Question Regarding 3DMark06

Hey folks,

Just curious about this benchmark test and how accurate it is, and possible if anyone can give me a ballpark regarding where my machine is/should be.

I'm running a:

• Q6600 @ 2.4 (stock)
• 2gb Corsair XMS2 Twin2x2048-6400
• 7900GS 256 mb
• Gigabyte P35-DS3L

The 3DMark06 gave me a score of 4543, putting me above 44% of other computers. I figured I'd get a little better marks than that, even with the outdated vid card.

There were some issues in the results, though, mainly the analyzer saying I had a Q6700, not a 6600, so, what's the deal there?

Finally, under the comparisons tab, it says the number one ranked rig with similar configs got 9800 marks vs. mine, and the sample machine had a Quad-core @ 2.4 and a 7900GS (albeit 668MHz/900MHz vs. my 468MHz/661MHz).

My main question is, is my rig performing the way it should be? Is 4543, a lower-than-middle-of-the-road score what I'm looking at with a quad core 6600, 2gb of pretty good ram, a good mobo, and my current vid card? How much would adding an 8800GT bring? Is it just the vid card that's slowing me down, or something else?

Anyway, I guess that's like 12 main questions, not one, but you get the point. I'm just looking for some expert advice/palm reading here. Thanks in advance. Hopefully I get some feedback.

Overclocking can help you increasing your performance. (that guy did it, and gained more than expected)

4543 is fine for a 7900gs, the average is 4200 so the q6600 helped you there.

Getting the 8800gt will help you getting around 9k or 10k 3dmark's at stock speeds.

Overclocking can help you increasing your performance. (that guy did it, and gained more than expected)

4543 is fine for a 7900gs, the average is 4200 so the q6600 helped you there.

Getting the 8800gt will help you getting around 9k or 10k 3dmark's at stock speeds.

wklzip

So what you're saying is that basically everything's kosher with what I have. I'm planning on upgrading my vid card this winter, but I just spent about $500 on CPU/Mobo/RAM and was minimally freaking out that for some reason that combo wasn't working correctly.

If it looks like it's only the vid card that's holding me back, then I'm cool with it.

So what you're saying is that basically everything's kosher with what I have. I'm planning on upgrading my vid card this winter, but I just spent about $500 on CPU/Mobo/RAM and was minimally freaking out that for some reason that combo wasn't working correctly.

If it looks like it's only the vid card that's holding me back, then I'm cool with it.

jazztrumpet5

Your system is great. When you upgrade the gpu then it will be even better :)

If you want a video card cheaper than the 8800gt 512, then you should be getting the 8800gt 256mb (usd$199) or get the hd3870 ($199). If you want the cheapest possible with best performance, then grab the hd3850 ($149).

*prices are not yet defined*

3Dmark06 is more or less a useless benchmark, it doesn't tell you anything you didn't already know, and it heavily rewards a powerful CPU, and overclocking, despite these not necessarily providing a heavy boost to gaming performance. In any case, the only weak point of your rig is your GPU, the 7900gs, and even that has another six months to a year of life left.

What you're seeing with similar rigs are heavy overclockers going to for benchmark points, take that for what it is - utter bs - and move on with your life, your rig is fine.

Right on, thanks guys.

The main reason I asked is because this is the first time i've had my hand in a total overhaul of my rig. I've never built my own before, and have these nagging worries that I installed my CPU wrong, or hooked up the wrong little cables to my mobo or something dumb like that. I guess I didn't.

...

:) Thanks, though.