How to benchmark your GPU on Windows, macOS and Linux

1. Install Geekbench 6

Geekbench 6, one of the most popular benchmarking tools, is free to use and can help you test your CPU and GPU. 

Go to the Geekbench download page, then download and install the correct version for your OS. 

2. Close other apps

For accurate results during testing, ensure you close all unwanted apps and background processes. Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to bring up the Task Manager, select apps and background processes you want to close, then click End task at the top. But don’t end important background processes that your computer needs to function.  

3. Run Geekbench 6

Launch the Geekbench 6 app and under GPU Benchmark, you’ll find GPU API and GPU. 

GPU API lets you choose between OpenCL, Vulkan, and Metal, but the options displayed depend on the GPU you’re using. Metal is the API of choice for Apple devices, while non-Apple devices use OpenCL and Vulkan. 

Select OpenCL to evaluate parallel computing and general-purpose computing tasks, including machine learning and cryptocurrency mining.

Choose Vulkan to benchmark graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and 3D rendering. 

Click the drop-down next to GPU to pick the GPU you want to benchmark. Next, click Run GPU Benchmark. 

4. Compare scores

Once finished, the tool will open a webpage with a score for your GPU, which you’ll want to jot down. Now, scroll down the page to see a breakdown of the scores across aspects like edge detection, stereo matching, and particle physics. 

You’ll then want to compare your total score against the results on the relevant Benchmark Charts: OpenCL Benchmarks, Vulkan Benchmarks, and Metal Benchmarks. Once on the right chart, input your GPU model to find its score on the chart. 

Slight score differences between your test score and the Benchmark Chart score are normal, but if the score deviation is over a few thousand points, it may be a sign that something is limiting your GPU’s performance. 

Also, note that the test scores will come out higher if your computer’s high-performance mode is active and it’s plugged in. In my testing, there was nearly a 10,000-point difference between the high-performance mode + plugged-in vs the normal-performance mode + on battery.