Futuremark Releases Free 3DMark and PCMark Updates

Updated versions offer fixes, new features and enables Windows Vista™ for 3DMark06 and PCMark05

Saratoga, California USA - November 29, 2006 - Futuremark Corporation today released free updates to its 3DMark06, 3DMark05 and PCMark05 benchmark suites. The 3DMark series is the worldwide industry standard PC benchmark series for objectively measuring and comparing DirectX 3D performance. PCMark05 is positioned as an overall system performance analysis tool for home PCs. Futuremark's PCMark and 3DMark products have generated over 13 million performance results.

Downloadable patches update 3DMark06 to version 1.1.0 and PCMark05 to version 1.2.0. A downloadable full installer updates 3DMark05 to version 1.3.0. Only scores obtained via these new versions, using approved drivers, will be used in official statistics, comparisons and services provided by Futuremark.

Enabling Windows Vista™

To support performance analysis on PC's running Microsoft® Windows Vista operating system Futuremark's 3DMark06 and PCMark05 will be Vista enabled. Updated benchmark performance results on Windows Vista systems have been tested and verified by Futuremark as valid and fully comparable. Next generation benchmarks from Futuremark slated for 2007, will be the official native Vista benchmarks from Futuremark.

"Our users, PC media and partner companies around the world have expressed enthusiasm for running our benchmarks on Windows Vista systems", said Oliver Baltuch, VP Sales and Marketing North America. "Though 3DMark06 and PCMark05 were developed for Windows XP, these Vista enabled updates will allow them to run flawlessly under Windows Vista, giving users the opportunity to measure gaming and system performance on the new operating system today. While these patches do not add support or features for the next generation DirectX, we will release completely new native Windows Vista benchmarks in 2007."

Result Analyzer

With these updates, Futuremark introduces a new online result view mode for all editions of the benchmarks, including free versions. Additionally, the Result Analyzer offered in all versions will enable users to get an online analysis of their system, and compare their results. This new online service is one of the key components of Futuremark's next generation of PC benchmarks.

"Encouraging our users to go online for a full system analysis provides each user a clearer snapshot of what their score really means, and how well their system can run games and real world applications", said Tero Sarkkinen, EVP of sales and marketing. "The Result Analyzer is a unique service we've recently launched, and initial feedback about the service has been overwhelming from beta testers, PC media and companies with an interest in the future of PCs."

Selected Technical Details

Selected update details are listed below; a full list of fixes and technical data can be found on the Futuremark website. 3DMark05 1.3.0 is not Windows Vista enabled and should only be used on 32 bit Windows XP systems with the latest updates.

3DMark06 1.1.0:

• Windows Vista enabled;
• Internet Explorer 7 compatibility;
• Improved start-up speed by optimizing the SystemInfo component;
• Updated SystemInfo component with support for the latest CPU and graphics hardware;
• Fixes all reported & reproduced issues.

PCMark05 1.2.0:

• Windows Vista enabled;
• Internet Explorer 7 compatibility;
• Fixed Windows Media Player version detection;
• Improved start-up speed by optimizing the SystemInfo component;
• Updated SystemInfo component with support for the latest CPU and graphics hardware;
• Fixes all reported & reproduced issues.

3DMark05 1.3.0:

• Internet Explorer 7 compatibility;
• Improved start-up speed by optimizing the SystemInfo component;
• Updated SystemInfo component with support for the latest CPU and graphics hardware;
• Fixes all reported & reproduced issues.

Availability

Futuremark's official mirror sites carry these free updates for 3DMark06, 3Dmark05 and PCMark05 users. A complete list of the official mirrors can be found at http://www.futuremark.com/download/

A free evaluation copy of any Futuremark PC benchmark product is available to qualified PC media. Please email marketing@futuremark.com with "SoftwareEval" in the subject line and include the name of the publication that you represent in the body of your request.

About Futuremark® Corporation

Futuremark® Corporation is the leading provider of performance analysis software and services for PCs and smartphones. Futuremark® is known around the world for its benchmark products, including the 3DMark® and PCMark® Series, SPMark® and VGMark™ (with more than 30 million copies distributed worldwide) and value-added services powered by a database of over 13 million real life benchmarking results. Futuremark® maintains offices in Saratoga, California and Helsinki, Finland. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com

© 2006 Futuremark® Corporation. 3DMark®, PCMark®, SPMark®, and VGMark trademarks and logos, Futuremark® character names and distinctive likenesses, are the exclusive property of Futuremark Corporation. Windows Vista is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective companies.

Futuremark Contact

Futuremark Corporation
Phone: +1-408-517-0910
Mr. Oliver Baltuch
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America
Email: ollie@futuremark.com