If you searched this exact tool name, you are probably trying to confirm whether a new SSD actually hits its advertised speed, or figuring out why storage suddenly feels slow. Unlike its sibling CrystalDiskInfo, which only reads health data, CrystalDiskMark actively writes and reads a temporary test file to measure real throughput. That distinction matters because it means the benchmark needs some free space on whichever drive you are testing.
Why Benchmarking Writes Temporary Test Files
CrystalDiskMark measures speed by writing and then reading back a temporary test file whose size you choose before running the benchmark. Results are broken into sequential and random 4K read and write numbers, which line up with the figures manufacturers publish for their drives. It is free for Windows, with both a standalone installer and a Microsoft Store listing available.
Who ends up using CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark is the tool people reach for right after installing a new SSD, to confirm it actually hits its advertised read and write speeds.
- Buyers verifying a new SSD reaches its advertised sequential read/write speeds
- Troubleshooters comparing before-and-after speeds when storage suddenly feels slow
- PC builders benchmarking different drives before choosing one for a build
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about CrystalDiskMark before you request the link: it only ships for Windows, so double-check that's the machine you're installing it on before you request the link. And on pricing, CrystalDiskMark is free to use outright — there's no paid tier hiding behind it, so what you install is the whole app. It's developed and maintained by Crystal Dew World.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the CrystalDiskMark installer for Windows
- Install it and select the drive plus test file size you want to benchmark
- Run the test and compare sequential and random speed results to your drive's rated specs
CrystalDiskMark: the honest trade-offs
- Clear sequential and random 4K benchmarks that match manufacturer spec sheets
- Adjustable test file size and pass count for more accurate results
- Available both as a standalone installer and a Microsoft Store app
- Benchmark writes temporary test data, so it needs free space on the target drive
- Results can vary with drive fullness and background activity, confusing new users
The version offered here is Crystal Dew World's official CrystalDiskMark build, not a repackaged copy.
Other System Utilities downloads people search for
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Keeping CrystalDiskMark up to date
CrystalDiskMark typically checks for updates from inside the app, or you can just re-download the current installer from the official source periodically — reinstalling over the top keeps your settings. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main CrystalDiskMark page.
Frequently asked questions
Does CrystalDiskMark permanently write test data to my drive?
It creates a temporary test file for the benchmark and removes it afterward, though the test itself does briefly use write cycles on the drive.
Why do my results look lower than the SSD's advertised speed?
Advertised speeds are often best-case sequential numbers; real results depend on test file size, drive fullness, and background system activity.
