Programs and processes that affect 3DMark06...

Hi all,

Quite new to this benchmarking stuff really... and I was just wondering what programs or processes need to be off or shut down in order to obtain the best scores on 3DMark06 and 3DMark06 Vantage?

I am just in the middle of downloading the Basic version of 3DMark06, and I have just purchased the Basic version of Vantage (for a small fee). I will run the original Direct X9 version before Vantage though.

Please let me know how best to run these two benchmarking programs ASAP as I am itching to look at some scores!

I have no idea what I should be scoring, but when I ran a 3DMark program years and years ago on an old PC, I remember the whole process being quite pretty even if I didn't understand my score.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I just turn off everything I can in Task Manager, as long as it runs under Administrator. If you turn off something in system, the computer shuts down. Under processes in Task Manager, you can have a "Description" column so you know which process you can turn off. Just don't touch explorer, rundll32 and dwm.exe.

3dmark Vantage is the most recent benchmarking tool, but I've been used to 3dmark06 for a long time.

 

i dont stop anything running in the background so you should get scores a fraction better than mine 3Dmark06 (1) 9223 (2) 9226 & 3Dmark Vantage P3987

dont forget to post your scores HERE and then i will update them to HERE for everyone to compare.

 

Are you all posting results from 3DMark06 and 3DMark Vantage on their default settings?

 

most people are but some are also overclocking and updating bios.
if you look at the results and it doesnt say anything then the scores posted are the default.

 

i turn off nothing and run what ever is running with the system. i tested it all sorts of ways and found that as long as your windows search and windows prefetch are not running when benching. your fine. and for those with mcafee & norton..lol...you got issues! i would pause them for sure.

 

Does Kaspersky harm it much?

 

not really, but some would say...that .1 percent counts against it.... for the sake of your testing..just put it to allow all or turn off.

 

When you all run the CPU tests, does it stutter badly and go between 0 and 1 fps? Or should they run smoothly like the GPU tests?

And should I be getting more than an average of 15fps on that first GPU test on Vantage about the super bond woman character? Jane something...?

 

ill let the experts answer that one Nat. so what scores are you getting.

ive got an issue with 3dmark06 now.
its the 3rd time ive run it in the last month and im getting a blue screen of death every time. its the pro version. i checked for an update for it the first time it blue screened but it said this version is no longer in use or compatable.
any ideas???

 

Yea the CPU tests are really intensive. A Slideshow is normal.

 

The CPU test #2 is around 8 OPS (operations per second), the #1 go smoothly. Both GPU tests are around 5-15.

My result:

I don't get how Chaz got a higher score ( http://www.notebookreview.com/picture.asp?f=36572). I ran the test twice with the same result.

 

your link isn't working. and also depends on what drivers and system settings you are using.

you would need like 4 to 20 cpus before that test will run like a gpu test. a gpu has way more sp's than a cpu with quad core=4 & dual quad's=8. a server can have up to 64 cores making it run like a 9800m gts/8800m gts, but we have yet to see some one run this test to be sure though.

what screen does it start to blue screen at?
and your version should be adv or pro edition 1.1.0 if im not mistaken.

 

it goes black screen for 2 seconds as its starting up and then 3dmark06 opening screen in centre and then 4-5 seconds later it blue screens.

 

driver version
3dmark06 version
physx version
have you ran a chkdsk on your system as well?

 

nope, will do though when i get a chance.

 

The GPU score is the same. Its only he CPU test #2 that has a big difference: http://www.notebookreview.com/picture.asp?f=36572

 

ran chkdsk but how do i view the result?

3Dmark06 version 1.0.2.0 which is old
i remember the last time it actually ran i tried to save the scores and a eror box said this version is not supported.
think ill just go back to the free version.

 

My scores:

3DMark06 1st run = 9247
SM2.0 = 4281
HDR/SM3.0 = 4002
CPU = 2304

3DMark06 2nd run = 9241
SM2.0 = 4250
HDR/SM3.0 = 4005
CPU = 2323

Vantage 1st run = P3989
GPU score = 3709
CPU score = 5156

GPU test 1: 10.32 fps
GPU Test 2: 11.43 fps
CPU Test 1: 687.04 Plans/s
CPU Test 2: 7.50 Steps/s
Feature Test 1: 334.55 Gtexels/s
Feature Test 2: 2.50 Gpixels/s
Feature Test 3: 9.09 fps
Feature Test 4: 10.44 fps
Feature Test 5: 17.24 fps
Feature Test 6: 17.11 fps



Vantage 2nd run = P3987
GPU score = 3706
CPU score = 5158

GPU test 1: 10.30 fps
GPU Test 2: 11.43 fps
CPU Test 1: 689.30 Plans/s
CPU Test 2: 7.45 Steps/s
Feature Test 1: 334.57 Gtexels/s
Feature Test 2: 2.50 Gpixels/s
Feature Test 3: 9.07 fps
Feature Test 4: 10.44 fps
Feature Test 5: 17.22 fps
Feature Test 6: 17.11 fps

 

Feel free to paste this result into your results thread, Mr. DJ. I wasn't sure whether we can do that or whether you have to. I think I read that you had disabled the post function?

P.S. Mr. DJ... why did you go for the Pro version of 3DMark06?

 

Maybe because there is more features: http://www.futuremark.com/benchmarks/3dmark06/buyit/.

@MrDJ: you should update the version to 1.1: http://www.futuremark.com/benchmarks/3dmark06/download/ or at http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4936

 

all you have to do is donload the hotfix and that should correct that for you.

this is stock no over clocking, correct?

 

ill post it for you tonight Nat.
its not disabled to post but once people start making their own posts then they get replys and thats when it starts getting messy.thought id try and keep it just purely for results for an easier read.

i did try when it first blue screened but it said unable to update,not compatable please run a newer version.

to be honnest i cant remember where i got it think it could of been courtesy of AW

 

then uninstall and run the demo to see if it crashes.
if you registered the aw version, then your license is stored at orb.
just download a copy from futuremark.com and insert your license and your good to go.

 

DOH!!!
now why didnt i think of that.
cheers johnksss

 

who knows, but as long as we get to a valid solution...that's all that really counts in the end....

 

will test it tonight when i get home and let you know how i get on.

 

sounds good mrdj

 

i reinstalled it and this time it worked. i got the full pro version. thanks for all your help and ideas.
highest score so far for me of 9248

 

yeah, well keep hanging around me and we'll be pushing that to 10.5 or so if i can help it

 

i wish. but im not an updater. ive had 4 computers now and none have had any bios or driver updates. im old skool and my philosphy is if it aint broke then dont try and fix it.
that score is tempting tho :0

 

always remember mrdj...you can try new drivers if you like...once your finished testing..then just revert back to your comfortable drivers. you don't have to uninstall them. and they will stay there on your computer..

and i use to live by the "if it aint broke don't fix it" but im to dammn nosy so i'll strip down a brand new computer just to see what's inside...*LOL*

 

I wouldn't know how to overclock to save my life. It's all stock with my drivers updated through my Driver Detective software.

I don't have Dox's drivers because I'm not sure whether I should trust "unofficial" drivers in a laptop I've paid loads for. Something always goes wrong for me!


So, were my scores okay? Or should they be better for my specs?

 

Your scores are just like mine, maybe a little higher.

 

they are right inline with a stock ran system.

 

spot on Nat, great scores for our spec.

 

Hey all... bit of an update. Installed the 176.75 official drivers from Kobalt computers and my 3dMark06 scores have shown an increase.
I did one run with Kaspersky Internet Security disabled and my wireless connection also disabled. The second run was with them both enabled (just to see if there's any difference made my Kaspersky being on and connected to the net).


3DMark06 first run with 176.75 drivers = 9260 (+13 on previous 1st run score) Kaspersky and wireless internet disabled

3DMark06 second run with 176.75 drivers = 9269 (+28 on previous 2nd run score) Kaspersky and wireless internet enabled


Vantage scores for me stayed exactly the same on this driver update as my last running (with or without Kaspersky and internet on).

 

have you got far cry 2 yet?
if so when you loaded it before you updated did you get the warning your drivers are out of date, and now youve got the newest drivers do you still get the message.

 

with or without that warning...the game still runs...but with the newer drivers...it should stop that nag screen.

 

Just an update for you all. I ran 3DMark06 after installing Nvida's new, official (finally!) laptop drivers (version 179.28).

My 3DMark06 score is now 9371 !!! That's a great improvement. +111 on my last score.


EDIT: Just ran Vantage, and I would say that 4696 is a great improvement on my last score of 3990 too. Difference of +706. The frames on the Vantage tests definitely ran faster, smoother, and more fluidly. I am really pleased with these new official drivers from Nvidia. I am definitely recommending them. (Now to get back to playing my favourite game ever... Left 4 Dead )

 

just noticed they are still beta drivers so cant post them on the kobalt site yet.

 

I also had the same improvements Official drivers worth it.

 

sorry Nat but they arent official yet. as they are beta they might be official to nvidia but not your supplier. thats why i cant post them on the kobalt forum yet.

 

Oh well... they improve the scores. Left 4 Dead hasn't crashed on me once since the new drivers. Getting pretty much no game freeze like before.

Are you all doing Vantage tests on "Performance" mode instead of "High"?

And what settings are you running 3DMark06 at?

 

vantage on performance mode
3dmark on default and 1920x1200

 

default 3dmark scores are usually done at the default settings of 1280 x 1024 and I have been using vantage on it's default settings as well...performance

 

Me too. I havent been doing them on anything higher than my native res, which is 1650 x 1050. I haven't even done it on native res either. I do everything on default settings (and 1280 x 1024).

 

well...now sounds like a good time to try your native res...since that's what everyone wants to play games at.... give it a try and see how ya do...