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[Guide] 3DMark Tweaks

50K views 78 replies 26 participants last post by  alancsalt 
#1 ·
3DMark Tweaks - NVIDIA SLI


I am not responsible for any damage that occurs on your computer, the risk is yours.
axesmiley.png


Objective: Increase score in 3DMark with the same overclock. Tweaks made in windows and bios. Everything has been tested on Windows 8 Pro 64 Bits with the same clock in afterburner (sli) forever. The source of all is the following google searches and tests. It is intended for users like me who do not want to have only one partition with windows installed with nothing and with all the services disabled.

Driver Tests:



All tests done with a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit With BenchTweak applied.
ASrock OC Formula
Core i7-3770k 4.6Ghz
SLI MSI GTX 680 Lightning (LN mode +100/+340)
G.Skill x 8GB 2133Mhz CL9
XFX 850W

Download Table

1. Programs
3DMark is a program for performance measurement and the graphic CPU at the end of a score test is made, the higher the score the better, particularly for those who participates in HWbot.org. More information about 3DMark access the site: http://www.3dmark.com/. Having the higher score does not mean having a stable system. This is not a topic about overclocking and stability.

What we need for now: 3DMark, Nvidia Inspector, PowerMizer Switch, WinTimerTester 1.1 or TimerTiming, regedit, bcdedit, your windows with all updates, video driver to the latest version as well as all the drivers required for the operation of windows and lots of willingness to test each tweak. The link to the program will be given in tips. The version used is purchased on steam.

* I recommend creating a restore point, check out this link if you do not know how to do: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4690-restore-point-create-windows-8-a.html

* Please have an iso ready to be installed in pen-driver if necessary re-install windows. (Http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html)

2. Tweaks
These are simple things that improve your score between 600 and 1500 points, of course it all depends on your system as well, you can not do miracles.

2.1. NVDIA Inspector (test what is the best for you)
A program that shows hardware information, settings profiles for games and programs and also has overclocking options.
Download: http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/nvidia_inspector_download.html

Once downloaded place it wherever you want and run nvidiaInspector.exe.
This window will open, click where I circled in blue, to access the profiles of the driver:

Open this window, click where is the blue circle and select 3DMark:

Click on SettingsID SLI compatibility bits (DX1x) and select:
0x080000F5 (Catzilla, Dragon Age 2, Ocean Demo, Unigine: Tropics demo, Metro: Last Light, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Unigine Engine, Unigine: Sanctuary demo, Unigine: Valley demo, Hitman: Absolution, 3DMark11, Oil Rush Unigine: Heaven demo, Sniper Elite 2, Ladybug Demo, Passion Leads Army Benchmark, Stone Giant Mecha Demo, Metro 2033).

By default it is:
0x000000F5 (DX SDK DetailTessellation11 sample, Star Trek: Online, Tom Clancy's HAWX 2, DX SDK PNTriangles11 sample, Battlefield 1943, Devil May Cry 4 (DX10), Biohazard 5, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Medal of Honor (sp), Medal of Honor, Colin McRae: Dirt 2, Saints Row: The Third, NecroVisioN, Mythos, Assassin's Creed, Company of Heroes, 3DMark, Windows System Assessment Tool, Rocketsled, APB: All Points Bulletin, Lucas Arts Hive Engine Demo, Avatar, Rise of Immortals, Resident Evil 5, Mortal Online, Medal of Honor (mp), Deus Ex: Human Revolution - The Missing Link, Forged By Chaos, The Secret World, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, King Arthur II , MS Flight Simulator X, DX SDK SubD11 sample, Star Trek, War of the Roses, Island Demo, Homefront, Red Faction: Guerilla, Anno 2070, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Hamilton `s Great Adventure, Hunted: The Demon's Forge Order of War, Heroes and Generals, Stormrise, Aliens vs. Predator 3).

Scroll down and find the scroll Common SLI and leave as follows:

Click Apply changes. Nvidia Inspector configured. If some problem back to default setting.

2.2. PowerMizer
Generally this option is available in notebook to save the battery, but you can apply this on dekstop. According to my test without it my sli usage was 97% in both GPU for 3DMark after rose to 99%.
Download: https://www.box.com/shared/v7jpoateoq

There are two ways to do the regedit (windows registry) and a program that does this. I use the program that is easier.

2.2.1. By regedit

Press windows + r keyboard. Type regedit and press enter.
Navigate here: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Video
You will find several folders with numbers, look inside them that has number 000 that has more values within:

Right-click and add the DWORD values:
PerfLevelSrc 2222
PowerMizerEnable 0
PowerMizerLevel 0
PowerMizerLevelAC 0

Restart.

2.2.2. By program

Just download it, put the program anywhere, run as adminitrador and click PowerMizer OFF.

Restart, press OK.

2.3. BCEdit and HPET - Only for motherboards with support for 64bit Windows and HPET.
According to Microsoft Bcdedit:
Data files (BCD) boot configuration provide storage that is used to describe boot applications and boot application settings. The objects and elements in the store effectively replace Boot. ini.

BCDEdit is a command line tool for managing BCD stores. Can be used for various purposes, including creating new stores, modifying existing stores, adding boot menu parameters and so on.
(Ref: http://technet.microsoft.com/pt-br/library/cc731662% 28v = WS.10% 29.aspx)

HPET - High Precision Event Timer:
The High Precision Event Timer is a hardware timer used in personal computers. It was developed jointly by Intel and Microsoft and Has Been Incorporated in PC chipsets since circa 2005.
An HPET chip Consists of a 64-bit up-counter (main counter) counting at a frequency of at least 10 MHz, and a set of (at least 3, up to 256) comparators. These comparators are 32 - or 64-bit wide. The HPET is programmed via a memory mapped I / O window that is discoverable via ACPI. The HPET circuit in modern PCs is integrated into the southbridge chip.
(Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Precision_Event_Timer)

Theoretically this tip gives a boost in the whole machine.

2.3.1.
First of all make a backup of the settings bcdedit.
Open CMD as board administrator -> Windows key + x, click Command Prompt (Admin), type: bcdedit / export C: \ BACKUP_bcdedit hit enter. A file was saved with the name given in C: \.
If you do only using the restore point or re-installing windows (experience).

To restore just do the same procedure with the command: bcdedit / import C: \ BACKUP_bcdedit.

2.3.2. Changing settings

What we will do is change the QueryPerfomanceFrequency windows.
Retrieves the frequency of the high-resolution performance counter, if one exists. The frequency can not change while the system is running.
(Ref: http://msdn.microsoft.com/pt-br/library/windows/desktop/ms644905% 28v = VS.85% 29.aspx)
As I understand it, would be a function that returns the time it takes for the CPU to calculate an operation. More or less. The smaller the better.

This tip can be used to improve performance in games, even resolves some lockups in games.
(Ref: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee417693% 28VS.85% 29.aspx)

Programs to measure it:
TimerTimming nvidia: https://developer.nvidia.com/content/timer-function-performance
WinTimerTester 1.1: http://www.mediafire.com/?xzo9n84d8lze9nb

WinTimerTester Download the file, run it as Administrator and make sure the QueryPerfomanceFrequency is as below:


If not with this number:

To begin to change, Open CMD as board administrator -> Windows key + x, click Command Prompt (Admin), type: bcdedit / set useplatformclock true, hit enter and reboot.

Upon reboot, go into your BIOS and activate HPET function on ASRock this function is called ACPI HPET Table:


After system initialization, download the file and check that the WinTimerTester QueryPerfomanceFrequency now with a number 14.xxxxx Mhz, as in the first picture.

3.0 Others

3.1 Clear memory
Add shorchut desktop with this path:
%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

This put pc in idle state before run benchmarks. This make test run a little more smooth.

3.2 My BenchTweak Application
devil.gif





New:
specool.gif
Download now

*This keep network and print.
*PLEASE CREATE A RESTORE POINT FIRST.
Old Download:
7.81 :
Download now
1.2.BenchTweak_old
1.1.BenchTweak
1.0.BenchTweak.zip

*This keep network and print.
Don't work with Windows 7 Start.
Windows XP, Windows 7, Pro, Ultimate, Windows 8, 8.1, 32 and 64 bits.
Work with 32 and 64bits.
If you have problems, try run As Adminstrator.
*PLEASE CREATE A RESTORE POINT FIRST.

Problems: report here, or e-mail julio.com@uol.com.br

3.2. TDPCalc
A easy way to know uf you can handle your overclock.

Download
Results:


1 - Optimized 64Bit
2 - Not optimized 64Bit
3 - Optimized 32Bits
4 - 32Bits not optimized.
Difference of 1295 points.
thumb.gif
All testing done with the same clock as afterburner above.
I am not responsible for any damage that occurs on your computer, the risk is yours.
axesmiley.png
For now that is. As I'm testing adding other things going.

Updates:
v1.1 - 01/05/1014
BenchTweak Application update
v 8.0
- All new
- New code to make it faster
- Bug fix
- Now you can create a restore point and use Windows System Restore to rollback
- More tweaks

v1.0 - 03/25/2013
Nvdia Drivers test
add: 314.22.

v0.9 - 03/18/2013
Nvidia Drivers Test, list:
314,21
314,14
314,07
313,96
310,9
310,7
310,64
310,61
310,54
310,33
306,97
-Best driver now is: 314.21:thumb:
-Table and comparison chart added.

v0.8 - 03/17/2013
Nvidia driver 314.21:
-Very stable for games: Crysis 3 and TR.
-Good to overclock (high voltage)
-Low score than 314.07 in 3DMark 11, bug 3DMark 13.

v0.7 - 03/11/2013
BenchTweak
-Added backup option.
-Fixed code bug

v0.6 - 03/10/2013
BenchTweak new version
Download now
-Fixed problems with windows experience index
-Fixed problems with ssd detection

v0.5 - 03/09/2013
TDPCalc added.
Download

v0.4 - (03/07/2013)
BenchTweak bug fix.
New: BenchTweak New

v0.3 - (03/07/2013)
BenchTweak application added.
Download here: http://oracaodiar.dominiotemporario.com/urban/BenchTweak.zip

v0.2 - (03/04/2013)
Nvidia 314.07 are the best to 3DMark 11.
Nvidia 314.14 and 314.09 not good in 3DMark 11 only 3DMark 13 (FireStriker).
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bits give more score than Windows 7 Pro 64 bits and Windows 8 Pro 64 Bits.
3DMark 11 1.0 better then new.
Added shorchut desktop to clear memory (3.1).
IRQPriority tip don't work.

v0.1 - (02/13/2013)
Released.
 
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23
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulioCesarSF View Post

HPET - High Precision Event Timer:
The High Precision Event Timer is a hardware timer used in personal computers. It was developed jointly by Intel and Microsoft and Has Been Incorporated in PC chipsets since circa 2005.
An HPET chip Consists of a 64-bit up-counter (main counter) counting at a frequency of at least 10 MHz, and a set of (at least 3, up to 256) comparators. These comparators are 32 - or 64-bit wide. The HPET is programmed via a memory mapped I / O window that is discoverable via ACPI. The HPET circuit in modern PCs is integrated into the southbridge chip.
(Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Precision_Event_Timer)

Theoretically this tip gives a boost in the whole machine.

2.3.1.
First of all make a backup of the settings bcdedit.
Open CMD as board administrator -> Windows key + x, click Command Prompt (Admin), type: bcdedit / export C: \ BACKUP_bcdedit hit enter. A file was saved with the name given in C: \.
If you do only using the restore point or re-installing windows (experience).

To restore just do the same procedure with the command: bcdedit / import C: \ BACKUP_bcdedit.

2.3.2. Changing settings

What we will do is change the QueryPerfomanceFrequency windows.
Retrieves the frequency of the high-resolution performance counter, if one exists. The frequency can not change while the system is running.
(Ref: http://msdn.microsoft.com/pt-br/library/windows/desktop/ms644905% 28v = VS.85% 29.aspx)
As I understand it, would be a function that returns the time it takes for the CPU to calculate an operation. More or less. The smaller the better.

This tip can be used to improve performance in games, even resolves some lockups in games.
(Ref: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee417693% 28VS.85% 29.aspx)

Programs to measure it:
TimerTimming nvidia: https://developer.nvidia.com/content/timer-function-performance
WinTimerTester 1.1: http://www.mediafire.com/?xzo9n84d8lze9nb

WinTimerTester Download the file, run it as Administrator and make sure the QueryPerfomanceFrequency is as below:


If not with this number:

To begin to change, Open CMD as board administrator -> Windows key + x, click Command Prompt (Admin), type: bcdedit / set useplatformclock true, hit enter and reboot.

Upon reboot, go into your BIOS and activate HPET function on ASRock this function is called ACPI HPET Table:


After system initialization, download the file and check that the WinTimerTester QueryPerfomanceFrequency now with a number 14.xxxxx Mhz, as in the first picture.

I might have gone and goofed this part up.

When I ran the WinTimerTester it gave me a value of 3.XXXXXXXX - According to the guide we were aiming for a 14.XXXXXXXX - Did what the guide said, rebooted - Activated HPET (Well, it was already on - Default apparently) and when booting into Windows I checked the settings and it was according to the guide.

Good.

However, upon closer reading we are aiming towards a LOWER number, meaning my 3.XXXXXXX was actully better ?

Found this:

commands:

bcdedit /set useplatformclock true (then reboot) enable HPET
bcdedit /deletevalue useplatformclock (then reboot) disable HPET

TSC+LAPICs (useplatformclock false)*
LAPICs (useplatformclock true)**
TSC+HPET (useplatformclock false)***
HPET (useplatformclock true)****

* Windows default.

**platformclock=true and HPET disabled in BIOS will default to LAPICs, which is good compared to TSC, but doesn't not have not so high resolution and so low DPC latency as HPET.

*** Windows default with HPET enabled in BIOS.

**** HPET enabled in BIOS and in OS.


Guess it is just one of those things you need to play around with and see where it takes the user.

Word of warning though, do *NOT* overclock from within Windows when you run this - The Timer is synchronized upon post with you clock speed - Windows 7 is now based on the clock speed of the processor. If you overclock in the bios and then boot up, this timer is calibrated and will work 100% correctly. If you use SetFSB or a similar program and you change the bus speed from within Windows, you have now just screwed up this very important timing mechanism. The number of applications that can choke after you do this is surprising, especially games.

Source: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/568525-setfsb-game-timing-problem-g60jx-2.html#post7364805 unclewebb - Creator of WinTimerTester

Thumb-rule: The higher the QueryPerformanceFrequency is the better is performance.
 
#13 ·
I think I'm gonna try this... I wanna eek into the top 30.

http://3dmark.com/edm/316549

EDIT : Yup... Completely crippled my scores LOL... Now to revert back!

EDIT INCEPTION!: New results 12780! Up 1150 only using Nvidia Inspector
 
#14 ·
v0.2 - (03/04/2013)
Nvidia 314.07 are the best to 3DMark 11.
Nvidia 314.14 and 314.09 not good in 3DMark 11 only 3DMark 13 (FireStriker).
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bits give more score than Windows 7 Pro 64 bits and Windows 8 Pro 64 Bits.
3DMark 11 1.0 better then new.
Added shorchut desktop to clear memory (3.1).
IRQPriority tip don't work.
 
#15 ·
Hey Julio. First of all, great guide
thumb.gif


Just wanted to say though, that maybe you could add the optimizations that...I believe DJRamses, came up with and posted in the Lightning thread. You might have to PM him if you can't find the post, as it was a while ago. But he had a few simple edits in Inspector that really brought up scores a decent amount for such simple changes. Just a suggestion
smile.gif
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by error-id10t View Post

Just a question on the: 2.2. PowerMizer

I don't have these values in the registry, is there a reason to run this then? I'd say nope but figure I ask.
You need to test.

"Generally this option is available in notebook to save the battery, but you can apply this on dekstop. According to my test without it my sli usage was 97% in both GPU for 3DMark after rose to 99%."
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by dph314 View Post

Hey Julio. First of all, great guide
thumb.gif


Just wanted to say though, that maybe you could add the optimizations that...I believe DJRamses, came up with and posted in the Lightning thread. You might have to PM him if you can't find the post, as it was a while ago. But he had a few simple edits in Inspector that really brought up scores a decent amount for such simple changes. Just a suggestion
smile.gif
Ty.
thumb.gif
 
#19 ·
Alright thanks, well it seems to help to an extent. Previously I had a problem where either one of the cards didn't ramp up to 98% etc until little in either of the GPU tests, always causing lowering of the score. This has now changed in that they ramp up - however, I'm seeing it dip here and there from that 98% etc down to 80% at times during test.

It almost looks like throttling, but isn't as core stays where it should be, temps are <50 degrees and power is under target level.
 
#20 ·
v0.4 - (03/07/2013)
BenchTweak bug fix.
New download link: BenchTweak New

v0.3 - (03/07/2013)
BenchTweak application added.
Download here: BenchTweak

thumb.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by error-id10t View Post

Alright thanks, well it seems to help to an extent. Previously I had a problem where either one of the cards didn't ramp up to 98% etc until little in either of the GPU tests, always causing lowering of the score. This has now changed in that they ramp up - however, I'm seeing it dip here and there from that 98% etc down to 80% at times during test.

It almost looks like throttling, but isn't as core stays where it should be, temps are <50 degrees and power is under target level.
Try disable and use my tool.
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimir View Post

TDPCalc doesn't load here, got that error :


Btw, may I ask what your own BenchTweak app is actually doing.
eh-smiley.gif
Ok, i fixed midas.dll problem. Could you please re download and test?

Benchtweak, tweak a lot of services. Make system more fast and stable. Im working on it to do a backup file if you want to roll back.
rolleyes.gif


thumb.gif
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulioCesarSF View Post

v0.2 - (03/04/2013)
Nvidia 314.07 are the best to 3DMark 11.
Nvidia 314.14 and 314.09 not good in 3DMark 11 only 3DMark 13 (FireStriker).
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bits give more score than Windows 7 Pro 64 bits and Windows 8 Pro 64 Bits.
3DMark 11 1.0 better then new.
Added shorchut desktop to clear memory (3.1).
IRQPriority tip don't work.
thumb.gif
Thank you for your benchmark 101!
But I remember earlier in that 3DMark official thread people were surprised it performed better in Win 8 than Win 7? or was it like 7 ultimate > 8 pro > 7 pro?
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by fewness View Post

thumb.gif
Thank you for your benchmark 101!
But I remember earlier in that 3DMark official thread people were surprised it performed better in Win 8 than Win 7? or was it like 7 ultimate > 8 pro > 7 pro?
Here i test Win 7 Ultimate, Win 7 Pro and Win 8 Pro, all 64bits, and Win 7 Ultimate 64 bits, give me more score than W8Pro 64bits. All new install, with key and tweaked with my tool.

thumb.gif
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulioCesarSF View Post

Ok, i fixed midas.dll problem. Could you please re download and test?

Benchtweak, tweak a lot of services. Make system more fast and stable. Im working on it to do a backup file if you want to roll back.
rolleyes.gif


thumb.gif
Great, will test back TDPcalc and yeah it would great to have a backup for benchtweak.
I don't want to mess everything up. If you could list the changes in the soft (like a button to click to see details).
Thanks.
wink.gif

edit: TDPcalc working
smile.gif
 
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