RealBench for Gamers and Creators: Best Settings and Workflows

RealBench Tips — How to Get Accurate, Repeatable ResultsAccurate, repeatable benchmarking is essential when evaluating hardware changes, comparing systems, or verifying performance improvements. RealBench is a popular real-world benchmark suite that stresses CPU, GPU, memory, and storage using common workloads (image editing, encoding, OpenCL, and multitasking). Because RealBench aims to reflect everyday tasks rather than synthetic loads, small environmental differences can change results noticeably. This guide covers practical tips and procedures to reduce noise, avoid common pitfalls, and produce trustworthy, reproducible RealBench scores.

1) Understand what RealBench measures

RealBench combines several workloads into a single score:

• Image Editing — measures CPU and memory performance with large image operations.
• Encoding — tests CPU performance for video transcoding-like tasks.
• OpenCL — stresses the GPU (and any OpenCL-capable accelerators).
• Heavy Multitasking — runs several tasks concurrently to simulate real-world multitasking.

Each component contributes to the composite score, so changes to one subsystem (e.g., GPU driver) can alter the final number. Treat the composite score and the individual test scores separately when diagnosing performance changes.

2) Prepare a controlled test environment

Reproducibility starts with control. Before running RealBench:

• Use a clean boot: close background apps and services that can introduce variability (web browsers, messaging apps, update services). On Windows, a “clean boot” or using a new user profile minimizes background interference.
• Disable power-saving features: set the power plan to High performance (or equivalent) to prevent CPU throttling and aggressive frequency scaling.
• Fix CPU frequency behavior: on desktop CPUs, set the OS and BIOS to use default or fixed performance states if testing for repeatability. For example, disable aggressive C-states and Turbo/Boost if you need strictly steady-state behavior; if comparing real-world, leave Turbo enabled but be consistent across runs.
• Set GPU clocks consistent: if you use overclocking utilities (MSI Afterburner, vendor control panels), either reset to stock settings or document and keep the same settings for every run.
• Ensure thermal stability: run a brief warm-up workload (5–10 minutes of CPU or GPU load) before the measured run so temperatures and frequencies have stabilized.
• Disable automatic updates and scheduled tasks temporarily (Windows Update, antivirus scans).
• Use the same driver versions (GPU, chipset) across comparisons; record driver versions.

3) Hardware and cooling considerations

• Keep ambient temperature consistent: room temperature affects cooling efficiency. Aim for the same ambient temp across test sessions; note it in logs.
• Ensure proper case airflow: remove dust, confirm fans are operating at the same profiles, and avoid moving the case or altering fan curves between runs.
• For laptops, run benchmarks on a hard, flat surface and with the same power adapter and battery state (or test with battery removed if supported).
• Consider using an external temperature probe to monitor CPU/GPU die or VRM temps if you suspect throttling affects results.

4) Software setup & configuration

• Use the same OS build and system updates: system libraries and kernel changes can affect performance. When comparing machines, keep OS versions consistent.
• Use a stable RealBench version: always note the RealBench build and update only between comparison sets, not mid-series.
• Run with the same system locale and user profile settings — some file-handling or path behaviors can vary.
• Disable any frame rate limiters or overlays (e.g., Steam, GeForce Experience, Discord) that might hook into GPU workloads.
• If measuring OpenCL performance, ensure the correct device is selected in RealBench settings and that no other apps are using the GPU.

5) Run methodology: repetitions and averaging

• Do multiple runs: at least 3–5 runs is common; for more rigorous results use 10+ runs. More runs reduce statistical noise.
• Discard outliers: if one run is clearly anomalous (e.g., due to background task kicking in), discard it but document why.
• Use median and mean: report both median (resistant to outliers) and mean (sensitive to all values) of your runs. Also report standard deviation for transparency.
• Keep identical cooldown periods between runs: allow the system to return to baseline temperature to avoid cumulative thermal throttling when runs are sequential.
• Automate runs when possible: scripting the benchmark launches and log collection removes human-start-time variance.

6) Logging and data collection

• Record system state: CPU model, motherboard, RAM (speed/timings), GPU model, storage, PSU, BIOS version, and driver versions.
• Record environmental variables: ambient temp, case fan curves, and whether the system was open/closed.
• Save RealBench logs/screenshots for each run; save Windows Event logs if a problematic event occurs during testing.
• Keep an organized spreadsheet tracking run number, time, result, and notes (e.g., “run 4 — background update triggered”).

7) Interpret results carefully

• Look at component scores: if the OpenCL score shifts but encoding and image editing stay the same, investigate GPU drivers or GPU thermal state rather than CPU changes.
• Expect variance: even with careful control, small percentage variance (often 1–5%) is normal. Larger changes usually indicate real differences.
• Understand scaling behavior: some workloads scale better with cores, others with single-thread speed. Match your interpretation with the composition of the RealBench subtests.

8) Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Inconsistent CPU frequency behavior: ensure power plan and BIOS settings are fixed or documented.
• Background processes: use resource monitors (Task Manager, Process Explorer) to spot unexpected activity.
• Thermal throttling between runs: allow adequate cooldown and/or reduce ambient temperature.
• Driver auto-updates: disable auto-update features for GPU drivers during testing to avoid mid-series changes.
• Over-reliance on a single composite score: always cross-check subtest scores to pinpoint causes.

9) Advanced techniques for power users

• Use process affinity and priority sparingly: RealBench is designed to represent real workloads; changing affinity can distort results unless your goal is a controlled experiment.
• Isolate CPU cores: for microbenchmarks you can pin background processes away from tested cores to reduce interrupt-related noise.
• Use validated power supplies and stable overclocks: unstable power delivery introduces variance; if overclocking, test stability thoroughly before benchmarking.
• Virtual machine testing: if comparing VM performance, allocate fixed vCPUs, pin them to host cores, and disable dynamic memory ballooning.

10) Reporting results

• Provide full disclosure: list hardware, drivers, OS build, RealBench version, run count, averaging method, and ambient temperature.
• Show raw numbers and statistics: include individual run scores, mean, median, and standard deviation.
• Visualize trends: use simple line charts or box plots to communicate variance and central tendency.

Quick checklist before running RealBench

• High performance power plan enabled.
• Background apps closed; auto-updates disabled.
• GPU drivers and chipset drivers fixed and recorded.
• System thermally stabilized with warm-up run.
• At least 3–5 recorded runs (10+ for publication-grade results).
• Record ambient temp and hardware details.

Following these practices will reduce noise, reveal the true impact of hardware or software changes, and make your RealBench results trustworthy and repeatable.