New 3DMark Benchmark Test Will Let You Use Upscaling, Frame Gen to Boost FPS

UL Solutions, the developer behind 3DMark, revealed an unreleased next-generation ray-tracing benchmark at Computex 2026 in Taipei. The demo, spotted at the Thermal Grizzly stand, showcases a 4K resolution test with AI upscaling and frame generation to improve frame rates while maintaining visual fidelity. The benchmark, described as the most demanding 3DMark test to date, features a sci-fi scene with robotic characters, reflective surfaces, and high-contrast lighting, pushing even high-end GPUs like the 7900XTX to their limits. The upcoming test focuses on path tracing, a more computationally intensive technique than traditional ray tracing, and includes dynamic visual enhancements to balance performance demands. Unlike previous 3DMark benchmarks like Solar Bay or Port Royal, which targeted lower resolutions or older technologies, this new version aims to reflect modern GPU capabilities while evaluating AI-assisted rendering techniques. UL has not yet officially announced the benchmark, but the demo suggests it will prioritize both raw performance and AI-driven upscaling efficiency. The demo displayed a 'Work in progress' banner, indicating potential changes before release, but the visual complexity—including futuristic environments, alien characters, and interactive machines—was immediately striking. Existing benchmarks like Solar Bay Extreme already challenge top-tier GPUs, and this new test appears to raise the bar further. The inclusion of AI upscaling and frame generation also signals an emphasis on testing how hardware accelerators handle these features without introducing noticeable latency. Thermal Grizzly, one of 3DMark’s sponsors, provided an early glimpse of the benchmark at Computex, reinforcing its role as a key benchmarking tool for modern GPUs. While the final scoring methodology remains unconfirmed, the demo implies that AI-assisted technologies will play a central role in determining performance metrics. UL’s track record with ray-tracing benchmarks like Port Royal and Solar Bay suggests this new test will remain a critical reference for evaluating high-end graphics cards in the coming years.