SPEC/GPC Issues 5,000 Free Benchmark CDs

SPEC’s Graphics Performance Characterization (GPC) Group is distributing 5,000 free CDs containing the latest versions of its performance evaluation benchmarks. Approximately 4,000 were distributed from members’ booths at SIGGRAPH ’99; the remaining are available through SPEC/GPC headquarters or the GPC News web site for $20 to cover shipping and handling.

Source code and executables are included in the CD for the following benchmarks:

• SPECviewperf 6.1.1 – the worldwide industry standard for measuring the 3D rendering performance of systems running under the OpenGL application programming interface (API); includes the Advanced Visualizer (AWadvs-03), DesignReview (DRV-06), Data Explorer (DX-05), Lightscape (Light-03) and ProCDRS-02 viewsets for testing performance based on graphics functions within specific applications.
• SPECglperf 3.1.2 – a benchmark designed to measure optimal performance of 2D and 3D OpenGL graphics primitives across vendor platforms.
• SPECapc for Pro/ENGINEER Rev. 20 – measures graphics and CPU performance based on common user interaction with a large (370,000 triangles) Pro/ENGINEER model.
• SPECapc for SolidWorks 98Plus – measures performance of I/O, CPU and graphics operations based on common user interaction with typical SolidWorks 98Plus models.

The CD also includes background information on SPEC/GPC project groups (SPECapc, SPECmedia and SPECopc) and benchmarks, benchmark run and reporting rules, and links to current performance results and other content in the SPEC/GPC web site.

The SPEC/GPC benchmark CD can be ordered through this web site or through SPEC headquarters for $20 to cover shipping and handling: 10754 Ambassador Drive, Ste. 201, Manassas, VA 20109; tel: 703-331-0180; fax: 703-331-0181; e-mail: gpcinfo@spec.org. SPEC/GPC is part of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. (SPEC), a non-profit corporation formed to establish, maintain and endorse a standardized set of relevant benchmarks that can be applied to the newest generation of high-performance computers. SPEC’s membership includes computer hardware and software vendors, and leading universities and research facilities worldwide.