Benchmarking Directions

How to benchmark

Simply download the LWAutoBench application and it'll take care of everything for you. See the LWAutoBench page for more information.

If you don't want to use AutoBench or have a Macintosh, here's how I did it. I dropped my LightWave CDrom in my computer, changed the content directory to point to the CD, and loaded the benchmark scene files right from the CDrom. Double checked the render settings as described below at hit my 'Render Current Frame' keyboard key (F9 for me). Easy.

Alterations to benchmark scenes

Generally, the benchmark scenes should not be altered from their default configuration as loaded from the CD or content directory. However, there are a few exceptions which are allowed in order to take advantage of additional computing hardware.

Memory segments: Since nearly everyone renders scenes with one memory segment, I thought this would be be best way to benchmark the systems. If you don't have enough memory to render in one segment, you should probably buy some. This setting is the Segment Memory option in the Camera Properties panel in 6.0+ or the Camera Panel in 5.5/5.6.

Threads: In order to make use of multiple CPU's, the number of rendering threads needs to be increased. Typically, 1 thread should be allocated for each CPU, but people seem to get additional speed by allocating multiple threads per CPU. For example, a dual CPU machine should have a minimum of 2 threads, but 4 or 8 threads may result in some additional speed. This setting is the Multithreading option in the Render Options panel in 6.0+ or the Render panel in 5.5/5.6.

Extra Raytrace Optimization: Some people have discovered that disabling the Extra Raytrace Optimization option in 6.5+ increases the rendering speed of some scenes. Experiment and see if your scene renders faster with or without the optimization and make a note of it in the comments section of the data input form. This option is located in the Render Options panel in 6.5+. It is not an option in earlier versions of LightWave.

Show Rendering in Progress: Displaying the rendered image will slow rendering speed slightly. Make sure that 'Show Rendering in Progress' is turned off in the Render Options panel in 6.0+ and the Render panel in 5.5/5.6.

Ray Recursion Limit

Before LW5.0z5 (I think) there was no way to change this option from it's default. In fact, I didn't even know it existed. Anyone know what the hardcoded value was? With LW5.5, this value can be changed. It defaults to 16, which is where you should leave it.

Double check before rendering

Before you click render, there are a few things you should check...

• Make sure before you render, you don't have a screensaver running. If you'd rather give up processor speed so you can watch some flying toasters...well, you've got too much time.
• These are NOT benchmarks for RenderGL, Wireframe or Quickshade. 'Rendering Mode' should always be set to realistic.
• Mark Allington (13oots2) from www.overclockers.com also reminds you to, "Disable and turn of all programs not necessary to benching. Virus checkers, Firewalls, Messenger etc. Even being connected to the net can affect times quite significantly. Run benchmarks immediately after the above steps. I have noticed as much as a second and a half difference in times for Textures scene, when carrying out these steps after a system has been running for a number of hours." Thanks Mark!

CPU speed and overclocking

So, you've decided to squeeze every last computing cycle out of your computer. How do you benchmark an overclocked CPU? Simply record it at the overclocked speed. For example, if you pushed a 120MHz Pentium to a 133 as I did, enter it as a 133. Special cases involving overdrive chips and such should send me email or enter the info at the bottom of the benchmark form. I tried to make the form as general as possible, and I don't know how these chips should fit in.

Reporting Your Render Time

After you have your scene prepared, just hit your 'Render Current Frame' keyboard key (F9 on Windows systems) on frame 0 of the scene. Kick back and wait. Record the time in SECONDS. Newer versions of LightWave include fractions of a second in their rendering report. I haven't updated the database to handle fractional seconds, so for now, simply round to the nearest whole second.

Determining your Lightwave Version

LW 5.x: On Win95, Win98 and WinNT, just hold down SHIFT and CTRL while selecting 'About LightWave' with your mouse. To find your Mac LightWave version, find the application icon. Click once on it to highlight it. Press Command (apple key or the little propeller) - i, or choose "Get Info..." from the "File" menu. It will give a box with some info, including the version and build. (A big thanks to Chris Paveglio for the Mac info!)

LW 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x: I *think* this works for all operating systems - Simply select 'Modeler->About Modeler' in Modeler or 'Layout->About LightWave 3D' in Layout. A small window will pop up containing the version number and build.

Other stuff

Please contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the Benchmark Page.