3DMark 2001SE
- Author: MadOnion/Futuremark
- DirectX Class: 8.1
- Pixel and Vertex Shaders: Yes (Nature test) PS1.1/1.4
Is 3DMark 2001SE indicative of what we're going to see throughout all the benchmarks, both in terms of comparative performance with 9800XT when successfully softmodded and also performance comparative to 9600XT? In the 9600XT case, yes. 3DMark 2001SE is a more traditional render test with a set of fixed geometry and texturing routines that don't make use of the shader hardware, which allows 9800SE with its bandwidth advantage, to keep up with 9600XT with ease. The clock speed deficit will only generally become a hindrance when that clock speed is made use of, in scenarios that aren't dependent too much on memory bandwidth, such as more recent DX9 class titles. However even in those types of test, 9800SE on the Hercules card does well, despite a 120MHz core clock difference. That memory bandwidth definitely helps.
When up against the 9800XT, the 9800 Pro which 9800SE becomes when softmodded, shows the rough 10 to 15 percent difference versus the new card. So while performance may appear to be comparatively poor, up against 9800XT, it's 9800 Pro performance remember, which is not poor at all. Factor in price to the whole equation and the 9800SE starts to look especially good, successful softmod permitting.
So initial performance parity with 9600XT, especially in our midway setting of 1024x768 with 8xAF and 4xAA, where the memory bandwidth on tap is being used to good effect. Look for similar performance in all the other tests.
