Why is my 3DMark2001 SE score this low?

[Gameboy999]

I only get a 8040 in 3DMark2001 SE but I have seen systems with similiar specs go over 10k-11k. I get 12,716 in 3D Mark 2000.

MadOnion Link

p4 1.8@2.56ghz
Asus P4S533
Samsung 2700 512mb
WD 80gb SE/Quantum 30gb
Chaintech ti4200 128mb@ 300/530


Thanks

 

[Deeko]

Do you have all the latest drivers? Are you running 3DMark with FSAA turned on? How are your framerates in GAMES, since that's what really matters?

 

[Gameboy999]

I have all the newest drivers. No FSAA. Framerates in games are fine, but I dont understand the huge discrepency between the 3DMark of my system compared to similiar ones. Something is not right, especially in the "Vertex Shader" test where I only get 14 FPS but have seen other setups almost identical to mine get ~50FPS. Other benchmarks are also a lot lower than they should be.

Thanks for the reply though

 

[Deeko]

Well, I've been sayin this since the 3DMark 2000 days, and no one seems to care Until you notice a problem in your games, I wouldn't worry about it, because it isn't like you sit and watch 3Dmark all day.

 

[Actaeon]

Wow Deeko, I havn't seen you here for a while. Where ya been?

 

[Deeko]

Oh, I've been around...kinda busy lately, so I've been limited to mostly just reading with limited posting posting here and in OT.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Hey buddy i got the same mobo as you and my processor is running at near the same speed (2320). Now i get 10,800 on the default benchmark with everything set to default settings. Without ocing my card i was hitting 9887. I enabled FASTWRITES, SBA, and oced my card to 285/550 and am now hitting 10,800 in WINXP. I can get my score up to 11,200 but that is only after tweaking the settings for fastest performance. I am also using the 29.42 drivers. You don't have to make vsync disabled because 3dmark already disables it for you. Also, make sure your fsaa is off and Aniso is off too.

 

[cali99boy]

yea,.. something is definitely up. My vertex shader is around 90+ fps and your is 14fps. I also beat your score by about 600 on my "slower computer".

Have you messed around with the detonators and system drivers?


My Score
http://service.madonion.com/compare?2k1=3797624

 

[Gameboy999]

How do I enable FASTWRITES, SBA ??
I haven't messed around with any of my drivers. I am running the benchmark with the default 3DMark settings. BTW, I'm at 2.7ghz now but with little improvement to my score

 

[AnAndAustin]

Obviously rem that the top scores in 3Dmark are from hideously o/c systems, prob mssive FSB o/c and water-cooling. You really want to look through the results for the more average results near the middle of the pack to get an idea of what your kit should do.

Essentially I would check all drivers, try deinstalling, run Detonator Destroyer and then reinstall either the latest official nVidia drivers or manu drivers, then reinstall DX8.1. After that try o/c your 4200, with 4.0ns you should get to 300/550 and any faster RAM should get to 300/600. Check your RAm settings and PCI bus dividers, ensure the PCI is at 33mhz+ (so AGP is 66mhz+) and that the RAM is using 333mhz AND the fastest (ie lowest) stable CL settings possible. If you have a load of crap in your system tray and background progs running this can all have an effect too. Just double check that you aren't forcing any settings via tweak tools or control panel as this could give an unrealistic score too. 8000 is still a nice mark, but you should definitely be over 10000 IMHO.

Although you don't sit there watching 3Dmark all day, it is very useful just for checking for any oddities perf-wise, as Gameboy999 has done.

 

[Gameboy999]

I think I fixed the problem. Turns out I had to install some VGA driver from my motherboard CD, so my score is now up to 10,600. I will never again underestimate the importance of drivers

 

[Deeko]

Although you don't sit there watching 3Dmark all day, it is very useful just for checking for any oddities perf-wise, as Gameboy999 has done.

Eh....thing is, until those oddities show up in your games, why worry about it? If all of your games are running top-notch, your 3DMark could be 500 and it wouldn't matter.