Is this ok?

I downloaded 3d mark 2006 basic version. Just kept with the initial default settings 1280 x 1024. Got score of 10244. System is core 2 duo 2.4 ghz & sli 8800 gtx. Is the score what I should expect out of this system, I hope so as it got cost me an arm & a leg. Also noticed the cpu tests performed like garbage, like 0/1 fps whilst graphics tests where fine & smooth.

thanks in advance

 

The CPU test is always like that but SLI with GTX should be better, i seen people hit 13500 with no clocks

 

Ok thanks for the response. That's a bit dissapointing then. I benchmarked again and got 10700, so nowhere near the 13500 that others have got!!!

 

Try Updating your Video Card Driver.

EDIT: How much RAM do you have?

 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile...rk-List.844.0.html?&or=&search=&sort=3dmark06

here you will see your card on 13.5k. Could have been clocked though, another guy on the forum gets little over 12k with this XPS on 2,8 GHz. You get low because of your CPU. Because of the stupid CPU test on 3Dmark affect your overall scores.

In games you will however do just as good as them

 

I thought CPU had neglieable effect on the score, especially from a T7700 -> X7900, the score should be what? 2000->2100?

 

I am in agreement with JCMS. The CPU won't affect the score by 3000 points. Especially not when going from a T7700 to X7900. The T7700 is plenty powerful.

 

I feel the score is really low when a single GTX pulls around 9300 points. A guys desktop pulls 18k with GTX SLI

 

The desktop version is much more powerful than the mobile version.

 

yes i know and the guy also runs on a 3,8 GHz with overclocked cards hehe. Anyway i think the scores are a little bit low compared to a single GTX in a laptop but am sure you wont be affected in games

 

Yes, I agree that his score is a little low considering that a single 8800m GTX can get close to 10k.

 

You really need to make sure you have the latest drivers.

Also, make sure your system is plugged in and running in "High Performance" mode when you run the 3dMark06 test.

Don't worry about the crappy CPU test, it is like that for everyone.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I think my driver version is 167.xxxx (can't remember exact numbers) so maybe that is the issue. Am very dissapointed at the 10700 score though. I may try enabling/disabling Sli to compare the scores & then update the drivers. If say I am unable to improve on 10,700 how would this affect a game like Crysis (or even Bioshock) which is ultra power hungry? I am aware it should still prob play okay but I am sure it can overwhelm even the most powerful of systems at times.

 

That score doesn't matter if you can run all your games pretty smoothly. Remember that's just a benchmark. Real, in-game results are the ones that matter.

Anyway, be sure:
- no other programs running while running 3dMark06
- you have the best drivers for 8800M GTX SLi [I'm not really sure which one, just ask other users with the same cards as yours]
- your power settings are NOT on Balanced. Try Maximum Performance [or whatever similar-sounding setting you have there].
- you're plugged in and running on AC power.

 

Will do. Wish I was at home so I can get cracking on it! This prob does not make a difference but I thought I would check. I am running the basic version of 3d Mark 2006 which only gives me access to a few of the tests.

 

Ok. Changed from dell balanced profile to high performnce. only gained 100 so now 10800 on 3dmark 06. Admittedly have not updated drivers yet. Then changed via nvidia control panel to single gpu & ran test again. Got approx 8900 3dmark 06 marks whch seems fine. So Sli mode i think is not doing it as by enabling it only increases by approx 2000 to 10800. Is it because it is mobile 8800 gtx i am getting this?

 

I think the drivers will make a fairly substantial difference in your case because the supplied driver isn't that great for the 8800m GTX. A single 8800m GTX should be getting around 9-10k 3DMark06.

 

Ok thanks. What is the recommended nvidia driver at the moment? There are so many versions floating about. Mine is 167.xxx (can't remember the exact number but def 167). I think laptopvideo2go in their download list for vista has drivers 169.09 as the latest available to download. Should I go for these?

Thanks in advance

 

If you go to their forums, you'll be able to download many more drivers.

The latest, 174.12 has mixed reviews for the 8800m GTX. See this thread for more info. I'd try it and see if it improves your score/in-game performance.

Otherwise, the 167.43 (which might be what you have right now) seems ok for the 8800m GTX. Since it's a new card, good drivers for it haven't come out yet. In a month or two you should see better drivers being released from NVidia.