Next, we tested the UX490UA’s graphics capabilities with gaming benchmarks and a pro graphics test that measures the machine's ability to render 3D workloads on the CPU and integrated GPU.
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Cinebench R11.5
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3D Rendering On The CPU And GPU
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Cinebench is developed by Maxon, which is known for its
Cinema 4D software. We use both of Cinebench’s integrated tests for CPU and GPU-driven workloads. The CPU test uses thousands of rendering objects to stress the processor, while the GPU test puts your system’s graphics chip to work with a short, 3D rendered scene involving a car chase. The CPU test is measured in points, while the GPU test is measured by the framerate. In both tests, higher numbers represent better performance.
Again, the 14-inch ZenBook 3 Deluxe turns in a respectable, strong score near the top of the OpenGL tests; it’s no competition for laptops with modern discrete graphics but it outruns older integrated graphics. In the CPU benchmark, cores rule, and quad-core laptops run circles around it. It does, however, score very well for a mainstream dual-core ultrabook.
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3DMark Cloud Gate
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Synthetic DirectX Gaming And Graphics Testing
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Futuremark’s well-known 3DMark benchmark suite features tests aimed at different types of devices. We opted for the Cloud Gate and Sky Driver tests, for which we have plenty of comparison data but also as light-duty 3D graphics and gaming benchmarks that are well-targeted for thin and light notebook devices. Sky Diver is a bit more strenuous but still well within the limits of our test group.
Here we see the ZenBook beating out nearly everything else in its class, and virtually tying the new Lenovo
ThinkPad X1 Carbon (which has the same processor). Both are ahead of other similar, but slightly older, Kaby Lake based laptops. This leads us to believe that an updated graphics driver is likely responsible for the improved performance.
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Far Cry 2 Game Test
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DirectX 10 Game Testing
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FarCry 2 is pretty old by now, but it is still a good test for entry-level PCs and ultrabooks that rely on low-wattage processors with integrated graphics. It features reasonably high quality textures, complex shaders, and dynamic lighting to create a rich and immersive environment powered with DX10-class effects. More importantly, it includes an exceptional benchmarking tool. We run the benchmark at 720p and 60Hz on the "High" detail preset with the DirectX 10 rendering path. It is actually still a great yardstick to see just how far integrated graphics solutions have come.
The story here is very similar to 3DMark. The UX490UA performs better than most other ultrabooks with older processors, and very similar to other dual-core Kaby Lake systems. If you bump up to a higher-end quad-core Intel CPU or discrete graphics, you get way better performance, but you knew that. For a sub 2.5-pound machine, however, you won't find much better gaming performance.
