The press was saying words about how you can get 30 to 50% performance increase with this new driver release. I was thinking, well, okay, let's shoot for 15 to 30% already and I'll be happy. So, how did it go ?
To start, here is the configuration of the two computers I use, Sharok and Falmir :
| Element | Sharok | Falmir |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Athlon 1Ghz (K7B) | Intel Pentium III 450 |
| Bus speed | 200Mhz DDR | 100Mhz |
| Video Card | GeForce 2 GTS (64Mb) | GeForce 2 GTS (32Mb) |
| RAM | 256Mb PC133 | 192Mb PC100 |
I first installed 3DMark 2001 on both computers to do a rather complete benchmark.
Then, I did the upgrade of the graphics driver.
Finally, I used 3DMark 2001 to do another benchmark.
The settings for the benchmark are as follows :
| Criteria | Setting |
|---|---|
| Tests | All |
| Resolution | 1024 by 768 |
| Color Depth | 32 bit |
| Buffer | Double |
| Z-Buffer | 24 bit |
| Anisotropic | Disabled |
| Textures | Compressed |
During the final benchmark (after the DetXP install), I noted the following on Falmir :
The truck race in Low Detail was fluid and looking good, FPS max was 47, min around 13. In High Detail, the race was bogged down and unplayable (FPS between 4 and 17).
The dragon scene in Low Detail was also fluid (FPS 22-47), High Detail (FPS 7-13) was not so obviously unplayable, just rather slow-motion like but a bit choppy nonetheless.
The Matrix scene in Low Detail starts out nicely at 60 FPS, but gets bogged down to 30 before the end. In High Detail we have the same favorable start, albeit at only 24, and ends at 10 but still rather fluid and not too choppy. The last part of the scene is around 18 FPS.
The Dragon Park in Low Detail is nice and fluid, with wonderful reflections from the glass floor. In High Detail it is a choppy business, even if individual frames look good.
Running the tests with Triple buffer did not change the results visually, and the final score of 1638 is worse than the 1670 result
As for Sharok, the higher CPU power and better memory score made all High Detail scenes very nice and quite fluid, save the Dragon Park with eight lights which was quite choppy, much to my disappointment.
| Machine | Before | After | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falmir | 1320 | 1670 | +26,51% |
| Sharok | 2250 | 3160 | +40,44% |
Well, I must admit that was hardly expecting a 40% increase ! So I tested Quake III in 1280 by 1024 mode with seven bots. It was quite fluid.
I guess that means that the Detonator XP driver is a must-have.