If you have been a part of the overclocking scene for any amount of time, Futuremark should not be a stranger to you.   Since 3DMark 2001, Futuremark has led the industry; gaining a widespread adoption of their performance benchmarking software.  While 3DMark may be the brightest star in Futuremark's constellation due to its focus on gaming, PCMark addresses a wider audience as a benchmark that tests a full range of system capabilities.  PCMark 2005 generally kept with the same look and feel of the other Futuremark suites, using a similar menu system and  access to the ORB. 

     The new PCMark, however, takes a slightly different track.  Abandoning the old naming convention, the new PCMark is not "PCMark 07", instead it is now called "PCMark Vantage".  This is perhaps indicative of further changes in the PC Mark testing methodology.  So, let's not waste any further time and see what the new PCMark Vantage has to offer us. 

Minimum System Recommendations:

•  PCMark Vantage package requires approx. 800 MB of hard disk space and running the tests requires additional 800 MB space.

•  Modern CPU with SSE2 support.

•  SM2.0 compliant graphics card for the GPU gaming test.

•  SM3.0 compliant graphics card for the GPU image manipulation test.

•  Microsoft Windows Vista™

     Eagle eyed readers will notice what will likely be the biggest deal breaker; the requirement to run Windows Vista.  While some may snub their nose at this requirement, others will only see this as further vindication of Vista as a viable operating system.  The reason for the Vista only requirement is that Vantage actually relies on several different components of Vista in order to run.  The other requirements are pretty much in line with any modern PC. 

Features and Specifications:

PCMark Vantage Basic

•  $6.95 (download only - limited free trial edition also available)

• PCMark Test Suite

• Network connection required to view results

• Licensed for non-commercial and Personal Use only 

PCMark Vantage Advanced

•  $19.95 (download only)

•  All Test Suites enabled

•  Advanced online services

•  Licensed for non-commercial and Personal Use only

PCMark Vantage Professional

•  $495.00/seat (download version)

•  $495.00/seat (CD-ROM)

•  All Advanced edition features

•  Full benchmark settings

•  Technical support

•  View results without network connection

•  Benchmark automation with command line options

•  Export results to Microsoft Excel

•  Licensed for Full Commercial Use

PCMark Vantage Benefits

• Industry endorsed benchmark tools provide accurate hardware performance data for computers running Windows Vista

• Application based test suites enable benchmarking that replicates real-world consumer usage

• Tests are incredibly easy to run, and easy to compare with standardized results scores and the Online Result Browser 
• Fully customizable settings and test suite selections allow users to tailor the benchmark to exactly suit their needs

PCMark Vantage Advanced Features:

• Full Sets of Scores for all categories + Use of ORB Functionality

•  Multi-threaded test scenarios and support for the latest technologies, including Multi-Core CPU’s, and 3D GPU Shading

•  Test scenarios for High Definition TV and Movies, Gaming, Our Memories, Music, Communication and Productivity

•  Brand New HDD Suite of Tests for the latest Hard Drives

•  Approved for private and non-commercial Use Only

• Full Sets of Scores for all categories + Use of ORB Functionality

• View Results without network connectivity

•  Command Line Interface and Batch run functions for large scale testing needs

•  Results Export Function

•  Fully Customizable settings and test selection

•  Priority support

•  Multi-threaded test scenarios and support for the latest technologies, including Multi-Core CPU’s, and 3D GPU Shading

•  Test scenarios for High Definition TV and Movies, Gaming, Our Memories, Music, Communication and Productivity

•  Brand New HDD Suite of Tests for the latest Hard Drives

•  Fully Approved for business and commercial use

Installation and Testing:

     Installation and registration are no different than any other Futuremark program, so we won't really go in depth here.  You download the program, install it like anything else, and enter the registration code. The software takes about 784MB of hard drive space to install, most of which is in the "data.dat" file.

     PCMark Vantage is arranged into several different suites, each tackling a different task.  There are seven suites in total, in addition to the "PCMark Suite" that combines tests from all the other suites as well as its own tests to generate the all-powerful PCMark Vantage score. Basic users will only be able to run the PCMark Suite, while Advanced and Pro users can mix and match the suites as they please. Running all suites takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half to run.  Here is Futuremarks description of all the suites:

PCMark Suite: The PCMark Suite is a collection of various single- and multi-threaded CPU, Graphics and HDD test sets with the focus on Windows Vista application tests. Tests have been selected to represent a subset of the individual Windows Vista Consumer Scenarios. PCMark Suite includes CPU, Graphics, Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and a subset of Consumer Suite tests Note: Only the PCMark Suite will provide a PCMark Score.

Memories Suite: The tests in the Memories Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista Memories Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common Memories scenario usage. Memories Suite gives a separate PCMark Memories Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

TV and Movies Suite: The tests in the TV and Movies Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista TV and Movies Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common TV and Movies usage. TV and Movies Suite give a separate PCMark TV and Movies Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

Gaming Suite: The tests in the Gaming Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista Gaming Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common Gaming usage. Gaming Suite gives a separate PCMark Gaming Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

Music Suite: The tests in the Music Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista Music Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common Music usage. Music Suite gives a separate PCMark Music Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

Communications Suite: The tests in the Communications Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista Communications Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common Communications usage. Communications Suite gives a separate PCMark Communications Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

Productivity Suite: The tests in the Productivity Suite have been selected to represent the Windows Vista Productivity Consumer Scenario. The combination of test sets covers the common Productivity usage. Productivity Suite gives a separate PCMark Productivity Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

HDD Suite: The tests in the HDD Suite are a combination of tests covering the common HDD usage. HDD Suite gives a separate PCMark HDD Score which does not affect the overall PCMark Score.

     Each suite runs four tests, except for the HDD suite which has 8.  The PCMark Suite uses two tests from each of the first six suites combined with several of its own tests, especially in regards to HDD testing.  We will go through all the suites and talk about them in greater detail.