3dmark2006 score drops with every subsequent run

This is strange, but I did a fresh install of Windows Vista. Got all the proper drivers installed and ready to go. However, I noticed that my 3dmark06 scores have dropped.

I've made sure i'm set in full performance mode using rivatuner and power options are set to high performance. I'm using 169.04 drivers and my video card is not OC'ed and cpu is not undervolted.

Here is what happens...

If i run 3dmark06 the first time, i will get a score of 3600. When i run it again right after it finishes, i will get a score off 3350. If i run it the third time, it will give me a score of 3100. Also, i'm noticing a good performance hit during my games (for example, Quake Wars and C&C3).

Something strange is up that i'm overlooking. I've already redownloaded drivers and re-installed them, but no dice. My GPU and CPU temps look normal(even with high load) so I really can't figure out what is causing this. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Im thinking that the only explanation is that with every subsequent run, the GPU gets hotter and hotter, causing it to underclock itself in an attempt to cool itself down.

 

I have to agree with mckam826....running 3dmark over and over produces a lot of heat causing the score to be low. Try running 3dmark after shutting down the notebook and letting it cool down

 

You may have faulty hardware if the heat is making the GPU underclock, it should be able to handle 3dmark, I run it multiple times on my laptop after eachother and get very similar scores.

 

Usually if it underclocks, it isn't a gradual thing, it's a noticeable difference. If heat were really an issue, instead of running at 475MHz, it would drop 50 to 60%, not only a few %. Plus the OP said temps were normal.

Voodoofreak: what were your CPU and GPU temps maximum? Also, are you running on battery or with power connected?

 

Thats what I thought at first, but my temps are completely normal.

I used to be able to run 3dmark2006 over and over all the time before. I always averaged my 3dmark2006 scores with 3 subsequent runs to get a good idea of how well an OC was done.

48-52C (CPU) and 58-60C (GPU) at idle
77-84C (CPU) and 82-94C (GPU) at load

These temps are pretty normal for my G1s or has been ever since I got it. The very maximum i've ever pushed these temps out to is 90C (CPU) when running the undervolting test at normal volts for 20 minutes, and 98C (GPU) when overclocking it at 575/790.

I just finished running three sessions of 3dmark06 again with scores 3965,3931 and 3852. It seems somewhat stable now, so I'm stumped! I'm going to try out my games later, but this is somewhat concerning me...lol. Thanks for the responses everyone, I appreciate the input.