CPU Benchmark Guide

A computer’s CPU (central processing unit) has an essential role in its performance levels. Think of it as the ‘brain’ of your laptop, which has to process the commands from all the programs running on your machine.

Depending on what applications or games you run on your device, you’ll need a CPU that’s powerful enough to handle these tasks efficiently. To compare the performance of various CPUs and choose the hardware that best fits your requirements, you can use CPU benchmarks.

What is a CPU benchmark and how can it help you?

A CPU benchmark is used to determine the performance of a specific CPU through a series of standardised tests and then compare it with other alternatives available on the market.

There are two main categories of CPU benchmarking tests:

• Synthetic Benchmarks use simulations to measure CPU performance and provide you with a quick, overall view of a CPU’s strengths.
• Real-world Benchmarks use real applications such as Blender, 7-Zip and Handbrake to measure the time required for a system to perform intensive tasks (rendering, file compression, and video encoding).

Together, the results of these benchmarking tests help you gain a comprehensive understanding of a CPU’s capabilities wherever you want to buy a new laptop/ desktop PC or you plan to upgrade your current hardware.

What benchmarking stats are the most important when choosing a CPU?

Among some of the most commonly used KPIs for CPU benchmarks are clock speed and core count.

• The clock speed or clock rate represents the number of cycles a CPU can execute every second. The latest CPUs perform billions of cycles per second, meaning that the clock rate is measured in gigahertz (GHz).
• The core count shows the number of cores within a CPU that enable the system to multitask and handle heavier workloads faster.

As a general rule, CPUs with a high clock speed and multiple cores will ensure that your laptop can successfully undertake demanding workloads.

What is a good CPU benchmark score?

When it comes to CPU benchmarks, numerous elements can affect the results of a test, including the testing software itself, RAM capacity, hard drive speed, and the KPIs used to measure performance.

So we recommend you use CPU benchmarks scores more as a guideline for choosing the most powerful device within your budget that will support your workflow for years to come without needing to upgrade.

At Powerlaptop, we use PassMark, a leading CPU benchmarking tool, to assess our products’ overall performance and help our customers find the best device that fits their needs.

Our range of products includes machines in the high-end category featuring scores ranging from under 10k (premium laptops for everyday use) up to over 20k (high-performance machines for gaming sessions).

What you must keep in mind is that, in some cases, the CPU performance score might come second. If you’re looking for a high-quality gaming laptop or one that can run advanced graphic design software, we recommend you opt for the device that has the best graphics card you can afford.