3DMark05 is a benchmarking software designed for video gamers. This type of tool helps them figure out if their computer system is strong enough to handle a particular game.

When you initialize the program, the color scheme of Windows 7 changes to basic. The program takes a while to load, and you are welcomed by useful daily tips.

The user interface of 3DMark05 is quite friendly.

You can view settings for tests (three selected game tests, CPU tests, features tests, and batch size tests), graphics (resolution, anti-aliasing, filtering, HLSL VS and PS target, fixed framerate), the system (GFX, CPU and operating system), as well as results.

Unfortunately, you cannot configure tests, graphics, the image quality (resolution, anti-aliasing, texture filtering, VS and PS profile, rendering options, frame rendering), the filtering and anti-aliasing tool, or graphs, in this edition. In order to do so, you must switch to the Pro or Business version of 3DMark05.

We tried to view a detailed report of our system's hardware and software settings, but 3DMark05 was unable to do so.

In order to view the score of your benchmarking test, you must run all game tests. You can see it online, export it to an Excel file, or save it as a 3DMark05 result file (3DR format).

Additionally, 3DMark05 comes with improved GPU core and memory clock detection for enhanced compatibility, and adds support for newer hardware.

Obviously, this software uses a high amount of CPU and memory, which is completely normal while it's running a benchmark.

Overall, it would have been nice to see what 3DMark05 is fully capable of, but this is not available in the free edition, sadly.  Still, it's free to try!