Benchmark programs

[milkmandan]

I keep seeing a lot of people get programs to bench mark their new video card or CPU speeds, i am wondering which are the popular programs..

I keep hearing 3d mark. but which ones do i get? And can i go with a free trail version? or must i pay for it?

what are some other popular benchmark programs, and where can i download them? Can i use trail version for good results?

[Fungus]

3dmark01se, 3dmark03, 3dmark05, 3dmark06 3dmarkVantage (if you have vista), Cinebench, Crystalmark, Lightsmark, Aquamark etc...

most of them are free or can be used unregistered, you only need to register to use all the options and submit your scores.