SPECapc Releases New 3ds Max 2011 Benchmark

The long-awaited update is available in an economical personal edition and a comprehensive professional version.

The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation's Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) group has released the long-awaited new benchmark test for evaluating the performance of systems running Autodesk 3ds Max 2011. Launched earlier this month, the updated test is available in professional and personal versions, both of which can be purchased from the organization's web site.

New features in SPECapc for 3ds Max 2011 include:

• Updated tests based on new functionality in 3ds Max 2011.
• An improved user interface that makes it easier to configure and run tests.
• Increased level of testing for shading and rendering in the professional version, including use of the Autodesk Quicksilver engine for accelerated CPU and GPU rendering.
• Automated benchmark results compilation in the professional version.

One Benchmark, Two Versions

The professional version of SPECapc for 3ds Max 2011 ($495) contains 58 tests for measuring modeling, interactive graphics, and CPU and GPU (graphics processing unit) performance. It includes a 32-million-polygon city scene that is modeled, rendered, and displayed in real time, testing the limits of high-end workstations with powerful CPU/GPU combinations. Licensees of the professional version of SPECapc for 3ds Max 2011 can publish benchmark results publicly and submit them for review and possible publication on the SPEC web site.

"The professional version is for organizations that can realize major bottom-line benefits from performance improvements running 3ds Max 2011," said Allen Jensen, SPECapc chair. "On the user side, that includes anyone for whom increased performance, better purchasing decisions, and more accurate scheduling projections are important business drivers. On the vendor side, it includes any organization that derives benefits from developing, marketing, and selling better-performing systems for running 3ds Max 2011."

The personal version of SPECapc for 3ds Max 2011 ($20) generates a single number from a subset of the tests in the professional version. The personal version is designed for those who are seeking more information about 3ds Max 2011 performance, but don't need a comprehensive test suite using large models and do not wish to publish test results.

A First for SPECapc

SPECapc for 3ds Max 2011 is the first pay-for-download benchmark from SPECapc.

"Industry vendors who are SPECapc members pay the bills for benchmarks that benefit the entire community," says Jensen, "and will likely continue to subsidize most of the development costs. But, we would like to see users and vendors who are not members of SPECapc but find our benchmarks valuable to their businesses make a contribution to our future efforts."