The UL Benchmark team released a software update for the popular 3DMark benchmarking utility. Version v2.32.8871 brings major architectural changes to how the tool runs on Windows on Arm processors. This update removes translation layers that previously slowed down DirectX 12 and ray tracing workloads.
UL Benchmark utility removes translation layers for improved DirectX 12 efficiency
This update is designed for users operating Windows on Arm devices, such as those utilizing Qualcomm Snapdragon processors or similar ARM architectures. The software now distinguishes between native execution and x64 emulation modes through visual indicators in the interface. Enterprise and evaluation editions allow manual switching between these two execution paths.
Key technical changes include full native support for DirectX 12 feature sets on Windows on Arm platforms. Users can now run Mesh Shader, Sampler Feedback, DirectX Raytracing (DXR), Variable Rate Shading (VRS), and PCIe tests without emulation overhead. The Speed Way and Port Royal ray tracing benchmarks also execute natively instead of relying on translation layers.
The update improves efficiency by eliminating software translation between x86 instructions and ARM architecture. Benchmark scores remain identical to previous versions, but the native path reduces processing overhead. The update benefits developers evaluating software on Arm systems by providing precise performance metrics free from translation overhead.
The developer behind 3DMark has long specialized in creating DirectX 12 performance utilities for the Windows platform. Earlier releases incorporated compatibility with advanced graphics capabilities and optimized testing procedures for contemporary systems.
The v2.32.8871 release confirms native Windows on Arm support as a stable feature in the 3DMark suite. The application displays visual indicators to confirm native operation, allowing users to experience improved efficiency in ray tracing benchmarks.
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