It's become somewhat a way of life for the computer community really, a form of companion that has over the years neatly integrated itself as part of the IT industry and increasingly so within the lifestyles of PC enthusiasts. The 3DMark series by Futuremark has evolved just as PC hardware from the early days of DirectX 6 to the latest eye candy galore DirectX 9C. Despite increasing years flowing by since the first 3DMark back in 1999 - 3DMark99 - the principle has very much remained static, to test and verify system 3D game performance. Such approach to benchmarking one's system has met with criticism calling upon the 3DMark series as synthetic or otherwise not representative of performance within released games. While this theory may draw arguments at both ends, it is perhaps without any dispute that we may all agree on the following. 3DMark is a tool that aids to gauge game performance of one's system and thus help identify how well it might perform in modern and upcoming games. Today marks the launch of Futuremark's 3DMark06, which refreshes this endeavour and yet again throws in a new spin on things.

Eye candy galore

All those for whom 3DMark is no stranger will know one key aspect that each consecutive release attempts to deliver, is increasingly jaw dropping (and dislocation pains that go with it) eye candy. Although few will admit, the phrase OMG has been much expressed amid the lives of many be it in lesser or greater form. While some quite happily tame their excitement with "Wow", "Awesome", "Cool", others do the Full Monty pain laden OMG, dislocate their jaw and regret the whole event. Oh well one might comment, eye candy can have its disadvantages but that doesn't stop it from being an eye grabber. How well in that case does 3DMark06 grab one's eyeball so to speak? This is a matter of personal taste and willingness to tell the truth (oh don't we love changing our moods often) however it may be considered darn right pretty. Granted those familiar with 3DMark05 will see many similarities, it's been given a new gloss of paint and touched up to look rather splendid. The proof is in the details, indeed it's only once both 3Dmark05 and 3DMark06 have been run for comparison does one truly appreciate how the latter looks much more natural, especially thanks to HDR (High Definition Range) in how the environments are lit. Below are some comparison shots to whet one's appetite.

Click images to enlarge.