What are the SPECapc project groups priorities in selecting benchmarks?
A. Number one is to select benchmarks that are useful to end users who are evaluating and selecting platforms. Secondly, the applications must use graphics prominently in at least some phase of user interaction. The workload is selected to capture this phase. There are several existing application benchmarks that are called “graphics-oriented,” but whose test results do not reflect the benefits that come from improvements vendors are making in raw graphics performance. The SPECapc group focuses on benchmarks that tax the graphics subsystem, including hardware, software and the OS.
