Earlier this year, developer Futuremark released the latest version of 3DMark, its popular graphics and CPU processor benchmarking tool for Windows Vista, 7 and 8. It later released a version of 3DMark for Android devices. Today, the company announced a new version of another PC benchmark program, PCMark, will be released later this year.
PCMark 8 will be designed to run on both Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs. Unlike 3DMark, which was made to test hardware and graphics for hardcore gaming purposes, PCMark has concentrated on offering performance stats on regular PC activities such as web browsing, photo editing, video chat and other tasks.
Futuremark's press release states that PCMark 8 will add some new tests based on using applications from Microsoft and Adobe, though specific apps were not revealed. PCMark 8 will estimate battery use for each of its tests or the user can activate battery life mode to put a test in an infinite loop until the battery in a PC runs down.
PCMark 8 will be released by the end of June in a number of editions, including a basic free version for download along with paid versions that add more features. Pricing for premium versions has not been announced.
Source: Futuremark | Image via Futuremark
