How Long Does 3DMark Take? Detailed Breakdowns of All Benchmark Runtimes

As an avid PC gamer and hardware junkie, benchmarking software has become an integral tool in my workflow when building new rigs or testing component upgrades. And 3DMark remains one of my go-to choices for thoroughly evaluating GPU and overall system performance.

But a question I often see popped up among first-time users is "how long does 3DMark take to run?" That runtime can vary quite a bit depending on which benchmark test you select.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down expected durations for every major 3DMark test and discuss ideal lengths for fully stress testing your hardware.

Individual 3DMark Benchmark Runtimes

While 3DMark now comprises a suite of various DX11 and DX12 benchmark tests, most users tend to focus on Time Spy for gauging gaming performance potential. Here are average runtimes for all the main 3DMark tests currently available:

As you can see, a full run of Time Spy takes just under 9 minutes with an AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT. I‘ll touch more on what kind of scores to expect for the latest GPUs in a bit.

But first, let‘s talk about an oft-overlooked set of benchmarks specifically designed to stress test stability and cooling…

Recommended 3DMark Stress Test Durations

Beyond those standard performance benchmarks, 3DMark contains dedicated Stress Tests for assessing hardware limits and finding potential faults.

These work by looping benchmark graphics tests continuously from 10 minutes up to a staggering 8 hours depending on your preferences. No loading screens, menus, or interruptions.

I often see people online running these for just 5 or 10 minutes and thinking they thoroughly tested system stability. In my experience, that simply isn‘t long enough in most cases.

Here are some general Stress Test runtime recommendations:

• 10-20 minutes – Quick check for basic cooling or stability issues
• 1-2 hours – Medium term test under prolonged load
• 4-8 hours – Ultimate stability and cooling torture test

Obviously on the extreme end, letting any benchmark run for 8 straight hours isn‘t terribly practical. But my advice would be to start with at least an hour and work your way up.

The longer you can run the Stress Tests without crashes or overheating, the more confidence you can have in your GPU‘s reliability under heavy gaming loads for long sessions.

And don‘t forget to compare temperatures and clock speeds between a short test and prolonged run. Often stability decreases slowly over time as things heat up and thermal throttling kicks in.

Now let‘s move on to everyone‘s main question around 3DMark – just how high should my scores be?

Average 3DMark Scores for the Latest GPUs

Interpreting the scores from all these different benchmark tests can be tricky – especially if you‘re upgrading to one of the latest high-end graphics cards.

Frame of reference matters a lot. While 3DMark offers plenty of leaderboards, it‘s best to compare your scores primarily with results from other users running the same GPU model.

Here are some general guidelines on average scores for the top gaming GPUs right now:

I‘ll focus on Time Spy here since it‘s the best indication of current AAA gaming performance. But the rankings roughly align similarly for Fire Strike and Night Raid tests too.

Match or surpass those scores, and you can feel confident your prized GPU is operating up to its expected potential. Fall short, and you may need to troubleshoot thermal throttling or other system bottlenecks dragging you down.

Now I want to touch on a related topic that often causes confusion – translating raw 3DMark numbers into tangible gaming framerates…

Converting 3DMark Scores into Average FPS

While 3DMark provides a standardized benchmark for comparing GPUs, many rightfully wonder:

"How do these crazy high scores actually translate into FPS I‘ll see in games?"

Luckily, 3DMark‘s makers UL Benchmarks did extensive testing to create performance correlation charts for multiple popular games.

Here‘s a snapshot showing estimated average FPS in titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and Forza Horizon 5 based on your Time Spy score:

So for example, my liquid-cooled RX 6900 XT system scores around 15,400 in Time Spy. Based on this data, I could expect ballpark 165 FPS on average while playing Call of Duty!

That kind of real-world gaming estimation makes it much easier to comprehend just how blisteringly fast these latest GPUs perform.

I‘ll wrap up this expanded 3DMark runtime guide by discussing my personal hardware test methodology and best practice recommendations…

My 3DMark Testing Methodology

With a dedicated benchmarking SSD drive, swapping components to test various GPU upgrades got addicting. I ended up building a library of scores across a dozen configurations!

Based on countless hours now devoted to 3DMark, here is a general outline of my full testing methodology:

• Run initial 1-hour stress test to validate stability
• Note temperatures, fan speeds, clock rates
• Run Time Spy test twice consecutively
• Compare scores across multiple matching systems
• Plot scores over time after further stability testing

I cannot stress enough the value of testing both performance consistency and long-term stability when it comes to properly assessing upgrades.

Many faulty components can pass short benchmark bursts just fine. But when temps ramp up after 30 minutes under full load, crashes can start occurring out of nowhere!

So in summary, while a full Time Spy run only takes 9 minutes or so, be prepared to commit at least 1-2 hours per system configuration to fully confirm your gear holds up over extended gaming sessions.

Use this guide as a 3DMark time reference, follow my testing methodology, and enjoy pushing your equipment to the limits! Please drop any feedback or personal target scores in the comments section below.