
Understanding Hardware Benchmarking
Benchmarking your computer’s hardware is a crucial step for evaluating the performance of various components. By comparing your equipment against similar models, you can gain insights into its capabilities and limitations.
Reliable Benchmarking Tools
While there are numerous tools available, lightweight options like PassMark offer a straightforward way to quickly assess system performance. Though PassMark may not be as cutting-edge as 3DMark or Procyon, it serves as a useful introductory benchmarking tool.
Caution with UserBenchmark
Users should exercise caution and avoid UserBenchmark. Despite its user-friendly interface, it has demonstrated a notable bias against AMD hardware, leading to potentially misleading performance evaluations, particularly for non-Intel and non-Nvidia components.
Exploring CrystalMark Retro
Instead, consider CrystalMark Retro, developed by Crystal Dew World, the team behind the popular CrystalDiskMark. The latest version of this application has expanded support across various Windows operating systems, including Windows 10/11 and even legacy versions such as Windows 95 and 98.
Latest Updates and Features
The application has received a significant update, which includes the following features:
This is a comprehensive benchmark software that runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT 3.51 or later. It supports x86, 64-bit (x64/ARM64), many-core systems, and offers multiple language options (over 48 languages).It can measure CPU, disk, 2D, and 3D performance with just a single click.
While CrystalMark Retro may not be the go-to tool for evaluating hardware performance in modern applications, it does provide useful insights. For instance, it employs OpenGL to evaluate GPU performance for 3D applications.
Tailored for Legacy Systems
This tool is particularly beneficial for users with older systems, filling a niche that many current benchmarking tools overlook. It allows users to understand the capabilities of their legacy systems without the constraints that are often found in more modern software.
Personal Experience with CrystalMark Retro
In my personal testing with a setup featuring an AMD Ryzen 5700G and a Radeon RX 6800 XT, I noticed that the utility does not assess memory performance. Consequently, my 32GB Gskill DDR4-3600 CL16 kit did not get evaluated.

Compatibility Enhancements
The recent update has also resolved a compatibility issue with the FM (Fujitsu Micro) TOWNS, a retro PC originally released in 1989:
It has been discovered that CrystalMark Retro 2.0.0 does not work properly on FM TOWNS + Windows 9x.
– CrystalMark Retro 2.0.1 released! https://crystalmark.info – Fixed a bug that did not work with FM TOWNS
Accessing CrystalMark Retro
For users interested in trying out CrystalMark Retro, the software can be downloaded from its official website, where it is hosted on SourceForge.
For more updates and information, follow the source: @openlibsys (X)
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