9600XT wierdness on FFXI Benchmark

[GFBeach]

I used to have an 8500LE video card, and when I ran the FFXI benchmark my scores were about 3300 in low-res mode and around 2600 in high-res mode. I've upgraded to a 9600XT and while the actual game unquestionably runs better, my benchmark scores haven't improved at all. At first I thought it was because I had AntiAliasing and Aniscoptic Filtering enabled, but when I checked the display control panel they were both set to 'application preference'. Does this mean it's turned off?

While all that really matters is real-game performance, I would like to see how this card really works under benchmark. My system stats are as follows:

Athlon 1800+
256mb RAM (planning on adding more)
300 watt PSU (upgrading to a 400 watt soon)
ASUS 9600XT with VIVO

Any ideas why my benchmark scores didn't change at all?

 

[Pete]

The benchmark is probably CPU-limited, and that XP1800+ is no spring chicken. As for the actual game, I assume you can and did choose a resolution higher than whatever low one the benchmark uses?

 

[GFBeach]

After trying to tweak the hell out of this thing (and failing, I might add -_-;;; ) I agree: the game is probably CPU-heavy. I'm able to get pretty good benchmark results on UT2K3: ~105 on Flyby and ~35 on Botmatch, which I think is about what I SHOULD be getting considering my CPU and RAM after doing some research and looking up other benchmark scores on the web.

I'm able to configure the game settings if I need to. The game does run pretty smoothly at 1024x768. My motherboard can handle up to an Athlon 2600+ (266 system bus version), so I'll probably look into that soon as well as adding more RAM.

EDIT: I made a goof; my motherboard can only support up to the 2100+. Oh well.

 

[JH68]

Do you like the 9600xt?

 

[GFBeach]

I've only had it a few days, but I'm really enjoying it so far. Pretty quick, stable, and the ASUS model comes with VIVO and a good software package. I had problems with the ATI Catalyst 3.9 drivers, so I'd stick with the ASUS revisions though. While the FFXI results are less than I expected (probably because my CPU is dated), other games are running really really well. The UT2K3 benchmark scores are practically doubled compared to how they were on my old 8500LE.

 

[Ray5150Ray]

what problems are you having with the 3.9 cats. I have non. Are you o/cing, if so where are sitting?

 

[GFBeach]

The problems with the 3.9 were kind of wierd. When you right-click or open any kind of menu, the system really goes slowly with the fade-in effect. I didn't want to try my luck with game benchmarks, so I bumped back to the ASUS drivers immediately. My card wasn't overclocked.

 

[JH68]

Yea im debating on getting the asus 9600xt or the 9800xt. I was just worried the 9600xt wont last me awhile since its only 4 pipelines and the 9800xt is 8 pipelines to send more data. I want something that will last some time where i dont have to upgrade in half a year. So i am really torn on what to do.

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Rig

 

[GFBeach]

If you want top performance then by all means go with a 9800XT, but you're gonna pay for it in terms of price. >_< I really like my 9600XT but I hear that price-for-performance the best deal these days is a Geforce 5900 non-ultra. I chose my 9600XT over the 5900 because of the software bundle, VIVO, and because I don't think my power supply would have enough juice; I'd have to turn right around and buy a new power supply, and I can't really afford to do that right this second. ^_^;