I just ran 3dmarks06 on my new vostro and it seems like the scores are lower then expected. I havent installed anything since I received my computer and all the drivers were from the Dell.

Dell Vostro 1500
Windows XP
Core2Duo 2.0ghz
Nvidia 8600m GT
5400rpm hard drive
1gb ram

My score that i got was 2766 which i believe to be kind of slow for the specs i have. And throughout the whole process I was getting 3-9 FPS which is kind of weird for the 8600m GT no? I kind of expected more from this laptop cuz i spent 1000 on this laptop to be able to run up to date games.


I ran another test over at PCPitSTOP and found other problems as well.

Memory performance of this system 3852 megabytes per second, is significantly lower than average. Systems with the same processor and amount of memory typically perform at a level of 8078 MB/s.

Video performance of this system, 38.95 megapixels per second, is significantly lower than average.Systems with the same processor and amount of memory typically perform at a level of 157 Mp/s. PC Pitstop's video test measures the 2D performance of the video board, which is used to draw windows, icons, and fonts on typical desktop applications such as word processors and browsers. It does not measure the 3D capabilities used by high-end games.

Can we assume that all your drivers are up to date, and that you deleted all the unnecessary junk? Oh, also that you have disable unneeded services?

I have not touched the drivers and the programs that I do not use have been removed.

I did a driver scan and they said my video card driver is up to date

You used the new one on Nvidia's site?

If everything is up to date, then I would check your performance settings in the power manager. I don't think that will be your solution, but it's something to check.

Honestly? I think your laptop is performing about the way I would expect it to. The 8600GT ranks in line with other older cards, based on Tom's Hardware.

Those aren't really stellar gaming cards... And combined with the 5400rpm drive I think you are where you should be.

Even if its not a stellar graphics card for games, it should be able to run basic 2D tests up to speed. According to pcpitstop im at 39mp/s when it should be at 157mp/s.

I went to http://driveragent.com and they said my video card was up to date with the one that dell gave me. I will go to nvidia and install their drivers directly to see if there are any differences.

Im just upset that my friends onboard graphics 950 is performing about the same as my dedicated graphics card that i paid $150 more for.

Have you tried running any of your games? I don't put a lot of faith into benchmarking programs, and just see how the program runs.

Im right now at school and tethering with my phone because only one computer can be connected at a time. It wont be very accurate when i play games connected through a phone lol. I will have to wait till i go home and try it out.