Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe best game benchmarks are repeatable and reflect the kind of gaming you care about. A built-in benchmark is usually the easiest way to compare runs; where a game lacks one, use the same gameplay route and settings each time. No single game can stand in for every workload, so a useful PC test suite combines different genres and keeps its conditions consistent.
Ten games to consider for a PC benchmark suite
This is a practical shortlist, not a definitive ranking. It draws on games named in Tom’s Guide’s lab methodology and titles GamingScan identifies as having benchmark tools. Those sources support different parts of the list; they do not establish that every game has a current, working benchmark on every platform. Check the installed version and platform before relying on a mode or menu path.
| Game | Benchmark approach | What it can help you assess |
|---|---|---|
| Far Cry 6 | GamingScan reports an in-game route at System > Options > Benchmark. Confirm the route in your installed version. | A repeatable game benchmark; useful as one workload among several. |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | GamingScan describes a built-in benchmark with varied camera and environment types. Confirm current menu behavior. | A sequence of different visual scenes rather than a single static view. |
| Forza Horizon 5 | GamingScan reports Main menu > Options > Graphics > Start Benchmark Mode. Confirm the route in your installed version. | A benchmark from a racing game, adding a different workload to the suite. |
| Rainbow Six Extraction | GamingScan reports Main Menu > Options > Video > Benchmark. Confirm availability and current menu details. | A repeatable test from a shooter, though its result should not be treated as a universal measure of competitive play. |
| Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | GamingScan says the built-in test runs for one minute and reports minimum, average, and maximum FPS plus VRAM. These are secondary-source details; verify them in the current version. | A cinematic game workload, with several reported FPS values if the current mode exposes them. |
| Civilization VI: Gathering Storm | Tom’s Guide reports using the built-in Gathering Storm Graphics benchmark at medium settings for productivity-laptop testing. | A lighter strategy-game workload; it complements demanding visual tests but is not a high-end stress test by itself. |
| Borderlands 3 | Tom’s Guide names it among tested titles, and GamingScan discusses its adjustable graphics presets. The reviewed material does not confirm a current benchmark mode. | A candidate for testing at a consistent preset; confirm whether your edition offers a repeatable benchmark. |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Tom’s Guide names it among titles sometimes tested on integrated graphics. The reviewed material does not establish a built-in benchmark mode. | A demanding open-world candidate if you can repeat the same scene or route consistently. |
| Assassin’s Creed Shadows | Tom’s Guide names it as a title it may test on systems with integrated GPUs. The reviewed material does not establish a built-in benchmark mode. | A candidate for checking performance in a game you intend to play; use a consistent route if no benchmark mode is available. |
| Total War: Warhammer II | Tom’s Guide names it among games used to push integrated GPUs further. The reviewed material does not establish a built-in benchmark mode. | A strategy-game workload that adds variety to a suite, provided you can repeat the test scenario. |
The five entries with reported benchmark modes have details drawn from GamingScan, a 2025 secondary list; menu labels and behavior can change. For the other titles, the cited material supports their use in testing but does not verify a built-in benchmark. Do not assume a feature exists just because a game appears on this list.
Choose games that match the question you want to answer
A PC can perform differently across games because scenes, levels, modes, and player actions place different demands on it. UL Benchmarks says it uses a built-in benchmark when available, or a live gameplay scenario otherwise, and notes that frame rates can vary by level or mode. Its live scenarios are selected to be common, reasonably demanding, and repeatable; its minimum live-gameplay test duration is three minutes. That is UL’s testing procedure, not a required duration for every home test.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
- For broad graphics comparisons: use a repeatable built-in test from a visually varied game, such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, if the mode is available in your version.
- For lighter systems or integrated graphics: include a lighter workload such as Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, and add more demanding titles to see how performance changes as the load rises.
- For genre-specific expectations: include a game similar to what you actually play. Intel’s guidance says competitive shooters often prioritize stable FPS and low input lag, while slower storytelling games may place more weight on visual fidelity.
- For testing without a built-in mode: choose a recognizable route or scene, repeat it in the same way, and avoid multiplayer runs where other players’ actions can add variation.
A game benchmark measures that game’s implementation and test scene, not a universal PC score. Even results from two built-in tests may not be directly comparable if they use different scenes, durations, or reported metrics.
Keep test conditions consistent
For a useful comparison between systems or before-and-after changes to one PC, hold the test conditions steady. UL’s methodology uses 1920 × 1080, 2560 × 1440, and 3840 × 2160, with medium and ultra settings, and reports ray tracing separately where available. Those are UL’s chosen test points, not a universal requirement; select the resolutions and settings relevant to your display and goals.
Rank #2
- NVIDIA Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors: The all-new Ampere SM brings 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency.
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
- Record the game version and graphics driver.
- Use the same resolution and graphics preset for each comparison.
- Record whether ray tracing is on or off; keep those results separate.
- Also record upscaling and frame-generation settings when available.
- Use the same built-in benchmark or repeat the same gameplay route and actions.
- Capture the metric the game actually reports, such as average FPS or minimum, average, and maximum FPS. If available, frame-time behavior can add context, particularly when judging smoothness.
These recording fields are practical guidance for keeping comparisons interpretable, not a universal reporting standard. If you change several settings at once, the result may show that performance changed without revealing which change caused it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Read game results as a set, not a single verdict
Look for patterns across the games and conditions you tested. If a result changes sharply with resolution, that tells you something different from a result that changes when ray tracing is enabled. Likewise, a stable result in a strategy benchmark does not establish how a competitive shooter will feel: the games stress different workloads, and FPS alone does not capture input lag or every aspect of smoothness.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
A synthetic graphics test such as 3DMark can complement game tests, but keep its score separate from a game’s own benchmark results. Tom’s Guide identifies it as a graphics-performance suite; it is not a substitute for checking how the games you play perform.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
