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While many modern games come with built-in benchmarks to help you instantly assess whether your system runs the game smoothly or if settings are too high or too low, not everyone buys a PC just for gaming. For productivity or professional use, third-party benchmarking tools are a better way to measure your system's performance through detailed data.

Developed by Maxon, Cinebench R23 is a free CPU benchmarking tool that evaluates both single-core and multi-core performance using the Cinema 4D rendering engine to simulate real 3D scene rendering. It’s one of the most widely used benchmarking standards in the industry and among DIY enthusiasts. Bonus: It also supports macOS!

Created by CPUID, CPU-Z is a popular tool for viewing detailed hardware information. It also includes a built-in benchmark module that tests both single-core and multi-core performance using compute-heavy tasks. Unlike Cinebench, it doesn’t simulate real-world scenarios but provides quick and simple performance data.

3DMark is a professional-grade benchmarking tool for testing GPU and overall system performance. It can simulate gaming scenarios, heavy graphics rendering, ray tracing, and more—providing a performance score based on your hardware.In addition to GPU tests (like ray tracing and DirectX 12), it can also evaluate CPU performance. 3DMark is an all-in-one solution, but it comes with a price tag.

FurMark is a stress-testing tool specifically for GPUs. It pushes your graphics card to its limits with a highly demanding "furry donut" rendering, helping you test stability, temperature, and cooling efficiency. This type of testing is often referred to as a “burn-in test.” Thanks to its signature rotating donut graphics, FurMark is jokingly nicknamed "the donut test."





While many modern games come with built-in benchmarks to help you instantly assess whether your system runs the game smoothly or if settings are too high or too low, not everyone buys a PC just for gaming. For productivity or professional use, third-party benchmarking tools are a better way to measure your system's performance through detailed data.



Recommended CPU Benchmark Tools

Cinebench R23 – Free

Developed by Maxon, Cinebench R23 is a free CPU benchmarking tool that evaluates both single-core and multi-core performance using the Cinema 4D rendering engine to simulate real 3D scene rendering. It’s one of the most widely used benchmarking standards in the industry and among DIY enthusiasts. Bonus: It also supports macOS!







CPU-Z Benchmark – Free

Created by CPUID, CPU-Z is a popular tool for viewing detailed hardware information. It also includes a built-in benchmark module that tests both single-core and multi-core performance using compute-heavy tasks. Unlike Cinebench, it doesn’t simulate real-world scenarios but provides quick and simple performance data.







Recommended GPU Benchmark Tools

3DMark Benchmark – Paid

3DMark is a professional-grade benchmarking tool for testing GPU and overall system performance. It can simulate gaming scenarios, heavy graphics rendering, ray tracing, and more—providing a performance score based on your hardware.In addition to GPU tests (like ray tracing and DirectX 12), it can also evaluate CPU performance. 3DMark is an all-in-one solution, but it comes with a price tag.







FurMark Benchmark – Free

FurMark is a stress-testing tool specifically for GPUs. It pushes your graphics card to its limits with a highly demanding "furry donut" rendering, helping you test stability, temperature, and cooling efficiency. This type of testing is often referred to as a “burn-in test.” Thanks to its signature rotating donut graphics, FurMark is jokingly nicknamed "the donut test."





Get to Know the 4 Most Popular Benchmarking Tools for Testing CPUs and GPUs Today.

Recommended Software for Testing CPU and GPU Performance

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As a gamer, you may have come across recommendations online for AMD’s X3D series processors. Thanks to the use of AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, these processors offer exceptional gaming performance. But what exactly is 3D V-Cache technology, and how can the X3D series benefit gamers?

3D V-Cache is an advanced 3D packaging technique that stacks cache memory directly on top of the CPU. This innovation helps alleviate cache memory bottlenecks. The main advantage is the increased cache capacity, which reduces performance losses caused by cache misses.

| Advantages of the X3D Series Processors |

The X3D processors feature larger cache memory, optimizing memory access during gaming and resulting in higher frame rates.

To balance heat dissipation, the base frequency of X3D processors is slightly lower than that of their standard counterparts in the same generation.

↑ The X3D series CPUs can deliver higher gaming frame rates.(From 

| Who Should Consider Purchasing X3D Series Processors? |

Given the larger cache memory capacity of the X3D processors, they are primarily beneficial for gamers. However, they don’t offer significant advantages for productivity tasks or content creators. If your PC needs are focused on productivity or content creation, the X3D series may not be the best choice.

| The New Ryzen 7 9800X3D Improves on the Zen3 and Zen4 Weaknesses |

Earlier Zen3 and Zen4 X3D processors stacked the cache memory on top of the CPU core, leading to inefficient heat dissipation. This design prevented the CPU core from directly contacting the top cover, which caused cooling issues. The new Ryzen 7 9800X3D has swapped the positions of the CPU core and cache memory, allowing the core to directly contact the top cover. This change not only solves the heat buildup problem but also allows the X3D series to achieve higher processor clock speeds.

Check out the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Introduction Video





As a gamer, you may have come across recommendations online for AMD’s X3D series processors. Thanks to the use of AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, these processors offer exceptional gaming performance. But what exactly is 3D V-Cache technology, and how can the X3D series benefit gamers?



| What is 3D V-Cache Technology? |

3D V-Cache is an advanced 3D packaging technique that stacks cache memory directly on top of the CPU. This innovation helps alleviate cache memory bottlenecks. The main advantage is the increased cache capacity, which reduces performance losses caused by cache misses.





↑ Image Credit: Geek Bay



| Advantages of the X3D Series Processors |

1.Gaming Performance: 

The X3D processors feature larger cache memory, optimizing memory access during gaming and resulting in higher frame rates.



2.Lower Power Consumption: 

To balance heat dissipation, the base frequency of X3D processors is slightly lower than that of their standard counterparts in the same generation.





↑ The X3D series CPUs can deliver higher gaming frame rates.(From Geek Bay YT)



| Who Should Consider Purchasing X3D Series Processors? |

Given the larger cache memory capacity of the X3D processors, they are primarily beneficial for gamers. However, they don’t offer significant advantages for productivity tasks or content creators. If your PC needs are focused on productivity or content creation, the X3D series may not be the best choice.



| X3D vs. Non-X3D Series Processors |





| The New Ryzen 7 9800X3D Improves on the Zen3 and Zen4 Weaknesses |

Earlier Zen3 and Zen4 X3D processors stacked the cache memory on top of the CPU core, leading to inefficient heat dissipation. This design prevented the CPU core from directly contacting the top cover, which caused cooling issues. The new Ryzen 7 9800X3D has swapped the positions of the CPU core and cache memory, allowing the core to directly contact the top cover. This change not only solves the heat buildup problem but also allows the X3D series to achieve higher processor clock speeds.



Check out the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Introduction Video



The AMD X3D series processors use advanced packaging technology to stack cache memory, improving CPU performance, especially in gaming scenarios.

What Sets AMD X3D Processors Apart from Regular CPUs?

When choosing a CPU cooler, whether air or liquid, performance is just as important as aesthetics. But how do you evaluate the performance of a cooler? This is where the term 

 (Thermal Design Power) comes into play. Understanding TDP can help you select the right cooler for your needs, ensuring optimal cooling for your system.

TDP, or Thermal Design Power, refers to the maximum amount of heat a component, typically a CPU or GPU, generates under maximum load. In simpler terms, it is a theoretical measure of the heat a processor will output and is often used to determine the cooling requirements for that component.

While TDP is often listed on both CPUs and coolers, the meaning differs between the two:

In short, a CPU's TDP indicates how much heat it produces, and the cooler's TDP rating tells you how much heat it can effectively dissipate.

How to Choose the Right Cooler Based on the CPU's TDP?

When selecting a cooler, it’s essential to match the cooler’s TDP rating with the thermal output of your CPU. Let’s take the Intel i5-14600 as an example:

 single-tower, single-fan air cooler. With its copper heat pipes and a TDP rating of 200W, it can easily handle the thermal output of the i5-14600, while also providing the headroom to improve CPU performance.

However, if you’re opting for a more powerful CPU, such as the Intel i9-14900KS, the scenario changes. With a base power of 150W and a turbo power of 253W, air cooling may not be enough to meet the cooling demands.

In such a case, a liquid AIO cooler would be a better option. For example, the DN-360 Ice Storm AIO Liquid Cooler, with a TDP rating of 320W, is an excellent choice for high-end CPUs like the i9-14900KS. Not only does it have impressive cooling performance, but its fan design allows you to connect all fan cables with a single wire, making the setup much more convenient.

TDP (Thermal Design Power) is a critical factor to consider when choosing a cooler, as it helps you select the right product for your CPU's thermal requirements. Understanding TDP ensures that you choose a cooler capable of effectively managing the heat output of your processor, which will keep your system stable and help maintain optimal performance.

In summary, whether you are building a budget system or a high-performance rig, understanding the TDP values of both your CPU and cooler is essential. By selecting a cooler with a TDP rating that matches or exceeds the thermal output of your CPU, you can ensure efficient cooling and a more stable, high-performing system.





When choosing a CPU cooler, whether air or liquid, performance is just as important as aesthetics. But how do you evaluate the performance of a cooler? This is where the term TDP (Thermal Design Power) comes into play. Understanding TDP can help you select the right cooler for your needs, ensuring optimal cooling for your system.



What is TDP?

TDP, or Thermal Design Power, refers to the maximum amount of heat a component, typically a CPU or GPU, generates under maximum load. In simpler terms, it is a theoretical measure of the heat a processor will output and is often used to determine the cooling requirements for that component.



While TDP is often listed on both CPUs and coolers, the meaning differs between the two:





On a CPU, TDP represents the heat output of the processor. A higher TDP indicates that the CPU generates more heat, which typically correlates with higher performance.



On a cooler, TDP indicates the cooling capacity of the cooler. A higher TDP value on a cooler means that the cooler is capable of handling higher heat output, ensuring efficient thermal dissipation.



In short, a CPU's TDP indicates how much heat it produces, and the cooler's TDP rating tells you how much heat it can effectively dissipate.





How to Choose the Right Cooler Based on the CPU's TDP?

When selecting a cooler, it’s essential to match the cooler’s TDP rating with the thermal output of your CPU. Let’s take the Intel i5-14600 as an example:





The base power of the Intel i5-14600 is 65W, with a turbo power of 154W. For this CPU, you would need a cooler that can handle at least 154W of heat dissipation.



A good choice for the i5-14600 is the Z4 Pro Mist single-tower, single-fan air cooler. With its copper heat pipes and a TDP rating of 200W, it can easily handle the thermal output of the i5-14600, while also providing the headroom to improve CPU performance.



However, if you’re opting for a more powerful CPU, such as the Intel i9-14900KS, the scenario changes. With a base power of 150W and a turbo power of 253W, air cooling may not be enough to meet the cooling demands.



In such a case, a liquid AIO cooler would be a better option. For example, the DN-360 Ice Storm AIO Liquid Cooler, with a TDP rating of 320W, is an excellent choice for high-end CPUs like the i9-14900KS. Not only does it have impressive cooling performance, but its fan design allows you to connect all fan cables with a single wire, making the setup much more convenient.





Why Understanding TDP Matters

TDP (Thermal Design Power) is a critical factor to consider when choosing a cooler, as it helps you select the right product for your CPU's thermal requirements. Understanding TDP ensures that you choose a cooler capable of effectively managing the heat output of your processor, which will keep your system stable and help maintain optimal performance.



In summary, whether you are building a budget system or a high-performance rig, understanding the TDP values of both your CPU and cooler is essential. By selecting a cooler with a TDP rating that matches or exceeds the thermal output of your CPU, you can ensure efficient cooling and a more stable, high-performing system.

When choosing a CPU cooler, whether air or liquid, performance is just as important as aesthetics.

What is TDP? Why TDP is an Essential Metric for Evaluating Cooler Performance

As an enthusiast of games and computer DIY in this age, we, darkFlash, feel proud and grateful for keep thinking how to develop impressive and extraordinary products with high-end facilities by assembling and using the PC cases, CPU coolers, case fans, and even gaming chairs and tables in person.

Our goal is to create products that could extremely exert its effect by every user.