Yes, you can run 3DMark05 on modern Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, but it requires specific workarounds to prevent crashes and resource initialization errors caused by vintage software running on modern hardware architecture. 1. Download the Legacy Installer & Key
UL Benchmarks has made their vintage catalogs completely free to the public.
Download the original installation files directly from the UL Solutions Legacy Benchmarks page.
Use the official registration key provided by UL on that exact same landing page to unlock the full Pro version features. 2. Fix the “SystemInfo” Startup Crash
The most common issue on modern PCs is an immediate crash during the “Initializing System Info” screen. This occurs because the benchmark’s 20-year-old hardware detection module cannot understand modern multi-core CPUs or modern GPUs.
The Quick Fix: Right-click your 3DMark05 desktop shortcut and select Properties. In the Target field, add a space to the very end of the line and type -nosysteminfo (e.g., “C:\Program Files…\3DMark05.exe” -nosysteminfo). This skips the component check entirely and lets the program boot cleanly.
The Alternate Fix: Alternatively, open your Windows Apps & Features menu and completely uninstall Futuremark SystemInfo if it was bundled into the directory. 3. Resolve the Direct3D Device Creation Error
Because modern displays run at much higher refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz+) and multi-gigabyte video memory sizes that 3DMark05 was never built to calculate, you may encounter a “Could not reset the Direct3D device” error. Running old 3D Benchmarks with modern hardware and OS
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