The latest PC benchmarking software release from Futuremark, PCMark 7, has experienced a slight delay in its previously announced release date. While a press release issued back in April said PCMark 7 would be made available to download this Tuesday, May 3, Futuremark sent over an email to the media this morning announcing that the release date for the software had been pushed back "due to last minute findings in QA." Futuremark is now predicting that PCMark 7 will be released either late this week or early next week. It will let the media know the final release date 48 hours before its expected launch.
PCMark 7 is just the latest PC benchmarking software release from Futuremark, who is perhaps best known for its gaming oriented product 3DMark. It is also the home to Futuremark Games Studio which released the PC exclusive zero-g themed sci-fi first person shooter Shattered Horizon back in 2009.
PCMark 7 is designed specifically to run performance benchmarks on PCs with Microsoft"s Windows 7 OS installed. When it is finally released it will offer users seven performance tests. Some of the tests will cover entertainment, creativity and productivity performance while the computation and storage tests will check a PC"s components. Overall system performance will be handled by the main PCMark test and there will also be a "lightweight" test that"s designed to measure the performance of entry level PCs along with mobile products that used a version of Windows 7.
When it does come out, users can download a free version of PCMark 7 which will allow them to access the PCMark test and show one result online. The advanced version will cost $39.95 and will offer access to all seven performance tests, unlimited online results storage and other features. The Professional Edition costs $995 and offers "priority support" along with the ability to hide your benchmark results from being seen online and command line automation. More info on PCMark 7, along with access to pre-ordering the Advanced and Professional editions, can be found at the Futuremark web site.