Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation

SPEC graphics performance group expands scope under new charter

WARRENTON, Va., August 7, 2007 -- The Standard Performance Evaluation Corp.'s board of directors has approved a new charter that expands the scope of its graphics performance characterization group, formerly known as SPEC/GPC.

Under the new charter, the renamed Graphics & Workstation Performance Group (GWPG) can investigate standardized benchmarking projects in areas such as OpenGL ES, rendering, digital video and photography, power consumption, and a full range of workstation applications.

Existing project groups operating under the SPEC/GWPG charter are able to pursue a wider spectrum of benchmarking options.� The OpenGL Performance Characterization (SPECopc) group, now known as SPECgpc (Graphics Performance Characterization), can go beyond OpenGL benchmarks to address other graphics APIs such as DirectX.� The Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) group retains its name, but can now develop benchmarks for a broad range of workstation applications, not just those that are graphics-intensive.

"SPEC's graphics benchmarks are among the most popular in the world, well known for objectivity, reliability and repeatability," says Steve Donley, SPEC/GWPG chair.� "Over the years, we have had requests to apply SPEC's expertise and proven methodologies in other areas that would benefit the user and vendor communities.� The new charter gives us the green light to explore these areas."

Anyone interested in investigating new benchmarks with SPEC/GWPG is encouraged to email the organization at [email protected].

ABOUT SPEC/GWPG

SPEC/GWPG is an umbrella organization for approved project groups that develop standardized methods of measuring graphics and workstation performance for different hardware platforms.� It is a committee of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. �(SPEC), a non-profit corporation formed to establish, maintain and endorse a standardized set of relevant benchmarks that can be applied to the newest generation of computers.� For more information, visit: www.spec.org.

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Media contact:
Bob Cramblitt, Cramblitt & Company
919-481-4599; [email protected]

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