Graphics Performance Characterization Group

An Overview of the GPC Group, Its Projects and Membership Options

The GPC Group has developed into an umbrella organization for autonomous project groups that develop new graphics benchmark methods and performance reporting procedures. The group supports the development of a range of graphics benchmarks that have a value to the user and vendor communities and is always looking for new groups that might want to operate under the GPC charter.

By joining the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. (SPEC) in early 1996, the GPC Group became part of an organization that comprises a wide range of performance benchmarking groups. Two years before, the GPC Group reorganized its activities under approved projects to reflect its expanding role in graphics benchmarking. Each project has an organization that operates under the auspices of the parent GPC Group. The project group can adopt the procedures of the GPC Group or develop its own procedures that can be tailored to the objectives of the approved project. This arrangement provides complete autonomy, with the exception that the project group procedures cannot conflict with those of the GPC Group and its parent organization, SPEC.

Support for the Project Groups 

The GPC Group provides administrative support for its project groups, but does not participate in the activities, or influence the results of, project efforts. The GPC organization provides a forum for technical interchange, for identifying new projects, for coordinating activities of existing project groups, and for making recommendations regarding direction, priorities and schedules for group activities.

GPC Project Groups

Project groups are the operational bodies for approved projects of the GPC Group. Responsibilities include both the business operation and the technical development work of the approved projects. Current GPC project groups are the Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc^SM) project and the OpenGL Performance Characterization (SPECopc^SM) project. 

Who Can Join and How

Membership in SPEC/GPC project groups is available for an annual fee to any organization committed to fulfilling the group's goals. Membership in a SPEC/GPC project group includes membership in the GPC Group.

Non-profit organizations, including colleges and universities, are eligible for Associate status for a discounted annual fee. All project group, GPC and SPEC rules and rights apply to Associates, except for voting rights.

For more information about membership or to request a membership application, contact Kathy Powers at 540-349-7878 or by e-mail at gpcinfo@spec.org.