Quake III: Arena
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Q3 BENCH DEMO 1
The GeForce 3 features multiple independent memory controllers, each capable of capturing data from any location in memory. The GeForce 2 has only a single memory controller. This new method allows for a much more effective use of the bandwidth between the graphics chip and the video card memory, and helps to keep the 3d pipeline full, maximizing the bandwidth that’s available. Therefore, don’t expect substantial increases in games or frame rates with traditional Renderers and low polygon counts such as Quake III. However, at higher settings and resolutions the delta between the GeForce 2 and GeForce 3 becomes apparent; as with the above Q3 Bench Demo 1 benchmark. Interesting note, as with earlier video cards, it was unheard of to see playable frame rates at the highest resolutions as exhibited with the GeForce 3. The GeForce 3 only starts to flex its muscles at the High Configuration File Settings. In fact, it performs poorly against the GeForce 2 Ultra in the entire NORMAL configuration File Settings.
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Q3 BENCH DEMO 2
A little different story here. Compared to Q3 BENCH DEMO 1, the GeForce 3 starts to exhibit its strengths only at the HIGHEST Configuration File Settings. This may best be explained by the GeForce 3’s traditional 3D acceleration engine that’s considerably faster than that of the GeForce 2 Ultra. This speed increase means that the GeForce 3 can run most existing games at a higher frame rate that its predecessor; as exhibited by the results.
