues or to improve your system’s performance.
Today, I’ll list the best apps that you can use to run benchmark tests to measure your Mac’s performance.
1. Disk Speed Test
Disk Speed Test is a benchmark app developed by Blackmagic whose purpose is to check your Mac disk’s performance when working with HD videos.
It does this by using large data blocks to write test your disk as well as write and read tests in order to evaluate not only your disk’s performance but also its readability over time.
2. Geekbench
Geekbench is a free cross-platform processor benchmark that measures your computer’s performance by running several simulations of real-world usage and complex challenges.
Its test result displays a single-core score which shows the performance of your Mac operating with only one core; and a multi-core score which shows your Mac’s performance with all cores running. It is free to use on a single machine with premium versions available.
3. Cinebench
Cinebench is a free cross-platform benchmark app that measures the ability of Cinema 4D’s ability to take advantage of your computer’s processor and multiple CPU cores.
Its simulation demo shows a video of cars in different textures made up of millions of polygons coupled with several visual effects such as transparency, environments, and lighting.
4. Novabench
Novabench is a freemium benchmark app that analyzes your system’s GPU, memory, CPU, speed, and disk speed using complex real-world simulations.
A click of a button starts full tests which complete in 2 minutes and what’s even cooler is its online database of results that you can compare your test results to.
5. UNIQUE Benchmarks
UNIQUE Benchmarks is a freemium cross-platform benchmark app designed to calculate the stability of your computer’s GPU under stressful conditions coupled with testing its colling potential under high heat output.
Powered by UNIQUE Engine, UNIQUE Benchmarks provides users with an interactive experience wherein they are able to explore the simulated worlds using walk-through and fly-by modes.
6. Count It
Count It is a 100% free benchmark app designed to calculate your Mac’s frame rate counter especially when recording your gameplay.
It features a hotkey icon that unintrusively runs tests to calculate your system’s FPS and enables you to even save the game resolution settings that promotes your PC’s best performance for each game.
7. Phoronix Test Suite
Phoronix Test Suite is a free and open source automated benchmarking utility for Mac, Windows, Linux, GNU Hurd, Solaris, and BSD Operating Systems.
It features 450+ test profiles and 100+ test suites via OpenBenchmarking.org, an easy-to-use UI, remote management, automation of multiple test systems thanks to its Phoromatic system, etc.
8. GFX Bench
GFX Bench is a free unified graphics benchmark utility macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. It is based on GLBenchmark (OpenGL ES) and DXBenchmark (Direct X) and designed for measuring mobile and desktop performance using increased workloads and advanced graphics effects.
Just like Novabench, it has an online results database where you can compare your test results to those from other users.
9. Tyler’s Frame Machine
Tyler’s Frame Machine is a simple, lightweight, cross-platform, portable utility for performance testing, calibration, framerate comparison, benchmarking, and demonstration.
It is mostly used for educational purposes and supports OpenGL, DirectX 11 and 12, Metal and Vulkan which allows it to run benchmark tests on virtually anything.
10. iBench
iBench is a free and open source benchmarking application for running comprehensive benchmark tests on Macs. It contains 12 integer workload and 9 floating point tests which it uses to evaluate the memory subsystem and CPU performance of your computer.
Note: Quit all apps before running your benchmark tests and to take multiple ones as well – finding the average of 2 or 3 tests will give you a more accurate report on your Mac’s performance.
Now that you know the best benchmark apps that exist for the Mac platform you can evaluate your system’s performance from the convenience of your sitting room. Got any suggestions to add or user experience to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments box below.
Anyone know of a way to benchmark your Mac OS?
Blackmagic and Aja System are others good benchmark for IO devices.
Benchmark isn’t free.