No, Cinebench 2024 is not the same as Cinebench R23. While both are benchmarking tools developed by Maxon to evaluate CPU performance, they are fundamentally different versions that utilize distinct rendering engines and methodologies, making their scores incomparable.
Why Cinebench 2024 and R23 Differ
The core difference between Cinebench 2024 and its predecessor, Cinebench R23, lies in the underlying rendering technology. Cinebench 2024 has transitioned to use the Redshift rendering engine, which is a powerful, GPU-accelerated renderer designed for modern production workflows. This is a significant departure from the engine used in R23, leading to profound changes in how the benchmark operates and calculates scores.
Key differences include:
- Rendering Engine: Cinebench 2024 uses the Redshift engine, reflecting current industry standards and optimizing for contemporary hardware capabilities. Cinebench R23 uses an older, different rendering engine.
- Workload Relevance: The 2024 version is designed to provide a more accurate representation of performance for demanding, real-world tasks that leverage modern rendering techniques.
- Score Incomparability: Due to these drastic internal changes, the scoring scales between the two versions are entirely different. A score obtained in Cinebench R23 cannot be directly compared or translated to a score in Cinebench 2024.
Incompatible Scoring Systems
Because of the architectural changes, scores from Cinebench 2024 cannot be directly compared to those from Cinebench R23. For instance, the same processor will yield significantly different, non-equivalent scores across the two versions.
Consider the following example demonstrating the difference in multi-core CPU scores for a high-end processor:
| CPU Model | Cinebench R23 Multi-Core Score (Approx.) | Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core Score (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| AMD Threadripper Pro 5965WX | 40,000 | 33,000 |
As shown, the same CPU produces varying scores, highlighting that these benchmarks operate on different scales and test methodologies. This means a higher score in R23 does not necessarily equate to a proportionally higher or lower score in 2024.
What These Changes Mean for Benchmarking
The introduction of Cinebench 2024 with the Redshift engine aims to provide a more relevant and forward-looking benchmark for evaluating CPU and GPU performance in professional rendering and design applications. While it offers a more accurate reflection of current hardware capabilities for modern workloads, users should be aware that their existing R23 scores become reference points for the R23 standard and not for comparison with 2024 results.
Accessing Cinebench
Both Cinebench R23 and Cinebench 2024 are available for download for various operating systems. For more detailed information on Cinebench 2024 and its capabilities, you can refer to insights from performance evaluation resources like Puget Systems.
