Pyro's Updated 3dmark01/03 Guide

First, this guide is for all 3dmarkers. The hardcore enthusiast and the typical average joe 3dmarker. Alot of the information provided below is not exactly necessary and some tweaks hardly increase performance. Use what you can.

If you don't want to reformatt/install the OS again, then skip this section. For best results it would require a reformat, this is not necessary, but I recommend it.

Before installing your OS, go into BIOS and Load failsafe defaults. Then set your 1st bootable device to the cd-rom. While installing the OS and important programs/updates I like to keep everything at default. I've had problems with programs, especially 3dmark2001 when installing with "tweaked" BIOS settings.

Installation Process:
1. Clean Format - Create 2 or more partitions. One smaller partition around 5gb for the OS only. Make the other partition(s) use the rest of the available space and make that for everything else(music, games, programs, etc.) Pretty much never save anything to the OS partition again except Windows Updates/related programs. I like to do this because it keeps the OS drive clean and everythings alittle more organized.

2. Install OS - Windows 2000 is faster for 3dmarking than Windows XP when you use an Amd CPU. Windows XP is faster than Windows 2000 if you use an Intel CPU.

3. Install Motherboard drivers
4. Windows Update
5. Install DirectX 8, 8.1, or 9
6. Install VGA drivers
7. Install 3dmark2001 and/or 3dmark03
8. Install 3rd party programs

Now scandisk and defrag your harddrive(s). Or analyze and defrag your harddrive(s) if your using XP. Then restart your computer, now continue on.

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Afew your done installing your OS and main drivers/updates, etc. Its time to tweak the BIOS, which is quite simple.

Here are 2 BIOS optimization Guides:

Rojakpot's Definitive BIOS Guide
LostCircuit's BIOS Guide

Afew main things you definitely want:
1. Enable all CPU Caches such as CPU Level 1 Cache, CPU Level 2 Cache.
2. Enable Quick Power On Self Test (POST)
3. Usually set the AGP Aperture Size to half the amount of your RAM. Example, if you have 256mb of RAM, set it to 128. Though experiment with different settings. Expect a slight performance increase at the most, nothing special.
4. Set AGP Capability to 4x mode.

I recommend tweaking as much of the BIOS as possible. If you have any questions about certain settings just post here. But Rojakpot's guide should answer it all.

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Alright, after your done with tweaking the BIOS its time to speed up Windows. Try afew of these. :)

Blackviper's XP Service Configuration Guide
OverclockersClub XP Services Removal Guide
Database of 2000/XP Tweak Guides
Tweak3d's multiple OSes Tweak Guides
Techspot's multiple OSes Tweak Guides
NTFS.org's XP Tweak Guides
TweakXP's Tweak and Tip Database
Tweaktown's XP Tweak Guides

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Alright, we've tweaked the BIOS, and Windows. Now its time to tweak the video card settings. But first, scandisk and defrag your harddrive(s). Or analyze and defrag your harddrive(s) if your using XP. Then restart your computer, now continue on.

1. Disable antialiasing and v-synch.
2. Enable AGP 4x, fast writes, and sideband addressing(sideband is not really needed though).
3. Set level of anisotropy to either Bilinear or Point sampling. All of these setting can be changed using programs such as Rivatuner, coolbits, GTU, and NVmax.
5. Set Best Performance in Mipmap levels.
4. Make sure the desktop and the color depth are the same as the 3Dmark settings which run at 1024x768 with 32 bit color default. Set the monitor to 60hz refresh rate.
5. In Rivatuner, go to PowerUser, and set LODBias to 15. Then go to the DirectX section and set it to 15. *Performance results vary*


Again, just set everything to max performance. Make sure antialiasing, anistropic filtering, and v-sync are disabled.

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OC'ing Tips:
1. Make sure you have adequate cooling. If your CPU's already running at 40 degrees celsius, you won't get to far. I had to drop my CPU temp to around 0 degrees celsius for major OC'ing.

2. Go up in small increments. No more then 3-5 mhz for core or memory per step for VGA oc'ing. Make sure you have it set so that if you have a failed OC, your default settings will load up after boot or you'll have to clear CMOS and reset BIOS settings.

3. With overclocking FSB, go in 1 or 2 mhz increases. OC'ing ability will depend alot on your RAM manufacturer and quality. I pray you have AGP/PCI lock. With OC'ing CPU mhz only go up .5x on the jumpers. For example, 10x133 equals 1.33 ghz or 1333 mhz. So a 10.5x133 equals 1.39 ghz or 1396mhz. The jumpers are either on the mobo itself or in BIOS. You can use programs in Windows to also change CPU settings though I would stick with the other 2 options. Only change the jumpers while the computer is off if the jumpers are on the MOBO. You can get to the BIOS screen while holding the delete key at boot(I know its the delete key for most MOBO's).

4. You can also check the stepping of your CPU by looking at the surface of the CPU chip. Sites on the web compare different CPU steppings with overclockability. Though that would mean having to remove your HSF which can sometimes be a pain.

Creep's Overclocking for Beginners Guide

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Download links:

Windows:
Windows Update
Direct X
Windows 2000 Service Packs
Windows XP Service Packs

Motherboard drivers:
Intel Chipsets
All Via Chipsets
AMD Chipsets
Ali Chipsets
SiS Chipsets

Video card drivers:
Ati
Nvidia
Kyro/Kyro II
3dfx Original
3dfx 3rd Party
Matrox
Guru3d
A large database of beta and WHQL video card drivers. You'll find any vga driver your looking for here.
Reactor Critical
Another database of numerous video card drivers.
3DChipset
Database of beta and WHQL Nvidia, Ati, and Matrox drivers.

Tweak Guides:
Futuremark's 3DMark01/SE Team Tweaks
Extreme Overclocking's 3DMark Team Tweaks
Maximus Nickus's Tweaks-The Definitive Guide

Tweak Utilities:
Rivatuner
Geforce Tweak Utility
Powerstrip
Radeonator
Rage 3d Tweak
Powertweak
Cacheman 5.11
Fresh Diagnose
Sisoft Sandra
WCPUID
Guru3d
Guru3d contains many of the tweak utilities/tools mentioned above and so much more.

Benchmark Programs:
Guru3d's Benchmark Download Category
Contains lots of benchmark programs from 3dmark01SE to Codecreatures Pro to Vulpine GLmark.
Futurmark's Download Section
Contains the 3DMark and PCMark series downloads., patches/updates, etc.
MajorGeek's Benchmarking Section
All kinds of benchmarks, too much to list.

Good job on this one pyro! You should put a link in your sig so we know where it is at all times :)

3dmark01 Benchmarking Tips

1. Set 3dmark2001SE to realtime or high priority. After the 3dmark program comes up press control+alt+delete. Click the "Processes" tab, right-click 3dmark2001SE and scroll down to Set Priority. Choose either Realtime or High priority. I noticed a 20-30 point increase with this tweak.

2. Make sure your desktop resolution is the same as the 3dmark defualt settings (1024 x 768). Run Nature in 32 bit color, the rest of the tests in 16 bit. Set the monitor refresh rate to 60 hertz.

3. If you system is somewhat unstable due to high overclocking try running "Custom" tests. Click on "Change" under Selected Tests, click "Custom". Now choose the most aggressive test first.

Run the tests separately and try to max out the video card settings for each test. Usually Nature is the most intensive test, then Lobby High Detail, Dragothic High Detail, and Car Chase is the easiest.

First off run the Nature test. Then go to the project details and check the average FPS. Then mess around with the video card core/mem clock settings and do the test again. Repeat this until you figure out the best overclocked settings for that particular test. Then move to the Lobby test which should allow you slightly higher clocks. Max it out and do the same thing for the rest of the Game Performance tests. Remember the clocks that gave you the best average FPS and reboot. Now run the tests again, one at a time, with each individual best settings. Also allow the computer to cool down 2-3 minuntes inbetween tests.

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Ati 9700 PRO--->9800 PRO Softmod

First, make sure you already have the original 3.2 drivers and control panel installed.

Now, go HERE and download the Soft Modded Catalyst 3.2 Drivers.

After the modded drivers are downloaded. Go into the device manager and update the original 3.2 catalyst drivers navigating to the folder containing the modified Cat 3.2's, reboot. After your finished go to the "Adaptor" tab in the display properties. It should state "Radeon 9800AGP". This tweak gave me around a ~175 point increase over the 3.2s. NOTE: The 2.5s for the 9700 PRO score better than the 3.2s.

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Super Duper Hardware Tweak Section ;)

Create a Hardware Profile specifically for 3dmarking only.

Heres how to do it: XP Hardware Profile instructions It also works for other OSes, though the instructions may be alittle different.

After your done creating your profile, restart and load the new profile. Now go to the Service Configuration Guide.
To disable services for certain hardware profiles only: Right-click the services, click properties. Then go to the "Log On" tab. Notice at the bottom of the "Log On" tab there are options for disabling/enabling services for profiles.

I created a hardware profile titled "Tweaked" and followed the "Gaming" list for my profile. I only have 9 services running currently. I also disabled devices in Device Manager for my "Tweaked" profile. It works the same way as the services did.

My scores:
Default hardware profile: 14116
"Tweaked" hardware profile: 14189

I haven't tried the "Super Tweak" settings. Maybe you might get afew more points.

Pyro where do we post our scores now, I posted one in the thread, on the forum here.

3dmark scores for the Sharky 3dmark Database website? Just post in the original LONG thread. It needs alittle boost to the top again. ;)

Thx for the guide Pyro. I'll bookmark it and check it out.

I posted it there on the 12th, maybe someone else will boost it up.

GARRIN19, your welcome. I remember you posting in my first 3dmark guide. :)

lonewolfroger, I'll raise her to the top. :)

It would be nice if they would make it a sticky.

Wow... you put quite a bit of work into that guide. Good job man :)

Thanks KaoTiK.

Alright, I've updated the guide with some more links. Thats about all I can think of without focusing on the more detailed tweaks, which I don't want to do because I'm too lazy. :p Maybe I'll add those another day.

Hell of a post. Definitely some good stuff in there. :)

Thanks BL1NK...will do. :)

Someone please make this a Stciky - Pyro this is a great post, thanks.

bras0782, your welcome. I'm glad I could help. :) On the other forums that I post at this thread has immediately became a sticky. I think the mods have something against me here. ;) It doesn't really matter just refer others to this post when they're have low 3dmark scores.

Quote:

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OC'ing Tips:
1. Make sure you have adequate cooling. If your CPU's already running at 40 degrees celsius, you won't get to far. I had to drop my CPU temp to around 0 degrees celsius for major OC'ing.

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Was that an error? 0 celsius is freaking cold..I have a full load temp of 40-44c (varies depending on ambient temp) on a 1.6a @ 2.133Ghz..

Quote:

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Originally posted by Pyro
bras0782, your welcome. I'm glad I could help. :) On the other forums that I post at this thread has immediately became a sticky. I think the mods have something against me here. ;) It doesn't really matter just refer others to this post when they're have low 3dmark scores.

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Ehh, i think its more something against having a lot of stickies at the top of the forum, which i understand but disagree with :)

Awesome Guide Pyro :) :D .. well seeing there is a very very extremely slim chance at this guide being stickied would u mind if I add the link to this thread in my sig like " Pyro's 3DMARK 01/03 Guide " .. just to pass along the Message ..

Just added the "Ati 9700 PRO--->9800 PRO Softmod" section and more tweaks to the "3dmark01 Benchmarking Tips" section. Peace...

that an error? 0 celsius is freaking cold..I have a full load temp of 40-44c (varies depending on ambient temp) on a 1.6a @ 2.133Ghz..

No that wasn't an error. To overclock my P4 past 3.1ghz air cooling I had to use my "winter mod" which dropped temps around freezing. Though 0 degrees definitely isn't necessary for a good overclock. But the cooler the better. :)

Awesome Guide Pyro .. well seeing there is a very very extremely slim chance at this guide being stickied would u mind if I add the link to this thread in my sig like " Pyro's 3DMARK 01/03 Guide " .. just to pass along the Message ..

Sure, no problem. :D

Done :)

Just wanted to bump this thread, it deserves to be on the first page all the time. For anyone who wants to try a bunch of stuff and get a higher 3DMark score, this is the thread to check out. I will share some of my personal experience just so others can compare. I noticed when using a 9700, the 9700->9800 driver thing worked best, while the regular Cat3.2's were definitely the worst drivers for 3DMark performance. I have heard the Cat2.5's were the best on another forum, so I tried those and sure enough they stomped the 3.2's into the ground. However, the 9800 driver hack raised scores even more, so I would have to recommend those for anyone using a 9700. I also think the 1024x768 desktop setting helped as well. I think it relieves some stress on the video card, and allows for higher clockage. :cool: Also, the select testing thing is big IMO. Sure does help when you don't have to wait 10 minutes each time for the test to be done. Instead, you just run the 3 games and Nature and you are done. :) I say try all the stuff listed, and see how much of an improvement you get if you are a non-believer. :) Thanks again Pyro, still one of the most useful and imformative posts I have ever seen on Sharky. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Royal Oaks
Thanks again Pyro, still one of the most useful and imformative posts I have ever seen on Sharky. :cool:

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You very welcome and I'll add the comments about the Cats2.5 into the guide.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Pyro
...To overclock my P4 past 3.1ghz air cooling I had to use my "winter mod" which dropped temps around freezing...

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Thanks RO for the bump. I apparently missed it the first time around. Glad I caught it the second. Pyro, I agree with the others, you did an outstanding job and it should be made into a sticky. I bookmarked it. ;)

Have a question tho. I've heard others like sapasion mention a "winter mod". Can you explain to me just what this is? I'm thinking of switching to a WC setup - mainly for lower noise levels - but am definitely always interested in lower temps.

From what I have read about sapasion`s winter mod, he cut a hole in the wall that goes into his garage and he runs a hose from the garage to the side fan on his computer. This only works during cold weather.