3DMark05 scores for MacBook Pro

Just ran 3DMark05 twice on my MacBook Pro (2GHz, 256MB x1600) after a fresh Windows install and got scores of 2950 and 2961. These seem quite a bit lower than the Acer Travelmate 8200 scores (over 4000).

 

Yep, those are quite low. I've scored up to 4500 depending on which driver I used (the stock drivers give consistent scores of around 4200). I imagine the issue is drivers and/or GPU BIOS, since there shouldn't be any material difference in the GPU itself.

 

You're right, those scores aren't that great for that GPU, but they are still better than the x700 (previous generation equivalent), and a score of 3000 means that the GPU still has plenty of gaming potential. I'd say, as wynand said, that its a driver thing, and I would also guess that the GPU has been underclocked a fair amount to keep it cooler in the aluminium chassis. If you overclocked you could probably get much higher scores, at the expense of a very hot notebook.

 

Yeah, if you want better performance, you're going to have to OC the GPU, which will cause the notebook's internal temp. to get even hotter than it already is. If you really want to OC the GPU, I suggest investing in a notebook cooling pad so you don't fry the internal components.

 

The issue is the clock and memory speed. I eased mine up to 400/360 and got 3502 3d mark 05. It was clocked at 315/300.

I can now run bf2 on mostly high settings with 2xaa. Dynamic light and shadow is on low with res 1024x768.

 

wyand,

Were the scores you referenced from the Mac or an 8204?

 

How do you know whats safe to overclock GPUs too?

 

You get OC software, such as RivaTuner, which will automatically tell you what you can saftely OC your GPU to.

 

I used small increments knowing that it has plenty of headroom due to the conservative clock speed and memory.

 

sincity, my scores are from my 8204...

It seems to me that the MBP suffers from some heat issues (which doesn't surprise me, given the form factor; it's definitely much smaller than my 8204), which are limiting performance. If the X1600 has to be _underclocked_, then certainly it wouldn't be a good idea to _overclock_ it. I believe that my 8204 has it clocked at pretty close to stock speeds, and heat has never been an issue; it never gets more that just a tad warm. I can even comfortably use it on my lap when needed.

Sounds like the MBP under Windows might suffer from reduced performance relative to the components AND heat issues. I guess I have to keep my 8204 after all...

 

That's a real bummer. I wonder if others have experienced this &, perhaps, found a workable solution? That would severely prohibit gamers from moving to the MacBookPro. I suppose we'll just wait & see.

 

The 8204WLMi clock and mem are 475/475

 

Mine gets no hotter with it overclocked than it did before. I will monitor it closely.

 

Try downloading MobileMeter for Windows (can be found by running a Google search) and see what temps. the notebook is running at - I'm curious to see.

 

cdd543 try running 3Dmark05

 

What graphics drivers are you using? Drivers provided by Boot Camp? The ATI Catalyst Drivers? or Omega Drivers?

If your using the bootcamp drivers im betting their on the conservative unoptimated side... You might try installing the Omega Drivers and see how they perform?

 

I don't know if the MBP would be able to cope with the heat output with a performance driver, which is why I think that the stock drivers are conservative - you don't want to fry your notebook's innards.

 

I already posted my results in this thread. 3502

 

It is not the drivers. I dloaded and benchmarked with the 6.3 omegas and scored four points lower than the boot camp driver.

 

From what i see, the MacBook Pro underclocks the ATI X1600 because of heat problems. The default clock and mem settings for the MCPro is 300 and 315.
But the Card can do 475/475 on the 8204WLMi with no Overheating problems.

 

yup..I gonna reboot in windows and grab mobilemeter. I was reading that a imac user oclocked their x1600 to 500/500 range, but of course they have different thermal capabilities.

update:
Tried most of temp monitoring programs and the only thing they can monitor is hd. Tried speedfan, mobilemeter, mbm, hardware monitor and on and on. Must be the apple motherboard.

 

i think thats the problem too...
the only air vent on a MBP are the ones in the back... where as TM8204 has plenty of air vent to keep it cool. (i had a TM8204) i think thats one of the problems y MBPs runs hot, if only they made more air vents it would prolly run alot cooler IMO.

 

Oh well... it was a nice hope while it lasted... looks like heat is the problem, and what the clocks are turned down.