SPECviewperf 15 adds support for Vulkan and DirectX 12, with new workloads to test modern GPUs in pro app environments.
The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) has announced the release of SPECviewperf 15, a significant update to the industry-standard benchmark for measuring graphics performance in professional application environments. This latest version introduces support for the newest graphics APIs, including DirectX 12 and Vulkan, and features workloads that reflect emerging industry use cases. With these enhancements, SPECviewperf 15 enables users to accurately assess how the latest versions of their preferred applications will perform on current-generation hardware.
Comprehensive Graphics Performance Measurement
SPECviewperf has long been recognized as the global standard for evaluating 3D graphics performance across various professional applications. The benchmark leverages the OpenGL, DirectX, and Vulkan APIs to simulate real-world workloads, providing a reliable and consistent method for comparing system and GPU performance. Unlike some benchmarks, SPECviewperf does not require users to hold licenses for the applications it represents, making it accessible for a wide range of users, from IT professionals to hardware vendors.
The benchmark’s straightforward installation and execution process, combined with its diverse set of modern workloads, ensures that users can quickly obtain high-quality, repeatable results. This makes SPECviewperf an essential tool for organizations seeking to validate hardware performance or estimate the impact of new GPUs and system platforms on their workflows.
SPECviewperf continues as a cornerstone of our performance evaluation methodology. We consistently use this benchmark to verify the graphics capabilities of the systems and components we review, comparing measured results against manufacturer specifications. This approach validates our testing process and ensures that our readers receive accurate, actionable insights when making purchasing decisions.
Expanded Workloads and Application Coverage
SPECviewperf 15 introduces several new workloads that reflect significant content creation and visualization trends.
The new blender-01 workload utilizes OpenGL to highlight blender 3.6 LTS’s performance in content creation scenarios. This addition addresses the growing adoption of Blender in professional 3D modeling and animation pipelines.
The unreal_engine-01 workload, built on DirectX 12, showcases content creation use cases that depend on Epic’s Unreal Engine 5.4. It incorporates advanced rendering technologies such as Lumen, Nanite, and Temporal Super Resolution, providing a comprehensive system performance assessment in demanding real-time environments.
The Enscape-01 workload utilizes Vulkan to measure GPU-accelerated ray tracing as implemented in Chaos Enscape 4.0, a leading application for architectural visualization. This reflects the increasing importance of real-time ray tracing in design and engineering workflows.
In addition to these new workloads, SPECviewperf 15 updates several existing tests to align with the latest versions of widely used professional applications, including:
- 3dsmax-08 now incorporates traces from Autodesk 3ds Max 2023, including real-world production data from KitBash3D’s Mission to Minerva model and materials kit. This ensures the benchmark remains relevant for game developers and filmmakers.
- catia-07 has been updated with traces from Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA 2022x, while retaining traces from CATIA v5 to support a broad user base.
- creo-04 reflects the capabilities of PTC Creo 9, providing up-to-date performance insights for engineering and design professionals.
- maya-07 now includes traces from Autodesk Maya 2025, along with two new models, “Apollo” and “Sol and Solette,” to represent contemporary animation and VFX workloads better.
- solidworks-08 has been refreshed with traces from Dassault Systèmes Solidworks 2024, ensuring continued relevance for mechanical design and engineering applications.
Beyond new and updated workloads, SPECviewperf 15 delivers significant usability improvements. The benchmark features a completely redesigned graphical user interface (GUI), streamlining the installation and configuration process. These enhancements make it easier for new and experienced users to deploy the benchmark and interpret results, further solidifying SPECviewperf’s position as the go-to tool for graphics performance evaluation.
Availability and Licensing
SPECviewperf 15 is available for immediate download from SPEC’s website. The benchmark is offered under a two-tiered pricing structure: it is free for the user community, while sellers of computer-related products and services can obtain a license for $2,500. SPEC Graphics and Workstation Performance Group (GWPG) members receive benchmark licenses as part of their membership benefits.
For more information or to download SPECviewperf 15, visit the official SPECviewperf page.
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