Problems with 3DMark2001 and overclocking

[PilotPC]

I have been having some problems with 3DMark2001 at any CPU speeds higher than default. When I first built my computer about 2 weeks ago, I installed 3DMark2001 and ran it a dozen times with the CPU at both 1.4Ghz and 1.47Ghz as well as experimenting with video card overclocking. I never had a problem until this past week. I had successfully completed a 3DMark bench at 1.47 and 230/530 several times before with a score of 7854, but now, even with the video card at the default 200/450 (Gainward Ti200), I get a "corrupt texture" message after the 2nd or 3rd test at any CPU speeds other than the default 1.4. I don't understand it. I haven't seen my CPU temps go above 45 degrees C yet, even at 1.58Ghz (10.5x150). Every other program I use, including a very graphic intensive flight sim (Falcon 4), runs perfect, with no lock ups or blue screens, but 3DMark doesn't like to run overclocked. When I run the CPU at 1.4, it will test successfully, but even at 1.47, after doing a half dozen test runs a few weeks ago, won't fly now. I was thinking it was maybe too aggressive memory settings, but I've put those back to default and it will still do it. I normally run Ultra CPU decode with memory set to CAS2, 4 Bank, 2T, 5T, 2T and 2T Command with no problems, even at 150Mhz FSB. Anyone else with this problem?

[Inteleron]

has happened to me before on my older machine, did you try reinstalling it? worked for me :D ...good luck bro.

[PilotPC]

Yep, uninstalled and reinstalled about 5 times. Same result. What I don't get is that I was able to overclock before without a problem. Now all of a sudden it doesn't like it. Computers shouldn't have attitudes. :D

I'm trying to think of what I have done differently since then. I am actually back with the 23.11 Detonators because the 23.12's took 3000 points off my 3DMark score!!! I guess newer isn't always better, huh?

[FrozenInHI]

a new install of DX might not hurt either, seems to be a common thing with the benchmark, best bet is to reinstall the 4 in1 drivers if you use them, then DX, then video card drivers, seems to always fix my 3dmark woes these days.

[PilotPC]

I decided to run 3DMark2001 with 32bit textures instead of compressed textures and guess what. No crashes. I guess it's something with the compressed textures and overclocking. Don't ask me why. I have no clue, but with 32 bit textures, 1024x768, 32, no antialiasing, high image quality, AGP 4X, 128mb apeture, fastwrite enabled, WS Read enabled and WS write enabled, it'll complete the bench at 1.58Ghz (10.5x150) and 230/530 on the Gainward Ti200 with a score of 8467. Not bad. :D I don't think I'm going to go nuts trying to get 3DMark to run correctly using compressed textures. It's not that important to me. Watching the bench is not that fun anymore. hehe

[o770]

if you want to be sure try running 16-bit with the z-buffer set to 24-bit. when u ran the 32-bit bench you allowed the application to use a higher z-buffer which will reduce rendering errors, thats because it got better precision to perform depth calculations. so if you want to try it out, 16-bit textures, 24-bit z-buffer.

[PilotPC]

Ok, tried 16-bit with 24 z-buffer with the hardware clocked the same as above and got a score of 8,632! Pretty nice. CPU got up to about 47 degrees C during the test though. Seems to be running 42c at idle with a case temp of 27c. I'll put it back down to 1.52 @ 1.8v vs. 1.58 @ 1.825.