Quick Answer
novabench.exe is safe. It is the official Novabench benchmarking tool that runs a controlled set of tests to produce performance scores for CPU, GPU, memory, and disk.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Novabench or the official installer location
Warning
Benchmark suite runs in sequence
Novabench uses separate tests for CPU, GPU, memory, and disk; expect multiple subprocesses during a run
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can stop a test or exit the app; you may also disable startup launching if desired
What is novabench.exe?
novabench.exe is the executable for the Novabench benchmarking tool. It runs a sequence of standardized tests to measure CPU, GPU, memory, and disk throughput, then reports scores that you can use to compare hardware or track performance changes over time. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux via a unified launcher.
Novabench uses a compact, deterministic test suite to evaluate CPU speed, GPU rendering, memory bandwidth, and disk I/O. Results are presented as a total score with sub-scores for each component, enabling straightforward hardware comparisons.
Quick Fact: Novabench provides a repeatable benchmark across platforms, allowing you to compare system performance before and after upgrades.
Types of Novabench Processes
- Launcher Process: Initial UI and test orchestration (1 instance)
- CPU Benchmark: CPU stress and speed tests (multiple instances)
- GPU Benchmark: Graphics rendering and shader workloads
- Memory Benchmark: Memory bandwidth and latency tests
- Disk Benchmark: Sequential and random I/O tests
- Result Reporter: Stores and presents benchmark scores
Is novabench.exe Safe?
Yes, novabench.exe is safe when downloaded from the official Novabench site and run on a supported OS.
Is novabench.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real novabench.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes masquerades with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if novabench.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Novabench\novabench.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Novabench\novabench.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer "Novabench".
- Resource Usage:: During a benchmark, expect moderate CPU usage and memory; idle CPU should be low.
- Behavior:: Novabench should run when launched or during an explicit test. Persistent background activity without user action is suspicious.
Red Flags: If novabench.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when you aren’t launching it, has no digital signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus software. Watch for similarly named files like "novabench32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is novabench.exe Running on My PC?
novabench.exe runs when you start the Novabench application or when a benchmark is initiated. It may also run background tests if you enable certain options to monitor performance over time.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Benchmark Run: You have started a CPU, GPU, memory, or disk test; each test runs in its own process.
- Background Data Collection: Novabench may collect performance data to populate graphs and historical records.
- Startup or Auto-Launch: Novabench is configured to launch at Windows startup or login.
- Update and Check-for-Results: The app may check for updates or sync results with your Novabench account.
- Tray Icon and Notifications: Background tasks related to the system tray icon or progress notifications can keep the process running briefly.
Can I Disable or Remove novabench.exe?
Yes, you can disable novabench.exe. It's safe to close the app when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you no longer want benchmarking on your system.
How to Stop novabench.exe
- End Benchmark: In the Novabench UI, stop the current benchmark or press the close button when no tests are running.
- Close Application: Exit the app completely from the system tray or Task Manager (End Task for novabench.exe).
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Novabench.
- Disable Background Tasks: Within Novabench settings, turn off background data collection and launcher options.
- Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Novabench → Uninstall
How to Uninstall Novabench
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Novabench → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Novabench → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternatives: Cinebench, 3DMark, or Geekbench for different benchmarking needs
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If novabench.exe is consuming excessive resources during a benchmark or idle time:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Benchmarking multiple components at once: Limit tests to a single component at a time or close other heavy programs during the run.
- Outdated hardware drivers: Update GPU, chipset, and storage drivers to the latest versions from the manufacturer.
- Background extensions or services: Disable unnecessary background services or temporarily disable antivirus during benchmarking.
- Insufficient RAM: Close browser tabs and apps; consider adding more RAM for large benchmarks.
- Running on HDD with fragmentation: Defragment the disk or run the benchmark on an SSD for better throughput.
- Conflicting software: Temporarily disable monitoring tools or other benchmark utilities that may interfere.
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Novabench Task Manager to identify high-usage tests
3. Close unnecessary tabs and background apps
4. Update Novabench to the latest version
5. Run tests with hardware acceleration enabled if applicable
6. If persistent issues occur, reinstall Novabench from the official site
Frequently Asked Questions
Is novabench.exe safe?
Yes, novabench.exe is safe when downloaded from the official Novabench site and located in the expected path, e.g., C:\Program Files\Novabench\novabench.exe, with a valid signature.
What does Novabench measure?
Novabench measures CPU speed, GPU rendering, memory bandwidth, and disk I/O, then returns a total score plus sub-scores for each component.
Can I run Novabench without internet?
Yes, you can run benchmarks offline, but some features like account sync and updates require internet access.
Does Novabench require admin privileges?
Normal benchmarking does not require admin rights, but installing or updating the software may require elevated permissions depending on your system policy.
How long does a benchmark take?
Most benchmarks complete within a few minutes, depending on hardware and selected test suites.
Where do I view results and compare scores?
Results are shown in the Novabench app and can be synced to your Novabench account for online comparison and history.