The anatomy of the upgrade - 3DMark06 scores

[JustaGeek]

The overall 3DMark06 synthetic test results might be a little misleading, since they are CPU dependent, and might not represent the actual increase in gaming performance.

I decided to post my results with both eVGA 7950GT SC (600/725) and the new BFG 8800 GT OC (625/900).

The CPU score remains virtually identical, but if you look at the frame rate of the feature tests, the difference is incredible. The new 8800GT frame rates are over 2 times greater than my old 7950GT!

BTW, Crysis with everything on High, "observed" in-game frame rate is generally around 30FPS, dropping to "high teens" at times, but very playable nevertheless.


Graphics Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT Superclocked
Graphics Card Vendor eVGA
Driver Name NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT
Driver Version 6.14.11.6901
Driver Status Non WHQL - Not FM Approved
Linked display adapters No
Video Memory 512 MB
Core Clock 621 MHz
Memory Clock 722 MHz

Main Test Results

3DMark Score 5968 3DMarks

SM 2.0 Score 2379 Marks

SM 3.0 Score 2327 Marks

CPU Score 2603 Marks



Detailed Test Results


Graphics Tests
1 - Return to Proxycon 19.245 FPS

2 - Firefly Forest 20.402 FPS



CPU Tests
CPU1 - Red Valley 0.822 FPS

CPU2 - Red Valley 1.319 FPS



HDR Tests
1 - Canyon Flight (SM 3.0) 20.981 FPS

2 - Deep Freeze (SM 3.0) 25.55 FPS
___________________________________________


Graphics Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Graphics Card Vendor BFG Tech
Driver Name NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Driver Version 6.14.11.6904
Driver Status Non WHQL - Not FM Approved
Linked display adapters No
Video Memory 512 MB
Core Clock 625MHz
Memory Clock 900MHz


Main Test Results

3DMark Score 11611 3DMarks (vs. 5968)

SM 2.0 Score 5478 Marks (vs. 2379)

SM 3.0 Score 5260 Marks (vs. 2327)

CPU Score 2632 Marks (vs. 2603)



Detailed Test Results


Graphics Tests

1 - Return to Proxycon 44.897 FPS (vs. 19.245)

2 - Firefly Forest 46.41 FPS (vs. 20.402)



CPU Tests

CPU1 - Red Valley 0.83 FPS (vs. 0.822)

CPU2 - Red Valley 1.335 FPS (vs. 1.319)



HDR Tests

1 - Canyon Flight (SM 3.0) 50.332 FPS (vs. 20.981)

2 - Deep Freeze (SM 3.0) 54.861 FPS (vs. 25.55)

 

[Wreckage]

I have almost the identical system. Now I just need to upgrade my 7950GT. I do have another 2GB of ram on the way.

 

[taltamir]

3dmark? more like CPU mark... pair any current gen video card with 3dmark06 and you get a fairly good benchmark of your CPU instead of your graphics card. (obviously a better graphic card inproves the score, but not nearly as much as a better CPU does)

 

[conlan]

Yup, it's been a nice upgrade from my X1950XT, which is similar to your 7950GT

System:

Abit IP35-E
C2D E4400 @ 3.0gHz
2 x 1 Crucial B DDR2-800
eVGA 8800GT SuperClock @ stock speeds
BenQ FP93G X @ 1280 x 1024


3DMark 2006: 6205 > 11764

3DMark 2005: 11960 > 17492

3DMark 2003: 20314 > 37759

More importantly than benchmarks, Crysis Demo plays on High, and BF2 runs smooth as glass w/ everything maxxed.

 

[adlep]

Thanks for this. I have exactly the same video card (EVGA7950GT) that is in the process of being replaced by the 8800GT. I wasn't sure if the upgrade will make that much of a difference, but I guess the fps gains will be huge!


Edit: Looking at the rig's sects in your SIG, I see even more similarities:
3 GB of GSKILL RAM, XP, 650i based mobo (I have MSI P6N), and the same Seagate 7200.10 Perpetual Recording Tech friken hard drive. My C2D though is just an Allendale E4300 @ 2.4 GHz.
Anyhow, your benchmarks are very important for me. Thanks.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: taltamir
3dmark? more like CPU mark... pair any current gen video card with 3dmark06 and you get a fairly good benchmark of your CPU instead of your graphics card. (obviously a better graphic card inproves the score, but not nearly as much as a better CPU does)

Well, not really a "CPU mark" - that's why I wanted to emphasize the frame rate gains in feature tests. My CPU score actually hasn't changed.

People with Quads are scoring 13,000 - 14,000 in 3DMark06, but I am certain that the feature tests' frame rates are not much different from my Duo.

BTW, however inaccurate and "synthetic", using the same type of benchmark across a wide variety of platforms gives anyone a fairly good idea about their system's performance against different hardware configurations.

And in 3DMark06 the graphics card improves the score WAY more than the CPU. It is the 3DMark03 that is used to test the processors, and obviously the PCMark05 to test the overall performance of the system.

 

[taltamir]

tell me your FPS on max setting in any specific modern high end game and the manufacturer of your video card and I will know what your performance level is more clearly then by the 3dmark score.

But it is nice to have higher numbers then the other guy

 

[james1701]

It is a good feeling when you run 3dmark06 and read under the analisis that you are in the top 2% of systems tested or rather better than 98% of other systems tested.

 

[JustaGeek]

Additional info and benchmarks - posted by Toadster here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...TMP=Linear&#lastunread

FYI, his system:

Core 2 Extreme QX6800 @ 2.93Ghz
EVGA 680i SLI 122-CK-NF68 Mobo
2x EVGA 8800GTX 768MB in SLI
4GB Patriot PC2-5400
3x500GB Hitachi RAID5
Zalman CNPS9500 Cooler
ETASIS 850W SLI P/S
Antec P182 Case
Soyo 24" 1920x1200 Display
Vista64 Ultimate

His 3DMark06 score:

3DMark Score 13092 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 5354 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 5703 Marks
CPU Score 4033 Marks

My scores:

3DMark Score 11611 3DMarks (vs. 5968)
SM 2.0 Score 5478 Marks (vs. 2379)
SM 3.0 Score 5260 Marks (vs. 2327)
CPU Score 2632 Marks (vs. 2603)



Not too much difference, and that with the Quad and 8800GTX SLI!

 

[conlan]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Additional info and benchmarks - posted by Toadster here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...TMP=Linear&#lastunread

FYI, his system:

Core 2 Extreme QX6800 @ 2.93Ghz
EVGA 680i SLI 122-CK-NF68 Mobo
2x EVGA 8800GTX 768MB in SLI
4GB Patriot PC2-5400
3x500GB Hitachi RAID5
Zalman CNPS9500 Cooler
ETASIS 850W SLI P/S
Antec P182 Case
Soyo 24" 1920x1200 Display
Vista64 Ultimate

His 3DMark06 score:

3DMark Score 13092 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 5354 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 5703 Marks
CPU Score 4033 Marks

My scores:

3DMark Score 11611 3DMarks (vs. 5968)
SM 2.0 Score 5478 Marks (vs. 2379)
SM 3.0 Score 5260 Marks (vs. 2327)
CPU Score 2632 Marks (vs. 2603)



Not too much difference, and that with the Quad and 8800GTX SLI!

Nice to know, although i'm sure at high resolutions w/ settings maxxed the GTX SLI would spank a single 8800GT.

I'd like to see how a GT SLI setup would compare.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: conlan
I'd like to see how a GT SLI setup would compare.

I am so tempted myself...

And I have the MB supporting SLI... although only 2 x PCIe x8, as opposed to x16 in the single mode.

If the BFG cards at Best Buy or CompUSA drop below $200, I will probably do it!

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: conlan
I'd like to see how a GT SLI setup would compare.

I am so tempted myself...

And I have the MB supporting SLI... although only 2 x PCIe x8, as opposed to x16 in the single mode.

If the BFG cards at Best Buy or CompUSA drop below $200, I will probably do it!

Got mine price adjusted to 219.99 with the 12% coupon today. Started off at 279, ended up today at 219. Can't hardly beat that.

 

[qquizz]

Hi, for reference here is my 3DMark06 on a system I built about 2 months ago:

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=3905488

3dMark06 score: 12679

Mobo: Asus P5N32-E SLI - PLUS (hybrid chipset featured on AT a few months ago)

CPU: Core2Duo e6850 @ 3.6ghz (9 x 400 MHz FSB, (or 1600 MHz quad pumped))

Heastsink: Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme (huge!, but best air cooling solution in the world for o/c. I've practically stopped watching my cpu temps, it is an non-issue)

Vid Card: Single evga 8800gtx single @ 620/990 MHz, NV Drivers 163.75 (8800gt prolly better value for most)

RAM: 2GB Mushkin Redline XP2-8000 @1066 MHz (PC2 8500), 4-5-4-11, cmd rate 2T

HDD: 150GB Wester Digital Raptor (i get into multiplayer games usually first)

PSU: Power PC & Cooling Silencer 750 QUAD (speaks for itself)

Case: Antec P182

OS: XP SP2 32bit (Vista 32bit gives scores about 3% lower on this system)

Monitor: Dell 2407WFP LCD Widescreen **this is sweet**

stable overclock, ram 2.3v in BIOS, cpu 1.4875v per NV Monitor.
No this system is not maxed out. there is no doubt that I can pass a 13000 score, but really have had no need to push it any more for now. don't want to take any chances right now with a ~$2000 system (not incl. monitor).
btw this mobo is pretty good, but beginners should look elsewhere.

 

[JustaGeek]

Bump - since more people own the 8800GT's, and new threads start to pop up.