Futuremark Working on 3DMark for Windows 8

By Kevin Parrish
published

Futuremark is releasing 3DMark for Windows 8 sometime next year.

Monday Futuremark said that it's already working on a new version of 3DMark that's designed for gaming performance measurement and comparison across all Windows 8 tablets, notebooks and desktops. This upcoming Windows 8-specific edition will also support both x86 and ARM-based architectures.

"With Windows 8 gamers will be able to enjoy their games on a wide range of devices from lightweight tablets to heavy-duty desktop rigs," said Jukka Mäkinen, CEO of Futuremark. "Faced with so much choice it will be hard to work out which devices offer the best value for money. Fortunately 3DMark for Windows 8 will be our most wide-reaching 3DMark ever, able to accurately measure and compare gaming performance across all devices and graphical feature sets available with Windows 8."

Little else is known about 3DMark for Windows 8 (working title) thus far, but Futuremark plans to release the software sometime next year. As indicated, it will measure and compare gaming performance on all Windows 8 devices. It will even offer users a choice of benchmarking in Metro UI or "classic" Windows environments using "stunning real-time scenes" that stress test all levels of hardware.

Monday Futuremark invited companies to contribute in the development of 3DMark for Windows 8 via its Futuremark Benchmark Development Program (BDP). This program already includes AMD, Nvidia, Microsoft, Imagination Technology, Dell, HP and other well known companies. Those wishing to participate in the BDP should head here to get specific contact information.

Kevin Parrish
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    With Windows 8 gamers will be able to enjoy their games on a wide range of devices from lightweight tablets to heavy-duty desktop rigs

    Wrong. "Gamers" and "tablets" do not go together.
    Reply
  • drwho1
    amk-aka-PhantomWrong. "Gamers" and "tablets" do not go together.

    Agreed.
    Reply
  • DEY123
    It will be interesting to see if BD closes the gap on (*gulp*) Phenom 2 and intel
    Reply
  • DEY123
    amk-aka-PhantomWrong. "Gamers" and "tablets" do not go together.
    so what is someone who plays a game on a tablet...maybe they aren't a hard core gamer but it seems to me they are a gamer.

    Also I think the real point her is that Win 8 tablets will basically run the same OS as a Win 8 desktop
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    9325591 said:
    so what is someone who plays a game on a tablet...maybe they aren't a hard core gamer but it seems to me they are a gamer.

    Also I think the real point her is that Win 8 tablets will basically run the same OS as a Win 8 desktop

    1) No, they're NOT gamers. They're tablet owners who play games, mostly to kill time. Feel the difference. A gamer immerses in games and takes them seriously; you can't take Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja seriously, they aren't made for that.

    2) No it won't, tablets run ARM and x86 on tablets so far is a total fail battery life wise.
    Reply
  • Cryio
    Windows 8, for tablets? Since when do tables have DirectX 11.1? This I'd like to see.
    Reply
  • joytech22
    otacon721) You take things FAR too seriously...jeezus. 2) Um yes it will. Windows 8 will use the tile GUI on tablets and the desktop gui on desktops...same OS. 3) Come down off your soap box.
    Actually wrong for number 2, games on Windows 8 will be dependent on which instruction set it's made for, x86 will not work on ARM and vice versa.

    Two versions of the same game will likely be developed, like how they port games from 360 to PC and whatever.
    Reply
  • Diabolix
    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/futuremark-3DMark-Windows-9-benchmark-ARM,13976.html

    Page URL from the future!
    Reply
  • joytech22
    ^You mean the past? :\ I better stop commenting.
    Reply
  • ojas
    I'm actually getting a bit excited now. 2012 seems to be a big year for tech...

    Diabolixhttp://www.tomshardware.com/news/f 13976.htmlPage URL from the future!You've linked to the same page....?...?....
    Reply