Futuremark Releases 3DMark Cloud Gate Info, Full 3Dmark Coming January 2013

While we all wait patiently for the latest edition of the 3DMark benchmark, Futuremark is releasing a new test for Windows notebooks and desktops called 3DMark Cloud Gate. Cloud Gate is designed to offer a benchmarking tool for gamers with more modestly-spec’d systems, such as entry-level DirectX 11 rigs that won’t be able to handle the demanding Fire Strike test.

“Cloud Gate, one of three tests in the new 3DMark, uses a DirectX 11 engine limited to Direct3D feature level 10_0, making it suitable for testing DirectX 10 compatible hardware found in notebooks and typical home PCs,” said Futuremark President Oliver Baltuch in an email.



  

The test consists of two graphics tests and one physics test, and unlike the cross platform 3DMark that’s coming soon, Cloud Gate will only run on Windows--at least for now.



  

  

Baltuch also addressed the release schedule for the full version of 3Dmark. The Windows version is coming next month, but the Android, iOS, and Windows RT versions don’t have a clear timeline ("Q1 '13"), as they require more testing and must endure the pesky app store approval process before becoming generally available.