Lower than expected 3DMark2000 scores

[icculus]

Greetings all,

After configuring my A7V / Tbird 800 to run smoothly at 950 MHz under windows 2000, I ran a few benchmarks in anticipation of comparing my scores with similarly configured systems. I downloaded a copy of 3DMark2000, installed it, and ran the defaults (1024x768 deals)

..

I'm scoring anywhere from 2700-2800 marks.
Note: 205-215 cpu marks.
...

I've had some friends of mine run the same tests and they are destroying my scores with similar equipment. Let me be a bit more specific:

Asus A7V
Tbird 800 at 950
Diamond Viper v770 (Nvidia TNT2 Ultra 32M)
Detonator 6.18 drivers
Mushkin budget pc133 3/3/3 (garbage)

Now - To solve some stability issues I changed that bios setting to NORMAL from OPTIMAL that appears to run AGP at 2x insted of 4x. I know that changing the agp multiplier doesnt seem to effect fps all that much, but does that setting effect much more? I can't successfully run 3dMark if I set it to OPTIMAL. AGP Fast writes are on.

I'm actually most concerned about the cpu marks. low 200s? My friend's 900 duron is getting well over 350. Another friend of mine has a p3 750 getting in the 350 range as well. What am I doing wrong here? I ran that lame little CpuMark99 from zdnet and scored an 81.7 - Dont know if that is worth anything.

Could this be windows 2000's fault? I'm going to get a win98 setup going here to compare results soon. Any input?

 

[kami]

Were 3dnow! optimizations selected? Also...with a TNT2 I don't know how much higher you could get in 3dmark 2000. Your CPU Marks are definitley low though.

 

[dukdukgoos]

You will always score a lot lower in Win2k than Win98 with 3dmark, although I've heard that a combo of the Detonator 3 drivers and DirectX 8 (still in beta) bring Win2k performance in line with Win98.

 

[icculus]

1024*768*16
Using 16-Bit zbuffer, triple frame buffer

Amd Athlon Optimization: 206 cpu marks
Amd 3DNow! Optimization: 188 cpu marks
D3D Software Optimization: 177 cpu marks

These aren't averages.. I just ran them once for this post.
Pretty low scores =(

Anyone else test under win 2000?

 

[icculus]

I've installed windows 98 and my scores have increased.. however, not to par. Here are some one-time-only-run scores.

3DMark2000 CPU Marks:
Athlon Optimization: 288
3DNow Optimization: 276
Total marks: 3078

Still well below where I think I should be. Keep in mind that I had to clock down to 900 MHz for win98 (Wierd I am able to get 950 in 2000 yet only 900 in 98 suddenly) .. I was also able to turn that agp related bios setting to OPTIMAL for win98.

So I'm rather unhappy with these scores..

I would also like to mention I have an SB Live! Value. Some people have told me that it can cripple your scores. Any ideas fellas?

 

[judgebao]

Install VIA 4 in 1 Driver (newest one), reboot. After that install the AGP driver only, reboot (I know the AGP driver is included in the 4 in 1, just do it). Try to bench it again.

 

[Deeko]

NonononononononononononononononononononononononoNO Don't use 3DMark as a benchmark! It should only be used as a stress test. It is horrible, it is so inaccurate. I got 3100 on my TNT2/Tbird 800, yes a tad higher than yours, but who cares? My V5 is worlds better than my TNT2, but it only gets 3300. Am I upset about it? No. Why? 3Dmark is trash. Use a game benchmark, like QuakeIII or something. QuakeIII isn't the best, but it's decent, and it's pretty much like a standard. Even UT is better than 3Dmark, and UT isn't a very good benchmark, as it isn't a very good engine.

 

[icculus]

Good benchmark or not, I'm just a little worried that people are squashing my marks with cheaper stuff. I'd be interested in scores people are getting using TNT2 Ultras on A7Vs. I'm going to get rid of my sb live for a run through later.

 

[AngelOfDeath]

My score went from 3650 to 2800 in win2k aften installing dx8 🙁. Don't know what went wrong but my monitor is gone or to be more specicfic gone in the device manager. I think it disappeared after I installed dx8 so win2k reinstall here I go again 🙁

AoD 😛