After building a brand-new PC, it’s crucial to validate that your components are performing as expected.
Benchmarking tools allow you to test your CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and overall system stability. They help detect hardware issues, thermal problems, or underperforming parts before they become serious.
Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or general PC enthusiast, benchmarking offers a measurable way to understand and optimize your build.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most trusted and effective benchmarking tools to use in 2025 for different components of your PC.
From synthetic tests to real-world gaming simulations, these tools provide both numbers and context to ensure your system is operating at its full potential.
Why Benchmarking Matters After a New Build
When you build a new PC, benchmarking helps:
- Verify hardware functionality
- Detect thermal throttling or poor airflow
- Compare performance against similar builds
- Validate overclocking or tuning results
- Spot driver or BIOS-related performance issues
Benchmarks are also great for bragging rights or comparing how different upgrades (like switching GPUs or RAM) impact overall performance.
CPU Benchmarks
1. Cinebench R23
Cinebench is a staple in the benchmarking world. It tests your CPU using real-world rendering tasks.
What it tests:
- Multi-threaded performance (all cores)
- Single-threaded performance
Why use it:
- Easy to run and interpret
- Great for comparing against other CPUs
- Helps confirm thermal performance and boost behavior
Ideal for: Gamers, creators, and users who want to validate their CPU is reaching expected performance levels.
2. Geekbench 6
Geekbench is a cross-platform benchmarking tool for CPU and GPU.
What it tests:
- Integer and floating-point performance
- Crypto performance
- Machine learning (AI) workloads
Why use it:
- Compares your score against a massive online database
- Offers fast, repeatable tests
Ideal for: General users and professionals who want a quick but meaningful performance overview.
3. CPU-Z Bench
Built into the popular CPU-Z utility, this benchmark is lightweight and compares your CPU to baseline models.
Why use it:
- No need for extra software
- Useful for quick checks or after BIOS updates
GPU Benchmarks
4. 3DMark (Time Spy & Fire Strike)
3DMark from UL is the gold standard for GPU testing.
What it tests:
- DirectX 11 and 12 performance
- GPU and CPU coordination
- Ray tracing capabilities
Why use it:
- Provides separate CPU and GPU scores
- Easy to compare against similar systems
- Includes stress tests
Popular modes:
- Time Spy (DX12)
- Fire Strike (DX11)
- Speed Way (DX12 Ultimate)
- Port Royal (Ray tracing)
Ideal for: Gamers and enthusiasts who want detailed GPU scores and validation.
5. Unigine Superposition
Unigine’s Superposition is a GPU-focused benchmark with beautiful visuals and realistic physics.
What it tests:
- GPU stability and rendering performance
- Real-time lighting and shadows
Why use it:
- Includes extreme presets (4K, 8K)
- Great for spotting instability in overclocked GPUs
RAM and Memory Benchmarks
6. AIDA64 Extreme (Memory Benchmark)
AIDA64 provides detailed diagnostics, including RAM latency, bandwidth, and access times.
What it tests:
- Memory read/write/copy speeds
- Latency
- Cache performance
Why use it:
- Perfect for fine-tuning memory (EXPO/XMP)
- Helps validate stability after RAM overclocking
7. MemTest86
We mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating for memory validation.
What it tests:
- Memory errors and corruption under various patterns
Why use it:
- Must-have after installing new RAM
- Detects hardware faults better than most stress tests
Storage Benchmark
8. CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark is the go-to tool for SSD and HDD testing.
What it tests:
- Sequential and random read/write speeds
- Queue depth handling
Why use it:
- Confirms NVMe SSDs are installed in correct slots
- Validates PCIe Gen 4/Gen 5 speeds
- Helps detect bottlenecks in OS or game loading
9. AS SSD Benchmark
An alternative to CrystalDiskMark, AS SSD focuses on drive latency and real-world access scenarios.
What it tests:
- Access time
- Compression performance
- File copy simulation
Why use it:
- Helps measure boot drive responsiveness
Full-System and Stress Benchmarks
10. PassMark PerformanceTest
A complete system benchmark that tests CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage in one run.
What it tests:
- Mixed workloads across all hardware
- Network and disk performance
Why use it:
- Provides an overall system score
- Great for comparing full builds side-by-side
11. OCCT (Power Test)
OCCT is primarily a stress tester but includes system benchmarks that mimic real workloads.
Why use it:
- Identifies weak links under high load
- Monitors power draw, temperatures, and fan behavior
Ideal for: Builders checking power supply capacity and system thermals.
12. UserBenchmark (Use with Caution)
UserBenchmark has been controversial due to score biases but still provides quick baseline results for comparison.
Why use it:
- Easy to run
- Gives instant “percentile” rating for each part
Not ideal for: High-end users or serious validation due to skewed results.
How to Benchmark Properly
To get the most accurate results:
- Close all background apps (Discord, Chrome, updates)
- Use balanced or performance power plans
- Monitor temperatures with HWiNFO64 during tests
- Compare scores online with similar setups
- Run benchmarks after driver updates or BIOS tweaks to measure changes
- Document results to track future upgrades or overclocking success
Which Tools Should You Install First?
If you’re building a PC and just finished installing Windows and drivers, here’s a recommended benchmarking sequence:
- Cinebench R23 – Confirm CPU boost and thermals
- 3DMark Time Spy – Test GPU performance
- CrystalDiskMark – Validate SSD installation
- AIDA64 Memory Benchmark – Confirm RAM configuration
- OCCT – Stress test for 15–30 minutes
- PassMark or Geekbench – General system performance snapshot
Optional: Unigine Superposition or MemTest86 for extended testing
Final Thoughts: Know Your Build Inside and Out
Benchmarking isn’t just for enthusiasts—it’s a key part of any successful PC build.
Whether you want to confirm your system is stable, compare it against online databases, or just enjoy the satisfaction of seeing high scores, these tools provide clarity, insight, and confidence.
From verifying that your RTX 4070 Super is performing at its peak to checking if your Gen 5 SSD hits expected speeds, benchmarking ensures your hard-earned investment is delivering the performance you paid for.
