Which benchmarking sites is good to use when comparing hardware?

[Wolvyreen]

So I am on the hunt now for a new rig and I am wondering what the general consensus is around here for the best online comparison websites when deciding on which hardware to buy.

Any advice on which websites I should be using that is not biased towards any one particular manufacturer??

I found https://www.userbenchmark.com/ but I am no so sure of their numbers.

 

[64K]

For GPUs this site.
For PSUs jonnyguru does very thorough tests.

 

[Wolvyreen]

For GPUs this site.
For PSUs jonnyguru does very thorough tests.

Your first line in your reply contains no links? Did you mean the userbenchmark as being the site to use?

 

[64K]

I meant TPU. This site.

 

[Wolvyreen]

ah! lol ok

 

[Redwoodz]

So I am on the hunt now for a new rig and I am wondering what the general consensus is around here for the best online comparison websites when deciding on which hardware to buy.

Any advice on which websites I should be using that is not biased towards any one particular manufacturer??

I found https://www.userbenchmark.com/ but I am no so sure of their numbers.

SiSoft Sandra uses industry standards- not proprietary bench scores
https://www.sisoftware.co.uk/

 

[W1zzard]

Besides the reviews (https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/?category=Graphics+Cards) also check out our GPU database, which has performance numbers for a ton of cards all put into a single chart, and it shows estimates for untested cards, too. (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/)

 

[Wolvyreen]

Besides the reviews (https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/?category=Graphics+Cards) also check out our GPU database, which has performance numbers for a ton of card all put into a single chart, and it shows estimates for untested cards, too. (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/)

awesome! this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[Vayra86]

So I am on the hunt now for a new rig and I am wondering what the general consensus is around here for the best online comparison websites when deciding on which hardware to buy.

Any advice on which websites I should be using that is not biased towards any one particular manufacturer??

I found https://www.userbenchmark.com/ but I am no so sure of their numbers.

NONE.

These benchmark sites just mine a lot of data and make something out of it, that may or may not be accurate. You get a ballpark idea, and it could be the wrong one too.

Use reviews with actual, real world results in it to compare GPUs. Check for your specific use case (resolution/quality/FPS target). And also see if the GPU is consistent in different engines/games and situations.

 

[Wolvyreen]

NONE.

These benchmark sites just mine a lot of data and make something out of it, that may or may not be accurate. You get a ballpark idea, and it could be the wrong one too.

Use reviews with actual, real world results in it to compare GPUs. Check for your specific use case (resolution/quality/FPS target). And also see if the GPU is consistent in different engines/games and situations.

this can be quite a daunting task but good advice nonetheless

 

[Vayra86]

this can be quite a daunting task but good advice nonetheless

No its not. TPU makes life easy: there are performance summaries per resolution, perf/dollar summaries, and you can have a quick look at the games used to conclude that the benchmarks used are extremely varied. This makes the performance summary a very good, neutral thing to base your choice on.

Credit of course to @W1zzard

 

[Bill_Bright]

I say read them all. Don't go by one review. And above all, do NOT put much weight in "user reviews". For one, happy users generally don't complain. And most don't even write reviews, and if they do, it is typically within a day or two of first use.

Also, many user reviews are skewed and products down-rated because FedEx delivered to the house next door, the package looked like it fell off the UPS truck, the Post Office delivered it a day late, or the picture on Amazon showed it was green but the one they received was red.

I only pay attention to user reviews if there are many that report the exact same problem with the exact same model number.

this can be quite a daunting task but good advice nonetheless

Yes, it can be - at first. But if you are patient, you will soon learn what to look for and it will become second nature.

But let's back up a second. You said,

So I am on the hunt now for a new rig

That suggests you are looking to buy a pre-assembled computer. Is that right? Or are you going to buy the components (motherboard, CPU, RAM, drive(s), case, PSU, graphics solution, Windows license, etc.) and assemble the computer yourself?

Either way, you need to set your budget.

You then need to decide if you want to go Intel or AMD. This is a choice you have to make for yourself. Don't let anyone tell you one is better than the other. Once you decide on a brand, pick a processor, or pick a motherboard - there are valid arguments on either side which to pick first. Either way, make sure the CPU you pick is listed on the motherboard's QVL (qualified vendors list).

I personally like Gigabyte boards and Intel processors. If I have not already settled on a CPU, I go back and forth between boards and processors until I find the combination I like that fits my budget.

Check the motherboard's RAM QVL. You don't have to buy listed RAM, but to ensure compatibility, you should buy RAM with the same specs as listed RAM.

Of course, checking QVLs does not matter if buying a pre-assembled computer.

If assembling your own, do NOT try to save the budget by skimping on the PSU. Buy a quality PSU from a reputable maker, at least 80 PLUS Bronze (I prefer Gold). I like EVGA and Seasonic. And get a good case too - one that has lots of cooling options. FTR, I never buy a case that does not have removable, washable air filters. I like Fractal Design cases - but that's me.

 

[Wolvyreen]

I'm going to start a thread in the System Builders Advice section to keep it all in one place.

Just to answer one of your questions, I plane to build my own. I always have over the years so it's not new to me

 

[Bill_Bright]

I always have over the years so it's not new to me

Great! How did you research parts before?

 

[Wolvyreen]

Great! How did you research parts before?

Well, the last time I built a FULL machine was 8 years ago but before that I used to build a new machine every 1-2 years or so until I had kids! LOL
I always used Toms Hardware to compare hardware components but being out of the pc building game for so long now, I am trying to find out from you gurus what the best course of action is.

 

[dirtyferret]

So I am on the hunt now for a new rig and I am wondering what the general consensus is around here for the best online comparison websites when deciding on which hardware to buy.

Any advice on which websites I should be using that is not biased towards any one particular manufacturer??

I found https://www.userbenchmark.com/ but I am no so sure of their numbers.

check out thier blog as well as they aggregate content from various web sites including techspot and TPU
https://www.logicalincrements.com/

other sites (obviously TPU reviews)
https://techreport.com/review/34371/the-tech-report-system-guide-january-2019-edition


anandtech has a great bench tool
https://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU-2019/2224
https://www.anandtech.com/show/12050/best-video-cards
https://www.anandtech.com/show/9793/best-cpus

tom's hierarchy lists
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-hierarchy,4312.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html