Commenting on: What is the best benchmarking tool for graphics accelerators?

I recently read a question on CGSociety forums on how to evaluate graphic card using benchmarks. Let me share an edited version of the question and then provide what I consider the most realistic and valuable answer.

Question - How do benchmarks reflect real life experience?
Every review I’ve seen shows rather dramatic advantage for the FireGL over the Quadro in Maya’s benchmark. But everyone I have…