SiSoftware has released a new version of its popular Sandra tool for remote analysis, benchmarking and diagnostic of PCs, servers and networks. Due to the growing interest for GPGPU features, the guys from SiSoftware has decided that the new Sandra 2009 should include these new technologies in order to ensure that it stays up to date.
 
According to the press release, the new Sandra comes with additional support in the graphics performance segment as it supports DirectX 9 and 10 as well as GPGPU (General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit) benchmarks. The two new modules that support these features is the Graphics Processing benchmark which tests the graphics performance and the Graphics Bandwidth test which benchmarks the memory bandwidth of the GPGPU.
 
The rest of the new modules are the Video Rendering and Video Memory test which basically benchmark the graphics performance and memory bandwidth of the video adapters. The last new feature is the Crytographic Performance benchmark which gives you a result of performance for modern processors that support hardware cryptographic engines using most common algorithms like AES AES128 and AES256 for encryption and decryption as well as the SHA (SHA1, SHA256) for hashing.
 
Other noted novelties are the so called "favorites tab" that will certainly make the life of a reviewer much easier as the favorite modules and tests that are run daily and weekly are organized in that tab for easier access. SiSoftware has also announced the Sandra Engineer PLUS version which is a portable version which can be run from a mini-CD.

It certainly seems that the guys from SiSoftware have put a lot of effort into this version and the introduction of the GPGPU and GFX tests will certainly make SiSoft Sandra much more popular.

You can find the download/upgrade and purchase link here, where you can also find the trial version.