HandBrake Video Transcoding

Website: HandBrake

We perform a simple encoding test using the freely available HandBrake software, which converts a 60-second, 400MB, 4K, MKV video sample to a high quality, 1080p, MP4 file using the available presets. Our results show strong scaling with increasing threads, which is indicative of high-performance video editing suites, albeit without any GPU acceleration.

PCMark 10 Photo Editing

Website: Futuremark

This workload involves making a series of adjustments to a set of RAW and JPG photographs using ImageMagik - an open-source image processing library - to apply a range of filters with a live preview. The images are then saved in JPG and PNG formats.

Cinebench R15

Website: www.maxon.net

Cinebench uses Maxon's Cinema 4D engine to render a photo-realistic scene of some shiny balls and weird things (we miss the motorbike). The scene is highly complex, with reflections, ambient occlusion, and procedural shaders, so it gives a CPU a tough workout.

As Cinema 4D is a real-world application - used on films such as Spider-Man and Star Wars - Cinebench can be viewed as a real-world benchmark.