Advanced Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2: The Threat
By
combining DirectX8 support with completely new graphics, 3DMark2001 SE continues
to provide a good overall system benchmark. 3DMark2001SE has been created in
cooperation with the major 3D accelerator and processor manufacturers to provide
a reliable set of diagnostic tools. The suite demonstrates 3D gaming performance
by using real-world gaming technology to test a system's true performance
abilities. Tests include: DirectX8 Vertex Shaders, Pixel Shaders and Point
Sprites, DOT3 and Environment Mapped Bump Mapping, support for Full Scene
Anti-aliasing and Texture Compression and two game tests using Ipion real-time
physics.
Higher
numbers denote better performance.
These AA/AF tests in 3DMark2001 seem quite odd but we
reran the tests a few times with the same results! Possibly the x16AF mode was
not working correctly with the drivers. In any case, the ATi Radeon X800 XL
performs very nicely here.
A
completely rewritten 3D engine based on DirectX8 encompasses many visual effects
such as volumetric Nebulae (gas clouds) that have a real impact in the game (you
can hide in them) and many new engine, shield, weapon and explosion effects.
Objects cast real dynamic 3D shadows! Dynamic DP3 bump mapping allows a
previously unseen level of detail.
Here we see the ATi Radeon X800 XL perform well with
everything turned up. There's less than 20FPS difference between the top and
bottom scores.
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3DMark2001SE
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