nForce2 Sucks with Bump Mapping! Check Your FPS! (9700 / FX / 3DMark)

[aldamon]

nForce2 and Radeon 9700 Owners: Check your Environment Bump Mapping score in 3DMark2001!

More people with this problem:

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13828

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.amdforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189783&perpage=15&pagenumber=1">http://www.amdforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189783&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
</a>
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=558601

I know this test doesn't count towards your "score", but check anyway. The scores suck with this combo when compared to just about any other mobo. If you don't think this matters, check out any Doom3 preview. Mega bump mapping is coming our way.

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On my old 8kha+ I got:

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Environment Bump Mapping 217.2 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 203.6 FPS

At that time, the modded 9700 was overclocked to 318 / 297.
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NOW, after I got my 8RDA+, I was able to overclock the 9500 > 9700 a lot more because of the fixed AGP bus. It now sits at 370 / 297. My CPU was also pushed up to 1900 MHz along with a 190 FSB. Both a lot higher than before. The bump mapping scores should go up, right? Unfortunately, my bump mapping scores have tanked with the new mobo:

___________________________

Environment Bump Mapping 155.5 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 208.6 FPS
___________________________

Help?

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

How many current PC games utilize EMBM anyway?

 

[aldamon]

Doom 3 will use extensive bump mapping, hence our concern.

 

[IBdaMac]

Yeah, I had the epox 8kha+ and I had:

Environment Bump Mapping 199.2 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 190.6 FPS


to the a7n8x with:

Environment Bump Mapping 150.2 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 230.6 FPS

 

[bunnyfubbles]

You gain with DOT3 but lose with Environment, doesn't seem like a huge concern to me, probably just a driver issue. Why freak out over something like this? People care far too much about 3D Mark, imo.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
You gain with DOT3 but lose with Environment, doesn't seem like a huge concern to me, probably just a driver issue. Why freak out over something like this? People care far too much about 3D Mark, imo.

Thanks but I value my 3DMark results more than your opinion.

 

[PliotronX]

Originally posted by: aldamon

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
You gain with DOT3 but lose with Environment, doesn't seem like a huge concern to me, probably just a driver issue. Why freak out over something like this? People care far too much about 3D Mark, imo.

Thanks but I value my 3DMark results more than your opinion.

3DMark is such an awesome game!!!

 

[Spicedaddy]

Environment Bump Mapping 201.5 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 254.9 FPS


9700 Pro @ 395/345 on a P4B266 with P4 @ 2.24

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: PliotronX

Originally posted by: aldamon

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
You gain with DOT3 but lose with Environment, doesn't seem like a huge concern to me, probably just a driver issue. Why freak out over something like this? People care far too much about 3D Mark, imo.

Thanks but I value my 3DMark results more than your opinion.

3DMark is such an awesome game!!!

Guys, we're seriously trying to track down the culprit. No, 3DMark is not a game, but I assure you Doom 3 IS and it uses Environment Bump Mapping extensively. Do I have to keep typing this or will everyone understand now?

 

[sash1]

Oh yes, because results for a game that isn't even out yet matter so much. Jeez, stop complaining, I'm sure when Doom III is actually released this will all be solved.

"Thanks but I value my 3DMark results more than your opinion."

Wow... IMO, thats pretty low. 3DMark is an extremely dumb benchmark that people put too much faith into.

 

[aldamon]

AnandTech arrogance strikes again. I guess the FS / FT and Hot Deals forums really ARE the only useful places around here....

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: aldamon
AnandTech arrogance strikes again. I guess the FS / FT and Hot Deals forums really ARE the only useful places around here....

Please ignore their automatic ignorant replies. It seems most people here read the comment "3dmark is a valuable benchmark" and immediately crap their pants.

I totally understand your concern and it's totally warranted. This is an advanced warning that future games, especially Doom 3, will not perform up to par with this combo (hence 3dmark's usefulness for the neffers above).

I'm also curious about this issue; it seems to make no sense. I'm at home right now, but on Sunday I will be back at school and I'll test my Athlon 1.9 GHz w/ Epox 8K5A2+ and GF4 Ti4200 @300/600. I'm curious to see how the GF does in comparaison, and with the KT333.

Edit: oh yeah see if you can run the card at AGP 4X in your BIOS. This seriously sounds like an issue with the 9700 and AGP 8X. Even 2X AGP might give you a better score (check).

 

[jiffylube1024]

I just got another idea - maybe it's DX9 that's the problem? Try testing with DX8/9 if you can.