Cinebench review
A focused free benchmark for CPU, GPU rendering, and ray-tracing workloads.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Cinebench is free PC benchmarking software from Maxon Computer GmbH for evaluating CPU and GPU performance through production-quality 3D rendering workloads. It is suited to computer owners, IT administrators, hardware reviewers, and manufacturers assessing rendering performance, sustained load behavior, and hardware capabilities. The software runs on Windows and macOS, with CPU single-thread, single-core SMT, and multi-thread benchmarks alongside GPU rendering tests.
Its strongest area is workload depth within rendering-focused benchmarking. Cinebench covers ray tracing, shader execution, geometry processing, lighting, global illumination, and scene complexity, using consistent render scenes across platforms and devices. Configurable minimum benchmark runtimes support longer or shorter runs, while command-line execution enables automation. The product also integrates with Cinema 4D and Redshift, making it a natural fit for workflows connected to Maxon’s rendering ecosystem. These capabilities make Cinebench a good choice when the goal is to compare rendering-oriented CPU and GPU performance rather than measure a broad set of PC tasks.
Cinebench is free, which keeps it accessible for individual users and organizations evaluating hardware without a paid plan. The main limitation is result handling: Cinebench 2026 results are not saved as a file, so users needing documented export should account for that constraint. Maxon’s current materials also state that results from Cinebench 2026 should not be compared with earlier versions. Pick Cinebench for free, repeatable CPU and rendering benchmarks with CLI support; choose another tool when file-based result export or broader non-rendering coverage is central to the evaluation.
Cinebench pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Tests CPU single-thread, single-core, and multi-thread performance
- Includes GPU rendering and detailed ray-tracing workloads
- Supports consistent scenes, custom runtimes, and CLI execution
- Where it doesn't
- Results are not saved as a file
- Results from Cinebench 2026 should not be compared with earlier versions
- Supports Windows and macOS only
Cinebench fact sheet, pricing and score →
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