• SPECint_rate and SPECfp_rate are typically used to demonstrate the performance of multi‐processor systems. The results are given as base and peak, with the higher the result, the better the performance
• This benchmark is limited to the chip and chipset, memory architecture, and associated compiler, so it does not cover I/O, operating systems, or other system components.

CINT2006 (for integer compute intensive performance comparisons):

• SPECint_base2006: The geometric mean of twelve normalized ratios when the benchmarks are compiled with base tuning.
• SPECint_rate_base2006: The geometric mean of twelve normalized throughput ratios when the benchmarks are compiled with base tuning.

CFP2006 (for floating point compute intensive performance comparisons:

• SPECfp_base2006: The geometric mean of seventeen normalized ratios when the benchmarks are compiled with base tuning.
• SPECfp_rate_base2006: The geometric mean of seventeen normalized throughput ratios when the benchmarks are compiled with base tuning.

What is the difference between a “base” metric and a “peak” metric?

• The base metrics (e.g. SPECint_base2006) are required for all reported results and have stricter guidelines for compilation. For example, the same flags must be used in the same order for all benchmarks of a given language. This is the point closer to those who might prefer a relatively simple build process.
• The peak metrics (e.g. SPECint2006) are optional and have less strict requirements. For example, different compiler options may be used on each benchmark, and feedback-directed optimization is allowed. This point is closer to those who may be willing to invest more time and effort in development of build procedures.

What is the difference between a “rate” and a “speed” metric?

• There are several different ways to measure computer performance. One way is to measure how fast the computer completes a single task; this is a *speed* measure.
• Another way is to measure how many tasks a computer can accomplish in a certain amount of time; this is called a throughput, capacity or *rate* measure.
• The SPEC speed metrics (e.g., SPECint2006) are used for comparing the ability of a computer to complete single tasks.
• The SPEC rate metrics (e.g., SPECint_rate2006) measure the throughput or rate of a machine carrying out a number of tasks.

Is there a way to translate SPEC CPU2000 results to SPEC CPU2006 results or vice versa?

• There is no formula for converting CPU2000 results to CPU2006 results and vice versa; they are different products.

CINT2006 contains 12 benchmarks: 9 use C, and 3 use C++. The benchmarks are:

CFP2006 has 17 benchmarks: 4 use C++, 3 use C, 6 use Fortran, and 4 use a mixture of C and Fortran. The benchmarks are: