3DMark has added a new storage benchmark that allows users to determine how quickly their SSDs, hybrid drives, and other storage devices might load popular games such as Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, in addition to other performance metrics. Owners of the Advanced Edition of 3DMark ($29.99) can add the new storage benchmark to their testing suite for $2.99.
From UL:
The problem with many storage tests is that they use artificial, synthetic workloads to measure performance under ideal conditions. Results from these tests are hard to relate to practical, everyday needs, which is why the 3DMark Storage Benchmark focuses on measuring real-world gaming performance.
Sample of real-world gaming performance that can be tested:
- Loading Battlefield V from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 from launch to the main menu.
- Loading Overwatch from launch to the main menu.
- Recording a 1080p gameplay video at 60 FPS with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) while playing Overwatch.
- Installing The Outer Worlds from the Epic Games Launcher.
- Saving game progress in The Outer Worlds.
- Copying the Steam folder for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from an external SSD to the system drive.
Reference scores for a handful of popular SSDs:
- Intel Optane SSD 900P 280 GB (PCI Express 3 M.2): 4,241
- Samsung SSD 980 PRO 500 GB (PCI Express 4 M.2): 2,858
- WD_BLACK SN750 NVMe 500GB (PCI Express 3 M.2): 2,014
- Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1 TB (SATA III): 1,193
Source: 3DMark