Significant Upgrades and Improvements

3DMark06 raises the bar for DirectX performance analysis with new and improved graphics tests relying on more complex shaders, all new CPU tests with demanding physics and AI that support single or multiple core and multiple processor systems. New sub-scores for graphics tests and CPU tests can be compared individually or accumulated for a total system score of both GFX and CPU performance. 3DMark even includes a fully playable mini-game with ORB loadable scores, based on the CPU tests.

3DMark Version Comparison Chart

	3DMark05	3DMark06
ShaderModel	2.0	2.0 and 3.0
HDR Rendering	No	Yes
Dynamic Shadows	2 LiSPSM	5 Uniform Shadow Maps
Smooth shadows	Yes (4 sample)	Yes (16 sample & 4 sample)
Graphics Tests	3 (All SM2.0)	4 (Two SM2.0 + Two HDR/SM3.0)
CPU Tests	2 (Software vertex shaders)	2 (Complex AI and Physics)
SM3.0 Feature Tests	No	Yes
Total number of tests	16	19
Level of Detail	High	Very High
Textue Size	High	Very High
Materials	Simple	Complex
Shader Complexity	High (Max 96 instructions)	Very High (Max 512 instructions)
Amount of lights	High	Very High
Sub Scores	1 (CPU Score)	3 (SM2.0, HDR/SM3.0 and CPU Score)
VRAM Usage	~128MB	~256MB
Playable Game	No	Yes
Target GPU	2nd Generation SM2.0 or better	2nd Generation SM3.0 or better
Target CPU	Single Core	Dual/Multi Core & Single Core

3DMark06 comparison screenshots