The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) has announced the release of SPECviewperf 15.0.1, a significant update to the industry-standard benchmark for professional graphics. This update introduces a new “snap-in” workload capability, allowing the benchmark to integrate new workloads without invalidating historical data. The new snx-05 workload is based on Siemens NX 2406, a high-end CAD/CAM/CAE solution, and targets the OpenGL graphics API. This workload is designed to measure the performance of graphics hardware running Siemens NX 2406, stressing computationally intensive features such as vertex and pixel shaders, high-resolution textures, and multisampled anti-aliasing.
The SPECviewperf benchmark is crucial in the world of professional visualization, where hardware and human investments are substantial. It provides an objective measure of 3D graphics performance, enabling IT decision-makers to select hardware that delivers superior viewport performance for specific workflows. The benchmark utilizes actual recordings of graphics command streams from leading professional applications, making it a valuable tool for the industry.
The snap-in architecture is a significant development, allowing SPEC to release new workloads as add-on modules without requiring a full version update. This modular design enables the addition of new workloads without invalidating existing benchmark data, providing industry partners and workstation users with the agility to make rapid, future-proof hardware investments.
The release of SPECviewperf 15.0.1 is a notable step forward in modernizing performance measurement. The new snx-05 workload represents the first snap-in workload enabled by SPECviewperf 15’s modern architecture, and it is already being used by several organizations. The SPEC Graphics and Workstation Performance Group (GWPG) is encouraging participation from the community, inviting individuals and organizations to propose new workloads and be part of the development process.
The update is available for immediate download under a two-tiered pricing model, remaining free for the general user community and costing $2,500 for sellers of computer-related products and services. SPEC/GWPG members continue to receive benchmark licenses as a benefit of membership, ensuring that key industry players remain deeply integrated into the benchmark’s development process.
Overall, the release of SPECviewperf 15.0.1 is a significant development in the world of professional graphics, providing a more comprehensive and agile benchmarking solution for the industry. The new snap-in architecture and the addition of the snx-05 workload demonstrate SPEC’s commitment to modernizing performance measurement and providing valuable tools for the professional visualization community.