If you want to measure your computer’s power for 3D work, learning how to run Blender Benchmark is the best place to start. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from download to interpreting your results, so you can see exactly how your hardware performs.
Blender Benchmark is the official performance testing tool from the Blender Foundation. It uses the same engine as the real Blender software to render standardized scenes. This gives you a reliable score you can compare with other systems worldwide. Whether you’re building a new PC, overclocking, or just curious, this tool provides clear answers.
How To Run Blender Benchmark
Let’s get straight into the steps. The process is straightforward, but following it correctly ensures accurate results.
Step 1: Downloading the Benchmark Tool
First, you need to get the software. Head to the official Blender Benchmark website. It’s important to download it from this official source to ensure you have the correct, virus-free version.
You’ll see two main options:
- Blender Benchmark: This is the standalone application. It’s separate from the main Blender software and is designed only for testing.
- Blender (with benchmark scenes): This is the full Blender application with the benchmark scenes included. It’s better to use the standalone benchmark app for simplicity.
Choose the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). The download is a compressed file, usually a .zip or .dmg.
Step 2: Installation and Setup
There’s no traditional installer. For Windows, simply extract the downloaded .zip file to a folder of your choice, like “Documents” or directly on your desktop. On a Mac, open the .dmg file and drag the application to your Applications folder.
Because it’s not installed via an installer, you can run it from anywhere. This also means you can have multiple versions for testing different Blender releases. Just make sure your system meets the basic requirements, which are similar to Blender itself.
Before You Run: Quick System Check
- Close all other heavy applications (games, video editors, web browsers with many tabs).
- Connect your laptop to power. Running on battery can limit performance.
- If you have a dedicated GPU, ensure you have the latest drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
Step 3: Configuring Your Test Parameters
Open the Blender Benchmark application. You’ll see a clean interface. Here’s what you need to configure:
- Device: This is the most critical setting. You can choose between CPU, GPU, or “All” to test both. If you have both integrated and dedicated graphics, they will appear separately. For most users testing a gaming or workstation PC, select your powerful dedicated GPU (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070).
- Benchmark Data: The tool will automatically download the necessary scene files on its first run. These are the three core scenes: Monster, Junkshop, and Classroom. They test different aspects of rendering.
- Submission Preferences: You can choose to submit your results to the public Open Data benchmark database. This is optional but helps the community. It submits an anonymous score linked to your hardware.
Step 4: Executing the Benchmark Run
Once configured, starting the test is simple. Click the “Run Benchmark” button. The application will then work through the three scenes one by one.
You’ll see a live preview of the rendering, a progress bar, and an estimated time remaining. A full run can take anywhere from a few minutes on very high-end hardware to over an hour on older systems. Just let it run without using your computer for other tasks.
The benchmark uses the Cycles render engine. It tests both the traditional path-traced rendering and the newer, faster OptiX (for NVIDIA) or HIP (for AMD) backends if your hardware supports it. It does this automatically, so you don’t need to worry about it.
Step 5: Understanding Your Results
After the run finishes, the results window will appear. This is where you see how your system performed. The key metric is samples per minute.
A higher samples-per-minute score means faster rendering. You’ll get a score for each scene and a final, overall score which is the geometric mean of the three. Here’s what to look at:
- Overall Score: Your main number for comparison.
- Individual Scene Scores: See if your system is stronger in one type of scene (e.g., Monster is GPU-heavy).
- Hardware Details: The result confirms the CPU and GPU that were used for the test.
You can view a detailed log and even export your results as a JSON file for your own records. If you opted in for submission, your score is now on the Open Data website.
Step 6: Comparing Your Scores Online
The real power of Blender Benchmark comes from comparison. Go to the Blender Benchmark Open Data website. You can use the interactive charts to filter by hardware components.
For example, you can filter to see all scores for your specific CPU or GPU model. This lets you answer questions like:
- Is my score average for my hardware?
- How much does a better CPU improve my GPU’s performance?
- What performance jump could I expect from an upgrade?
It’s a fantastic resource for making informed purchasing decisions. You can also see how overclocking or driver updates effect scores across many users.
Advanced Testing Scenarios
Once you’ve mastered the basic run, you might want to use the benchmark for more specific goals.
Testing System Stability (Overclocking & Cooling)
Blender Benchmark is an excellent stress test for stability. If you’ve overclocked your CPU or GPU, a successful benchmark run is a good sign of stability. If the system crashes, freezes, or shows visual artifacts during the render, your overclock is likely not stable.
It also pushes your cooling system to its limits. Monitor your temperatures during a run with tools like HWMonitor or GPU-Z. Sustained high temperatures might indicate a need for better cooling solutions in your case.
Comparing Different Hardware Configurations
If you have multiple GPUs or are testing a new piece of hardware, run the benchmark before and after the change. This gives you a quantifiable measure of the performance difference.
For example, you can test:
- GPU performance with PCIe 3.0 vs. PCIe 4.0.
- Performance gain from adding more system RAM.
- Difference between rendering on the CPU vs. the GPU.
Make sure to keep other variables, like driver versions, the same for a fair comparison between your two tests.
Using the Command Line Interface (CLI)
For power users, Blender Benchmark offers a command line interface. This is useful for automated testing, scripting, or running on headless servers (without a graphical interface).
You can specify the device, number of cycles, and output location directly in the command. The documentation on the Blender Benchmark website provides the full list of commands and there syntax. This is a more advanced feature, but it offers great control.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are common problems and their fixes.
Benchmark Fails to Start or Crashes
- Update Your Graphics Drivers: This is the most common fix. Get the latest from your manufacturer’s website.
- Run as Administrator (Windows): Right-click the executable and select “Run as administrator.” This can help with permission issues.
- Disable Overclocks: If you have any overclocks applied, revert to stock settings to see if stability improves.
Unexpectedly Low Scores
- Check the Active Device: Did you accidentally run the test on your weak integrated GPU instead of your powerful dedicated one? Double-check the result details.
- Background Processes: Ensure no other software is using the GPU (like a cryptocurrency miner or another render).
- Power & Thermal Throttling: Laptops, especially, may throttle performance if they get to hot. Ensure good airflow and use a performance power plan.
Submission or Database Errors
If you have trouble submitting results or viewing the online database, check your internet connection. The submission process requires a stable connection. A firewall or security software might also be blocking the connection—temporarily disabling it for the test can confirm this.
Why Benchmarking Matters for Blender Users
You might wonder why you should bother with this. For a casual user, it might not be critical. But for anyone serious about 3D work, it’s invaluable.
It provides a baseline. When a project is rendering slowly, you can compare your current performance to your benchmark score. If it’s much lower, you know something in your scene or settings is causing the slowdown, not your hardware.
It also helps with planning. If you’re considering a new project with higher demands, your benchmark score gives you a realistic idea of the render times you might face. This can save you from committing to a deadline your hardware can’t meet.
Finally, it’s about community data. Every submitted result makes the database more valuable for everyone, helping all Blender users make smarter hardware choices. It’s a great way to contribute back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Blender Benchmark free to use?
Yes, it is completely free and open-source, just like Blender itself. There are no costs or subscriptions.
What’s the difference between Blender and Blender Benchmark?
Blender is the full 3D creation suite for modeling, animation, and rendering. Blender Benchmark is a separate, lightweight tool that only does performance testing using Blender’s rendering engine.
How often should I run a Blender performance test?
Run it when you get new hardware, update critical drivers, or change system settings (like an overclock). There’s no need to run it daily, but it’s good for establishing a performance baseline after any major system change.
Can I use Blender Benchmark to test an older version of Blender?
The standalone benchmark tool is tied to a specific Blender core version. To test an older Blender version’s performance, you would need to find and download the benchmark application that was released along side that version, which can be tricky.
My GPU isn’t being detected by the benchmark tool. What do I do?
First, confirm your GPU is supported by the version of Blender the benchmark uses. Then, update your graphics drivers to the absolute latest version. If it’s still not detected, check the system’s Device Manager to ensure the GPU is functioning correctly and hasn’t been disabled.
Are the Blender benchmark scores reliable for other 3D software?
They are most reliable for Blender and other Cycles-compatible renderers. While they give a good general indicator of 3D rendering performance, other software like Unreal Engine or Cinema 4D may use the hardware differently, so their performance could vary.
Does running the benchmark harm my computer?
No, it does not harm your computer. It pushes your hardware to its normal maximum operating load, similar to playing a demanding game or doing a long render. As long as your cooling is adequate, this is a safe and normal workload for your components.
Learning how to run Blender Benchmark effectively gives you a powerful tool for understanding your computer. It turns abstract hardware specs into real, tangible performance numbers you can use and compare. With the steps in this guide, you can confidently test your system, troubleshoot issues, and make data-driven decisions about upgrades or optimizations. The next time someone asks about your PC’s performance for 3D work, you’ll have a precise answer ready.