Is this 3DMark06 Score low for a GTX?

[RandomGuy]

My setup:-

Vista 32-bit Home Premium
E6600 @ Stock (2.4 GHz)
2 GB Corsair TwinX Dominator C4 RAM (PC6400)
163.69 WHQL drivers

3DMark Score 9853 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 4650 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 4867 Marks
CPU Score 1997 Marks

Everything is at stock. The card is a BFG 8800 GTX OC. What do you think?

[Schwarz]

You are running vista...
With XP you`d get around 12 13 000

[zachig]

I personally think it's a bit low...:frown:

I'm running my Leadtek 8800GTX (non-overclocked) on Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit with E6600 (@3.0GHz) and I'm getting around ~12K. :grin:

So I think that you should get at least 11K if you're running both your Video Card and CPU at "stock" levels...:???:

Did you try with "older" driver versions???

Which PSU do you have?

[Xero (1)ne]

I think that the range is a bit exagerated.

I experienced only about 200 points difference in Vista from XP. In fact my highest score I achieved was run while using Vista.

Zachig, the reason I think you're getting such a higher score is mainly because of your CPU being 600MHz faster. 3DMark06 benefits the most from CPU. Not to mention that RAM also plays an important role. What do you get on your individual scores? Comparing tests that mainly apply to the video card would be a more accurate way to tell if the card is running at par.

I'm sure your score is fine for your machine. Just for your comfort though you can check to see how it did compared to three other machines that match yours on the webpage after you upload your test results.

If you REALLY want to know you could overclock your CPU to 3.0GHz and see what you get then. :-D

[Schwarz]

I`m not exagerating.
Ill run 3dmark when I get home to show you guys.
I get 149** something i`ll get the link from 3dmark with xp and then upload the one I will run on vista
Youll see its discusting
I cant access futurmarks website from work but you`ll see...

[zachig]

I think that the range is a bit exagerated.

I experienced only about 200 points difference in Vista from XP. In fact my highest score I achieved was run while using Vista.

Zachig, the reason I think you're getting such a higher score is mainly because of your CPU being 600MHz faster. 3DMark06 benefits the most from CPU. Not to mention that RAM also plays an important role.

I'm sure your score is fine for your machine. Just for your comfort though you can check to see how it did compared to three other machines that match yours on the webpage after you upload your test results.

If you REALLY want to know you could overclock your CPU to 3.0GHz and see what you get then. :-D
Yeah, I guess you're right...;-)

I totally forgot what my score was when I ran it at stock, as it was long time ago, and I already got used to it running @3.0Ghz, so for me, running it 24/7 @3.0Ghz, is like running it @stock. :lol:

[the_dope_chaud]

yeah, really, who here runs a c2d @ stock? I consider 3 gigs stock for my e6600 too !

[zachig]

yeah, really, who here runs a c2d @ stock?
Yeah...hehehe :icon_tiphat: I guess you're right...;-)
I consider 3 gigs stock for my e6600 too !
I used to run my E6600 @3.26Ghz 24/7, but if you remember the "nvlddmkm" errors I had in Vista, since then, I lowered my overclock to 3.0Ghz (as long as many other things I did) in order to solve the problem and surprisingly, the problem went away. :grin:

Now, I'm not sure whether I solved the problem by lowering the Overclock, lowering voltages (of both Vcore and NorthBridge) and/or lowering the speed of my RAM from 800Mhz to 667Mhz, since I did ALL-IN-ONCE. :-?

But... I decided to keep my CPU @3.0GHz, right after I solved my problem, as I want to be safe 24/7, so I also consider my "light" overclock as "almost-stock", mainly after getting used to run it at higher clocks...:lol:

[RandomGuy]

Comparing to other results, I am on the lowest end of the scale with similar configurations to mine (placed about 118 out of 137).

I am baffled. I just wanted to know if the score seemed normal to you guys (who have a lot more experience)...

[sushrukh]

Do you know that,what's the OS that those other machines were using ? In Vista, you'll get scores inferior than XP but what you got in Vista is not normal.In my opinion, it's lower than normal & you should have got 10500-11000 in Vista.

You can try the FM certified 162.22 driver from here :- http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_162.22.html

I know that you are using the 163.69 version but that isn't yet certified by the Future Mark Corporation.So,you should always use the latest FM approved driver when you run any 3DMark benchmarks to get the most reliable results.Hope, that answers your question my friend & did i say welcome to our forums ? :)

[darkorb]

i think its 100% the cpu being clocked @ stock. if u hit 3ghz, ur score will jump alot, since the CPU score will increase, and since the GTX is being bottlnecked that score will also increased. i noticed this with my X2 and my GTS

[RandomGuy]

Thanks a lot for all the help guys, and also for the welcome message from sushrukh :grin:

Nice to meet all of you. Anyhow, I am stuck with this card, and having moved up from an 8800 GTS, although not overly impressed, I am pleased with the choice.

My major game purchase for the next few years will be UT 3. My system should be able to handle it at reasonable settings (And even better when I get round to OC'ing)....I know saying this might be tantamount to heresy - but, I don't really care much for Crysis atm.

[Xero (1)ne]

Yah I plan on getting UT3 also but for Linux in addition to Windows. I plan on pwning some of my console friends on my Linux box. ;-)

One thing that I also find to help score a lot is to close out of every possible thing before benchmarking. Setting the priority to high is also another good way to get a few more points. Running the benchmark over will also help a bit too. My highest score that I got was when I ran each test 50 times over (I left it running overnight).

Don't feel like your machine is lacking though, my cpu score is only 846 :lol:
Despite that though my box has continued to crunch through anything I've ever thrown at it. :-D

[RandomGuy]

Okay guys, extensive looking about led me to this set of benches (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2extreme-qx6850_5.html#sect1).

A preliminary look shows that my results are actually almost exactly what you would expect. Any thoughts?

[zachig]

Okay guys, extensive looking about led me to this set of benches (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2extreme-qx6850_5.html#sect1).

A preliminary look shows that my results are actually almost exactly what you would expect. Any thoughts?
So...that just proves that you're getting exactly what you should get! ;-) as you're pretty close to 9907 Pts...

I totally forgot that this is what you should get when you're running both your CPU and Video Card at stock levels, as like I already said, I'm already used to run my system 24/7 overclocked @3.0Ghz and it seems that those addional +600Mhz add A LOT to the overall score of 3DMark06. :-D

So...if you really want to improve your 3DMark score without risking your hardware too much, you can slightly overclock your CPU, for example to 3.0Ghz like mine...and believe me, it's soooo easy and it's a pretty moderate overclock that doesn't risk anything...but hey, it's your choise, whether or not you want to start overclocking...or keep your system at stock! ;-)

Anyway, if you need help in overclocking your CPU, don't hesitate to ask, as I'll be glad to help, as any other member here at Bjorn3D forums! :icon_tiphat:

[RandomGuy]

So...that just proves that you're getting exactly what you should get! ;-) as you're pretty close to 9907 Pts...

I totally forgot that this is what you should get when you're running both your CPU and Video Card at stock levels, as like I already said, I'm already used to run my system 24/7 overclocked @3.0Ghz and it seems that those addional +600Mhz add A LOT to the overall score of 3DMark06. :-D

So...if you really want to improve your 3DMark score without risking your hardware too much, you can slightly overclock your CPU, for example to 3.0Ghz like mine...and believe me, it's soooo easy and it's a pretty moderate overclock that doesn't risk anything...but hey, it's your choise, whether or not you want to start overclocking...or keep your system at stock! ;-)

Anyway, if you need help in overclocking your CPU, don't hesitate to ask, as I'll be glad to help, as any other member here at Bjorn3D forums! :icon_tiphat:

Thanks a lot for the advice zachig. I actually have posted here (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18263) for overclocking tips. I also printed out an Nforce 680i Overclocking Technical sheet from the Nvidia home page. I will give it a shot tonight and let you know how it goes. If you have any tips, pls post back on that thread. :grin:

[zachig]

Thanks a lot for the advice zachig. I actually have posted here (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18263) for overclocking tips. I also printed out an Nforce 680i Overclocking Technical sheet from the Nvidia home page. I will give it a shot tonight and let you know how it goes. If you have any tips, pls post back on that thread. :grin:
You're welcome! :icon_tiphat:

I've just posted my tips and remarks in the other thread you've opened (according to the link you provided) and I hope it'll help you to start overclocking your E6600 CPU. :grin:

Remember! Start overclocking slowly (and 3Ghz=9x333) is a good start, while upping your Vcore a bit and keeping your NB Voltage at 1.39V and only if you won't be stable enough, only then try upping your NB voltage a bit more. ;-)

GOOD LUCK and keep us updated...:lol:

After we'll see your first overclocking results and how far you got, we'll be able to help more (if needed at all).

I'm pretty sure you'll find that overclocking your CPU is easy and also includes a lot of fun! :grin:

[Schwarz]

And that proves that I know what i'm talking about :)
Vista takes a lot of your points away more then you woudl think.

[Ranzear]

Drivers are having the biggest impact in Vista. I picked up 2k going from 162.xx to 163.xx but lost it when I went to 163.67.

[RandomGuy]

Okay guys,

I succesfully overclocked my E6600 to 3 GHz and re-ran 3D Mark 06. Here are my scores: -

3DMark Score 10930 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 5068 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 5075 Marks
CPU Score 2455 Marks

All I could say was "OMG!". Compare this to my initial (stock) speeds:-

3DMark Score 9853 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 4650 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 4867 Marks
CPU Score 1997 Marks

[zachig]

WELL DONE!!! You did it!!! I told you it would be easy...:lol:

Keep us updated in case you plan more tweaking and/or higher overclocks...;-)

[sushrukh]

Congrats on achieving what you wished to get Randomguy. :)

[RandomGuy]

Thanks guys :smile:

I have another question. Do I have to change the RAM Divider so that the RAM speed runs at 1:1???