Benchmark in IT Glossary

A test used to compare performance of hardware and/or software.
Many trade magazines have developed their own benchmark tests,
which they use when reviewing a class of products. When comparing
benchmark results, it is important to know exactly what
the benchmarks are designed to test. A benchmark that
tests graphics speed, for example, may be irrelevant
to you if the type of graphical applications you
use are different from those used in the test.