The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Just a Thought - Benchmarks: Not Just For Geeks Anymore

by - May 28th, 2004

So, I was thinking about doing the OS X 10.3.4 update when it occurred to me that it is entirely possible that the update could make my already slow 450mhz G4 Cube run even slower. "But how do I test such things," I asked myself. "Dude, benchmarks," was my reply, and I slapped my forehead for not having thought of it earlier.

There happens to be several benchmark tools available for OS X; I picked Haxial's Benchmark for no particular reason, and ran it, making sure that nothing else was running. I then filed away the results and did the update.

Once the update was completed I ran the benchmark tool again and compared the before and after update results. Much to my relief, there was no big difference.

Benchmark: CPU & RAM Benchmark: CPU & RAM
Version: 1.000 Version: 1.000
Date/Time: 27 May 2004, 06:33:21 PM Date/Time: 27 May 2004, 11:10:08 PM
Operating System: MacOS 10.3.3 Operating System: MacOS 10.3.4
Total Time: 96,073 millisecs (1:36) Total Time: 96,193 millisecs (1:36)
Average Speed: 175.6M bytes/second Average Speed: 175.4M bytes/second
Time Speed Time Speed
Memory Copy: 8,874 126.2M/sec Memory Copy: 9,443 118.6M/sec
Memory Fill: 9,195 522.0M/sec Memory Fill: 9,159 524.0M/sec
Memory Clear: 9,656 497.0M/sec Memory Clear: 9,573 501.4M/sec
Memory Equal: 9,676 115.7M/sec Memory Equal: 9,783 114.4M/sec
CRC: 12,371 51.7M/sec CRC: 12,274 52.1M/sec
Quick Hash: 12,371 51.7M/sec Quick Hash: 12,276 52.1M/sec
Secure Hash: 9,447 33.8M/sec Secure Hash: 9,365 34.1M/sec
Encryption: 24,483 6.5M/sec Encryption: 24,320 6.5M/sec
Haxial Benckmark before update Haxial Benckmark after 10.3.4 update

Benchmark tools are kinda interesting because they can give you an idea of how well your system is performing, which is especially useful around update time. What's even better is to compare your results with those of other benchmarkers. Haxial's Benchmark tool is pretty basic, and doesn't have much backend support (it is free after all).

There are other free benchmark tools, including SpeedRun, which I didn't try, and Xbench, which has a Web site where you can send your data and compare it to others. My Cube compared fairly well against other Cubes. I'm not endorsing Haxial's Benchmark or Xbench, but I'll use both the next time I update; I'm leaning towards Xbench because it has a more comprehensive battery of tests then Haxial's product, including graphics and AltiVec tests.

What I like about these benchmark tools is that the average Joe or Jill can run it and see something meaningful from the data, yet, those of us who get a kick out of numbers labeled 'Mops/sec' can also get our jollies.

So, benchmarking; it's fun, interesting, and useful. Give it a shot, see what you think.

is a writer who currently lives in Orlando, FL. He's been a Mac fan since Atari Computers folded, but has worked with computers of nearly every type for 20 years.

You can send your comments directly to me, or you can also post your comments below.

Most Recent Columns From Just A Thought

The Just A Thought Archives

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:jonkroupa Posts: 48 Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Subject: More than once.

It is better to run the benchmark more than once, after a fresh remote, and take the average of a few runs. random factors can influence the numbers, like maybe the operating system desided to page some memory to disk right as you ran it the first time.

Close Name:VSeward -   TMO Staff Posts: 972 Joined: 28 Jun 2001
Subject: Re:More than once

Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned that. I did, in fact, run the Haxial Benchmark 3 times. What you see is the best of the three before and after.

I didn't notice much of a change with the Haxial benchmark, but with Xbench, the first run was really slow, the 2nd was better and the 3rd and 4th were better still, but not by much.

Weird.

Vern Seward

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated February 13th

Mon, 1:50 PM
News - A Great 3-Minute Video Look at Macworld|iWorld 2012
12:41 PM
Deal Brothers - Mac mini 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5:  $699
11:51 AM
Rumor - Pegatron Forced to Drop Zenbook Due to MacBook Air Similarities
11:00 AM
Apple Stock Watch - Apple’s Stock Breaks $500 Mark For First Time
10:20 AM
News - Apple Announces Foxconn Inspections
9:34 AM
iObserver - AT&T Begins Process Toward Offering Shared Data
9:15 AM
News - Apple Files Motion to Stop Galaxy Nexus Sales in U.S.
8:20 AM
News - Steve Jobs Given Trustees Award at the Grammys
Sat, 4:11 PM
MacOS KenDensed - MacOS KenDensed: iPad 3 Frenzy, Big-time Apple & Steve Jobs, G-Man
Fri, 8:10 PM
News - Apple Sues Motorola Mobility in California Over German Case
7:54 PM
Free on iTunes - OnLive Desktop: Windows & Office on Your iPad
7:43 PM
Product News - Apple Rolls Out MacBook Air Configurations for Education

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.
  • Mac RAM Upgrades: MacBook Pro 16GB kits $475, 8GB Kits for $119.99! iMac 16GB RAM Kits (4x 4GB) for $229.99! Mac Pro Memory 32GB Kit for $399.99, 64GB Kit for $889.99! Mac Hard Drives 2TB Seagate SATA II for $249.99! Click Here!
  • Poker Mac If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Online Poker Mac. This mac poker and online casino mac site actually does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!