CPU-Z, developed by CPUID, is a hardware information tool that also features a built-in benchmark. While the benchmark is not its primary function, it has gained attention and is worth investigating. The author plans to evaluate CPU-Z’s benchmark on various CPUs and use performance counters to assess its impact on different CPU architectures. The benchmark primarily involves FP32 math tests using SSE instructions, with a focus on single-threaded performance. The author analyzes the instruction mix, performance overview, backend, frontend, branch prediction, and branch footprint in detail. The author concludes by suggesting that CPU-Z’s benchmark may not accurately represent real-life workloads and recommends revising it accordingly.
https://chipsandcheese.com/2023/11/03/cpu-zs-inadequate-benchmark/