At the moment, the new 3DMark is only available for Windows systems, but it should soon become a proper multi-platform benchmarking tool for other operating systems, including Android, iOS and Windows RT. This heterogeneous approach with homogenous results will be the key to 3DMark's future success.
Fire Strike is based completely on a DirectX 11 API and it delivers exceptional visual effects, top notch real-time graphics rendered with high detail and complexity. The eye candy packed benchmark is definitely worth a look and you can find the trailer here.
3DMark is still a sythetic test, but we believe it is a very good test that helps consumers makes the right decision when choosing their next upgrade. The benchmark results can give a good idea of real world gaming performance. It is easy for any user to compare their 3DMark scores on the internet, pitting the test rig against similar systems. You can get a free online account in case you want to manage your results.
3DMark is available in three Editions, Basic, Advanced and Professional Edition. The Basic one is free and include all three tests (except the Extreme preset for Fire Strike). The 3DMark Advanced Edition cost US $24.95 while the 3DMark Professional Edition, which is aimed for businesses and commercial use, costs US $995.