CapFrameX capture and analysis tool to integrate Intel’s new PresentMon Beta

CapFrameX already working on an update featuring new PresentMon

CapFrameX is a monitoring and capturing tool built upon Intel’s PresentMon framework, and it stands out as one of the premier applications showcased on the PresentMon GitHub page for its effective use of this software. While Intel’s PresentMon is adept at capturing and analyzing data, it doesn’t focus on data collection and user-friendly data reporting – these capabilities are handled by third-party tools like CapFrameX, FrameView, or OCAT.

Recently, Intel unveiled a new beta version of its PresentMon software, marking a complete rewrite from the ground up. This revamped tool introduces several noteworthy features. Firstly, it incorporates enhanced metrics data collection and a user-friendly overlay, easily accessible through an intuitive user interface – both of which were absent in the original iteration of PresentMon.

The most significant enhancement, however, is the introduction of a metric known as “GPU Busy.” This metric aims to illustrate the duration during which the GPU was actively engaged in rendering frames, essentially specifying the time the GPU was occupied. In scenarios where the GPU is the performance bottleneck, this metric should ideally read 100%. Any value lower than this indicates a CPU-bound situation. This is a valuable tool for developers seeking to identify performance bottlenecks in their software and may even hint at the need for an upgraded CPU or GPU.

GPU Busy metric,Source: Intel

The GPU Busy metric represents an evolution similar to the frame time analysis that gained prominence in the last decade. NVIDIA’s FCAT tool was instrumental in this regard, being widely used by reviewers for in-depth GPU performance analysis. Metrics like framerate, frametime, and GPU Busy have the potential to become central to future GPU testing if reviewers opt to concentrate on this feature.

To simplify testing further, many GPU reviewers rely on tools such as CapFrameX. It distinguishes itself with superior data collection and analysis tools, setting the ‘benchmark’ for similar applications or custom software that reviewers depend on. CapFrameX team was quick to confirm they are already working on a new version of their software that will utilize the new PresentMon. It may, however, take some time for the team to rewrite the necessary code.

Currently, CapFrameX utilizes RTSS (Riva Tuner Statistic Server) for its overlay functionality. However, if Intel permits, CapFrameX could seamlessly transition to Intel’s own implementation, eliminating the need for an additional software installation in the process.

If anyone wonders why the PresentMon GitHub page has not been updated yet, Intel encountered an issue with the repository update and promises to update it next week. The code that will be shared will be identical to the one posted on Intel’s dedicated page for the new PresentMon. In any case, if you never tried either software, we recommend checking them out. Both are free to download.

Source: CapFrameX, PresentMon Beta