New Futuremark Guidelines for Driver Optimizations

[rain_king_uk]

Not sure if anyone posted this already, I did a search and didn't find anything.

Futuremark published new guidelines for allowed driver optimizations:

It is prohibited to change the rendering quality level that is requested by 3DMark.


It is prohibited to detect 3DMark directly or indirectly. In its sole discretion, Futuremark may approve detection in order to fix a specified hardware error.


Optimizations that utilize the empirical data of 3DMark are prohibited.


Generic optimizations that do not violate the above rules and benefit applications in general are acceptable only if the rendering is mathematically consistent with that of Microsoft® DirectX® reference rasterizer.

Full Article: <A HREF="http://www.futuremark.com/pressroom/pressreleases/?092303" target="_new">http://www.futuremark.com/pressroom/pressreleases/?092303</A>

I think the biggest thing here is drivers aren't allowed to detect 3dmark is running, so that should stop application specific optimizations.

 

[coolsquirtle]

well nVidia will find ways around that~~~~

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5950ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
waiting for aBox~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

The thing is that there is no mechanism to stop anyone from breaking the rules. They were already scared by nV's lawyers, this won't change anything, unless they get their partners to SIGN something. The thing is that this pretty much fits the nV internal quality audit, but since nV even broke THAT rule with the recent DET 51.75s, who expects them to abid by Futuremark's rules without the far of iron-clad contract/lawyers.

We shall see, but I don't expect much.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[TKS]

Right with ya on that sentiment Ape.

<b><i>Nvidia,</i> the way it's meant to be benchmarked.</b>

 

[Bahumut]

nVidia doesn't have to follow the rules for this to be effective.
Hardware review sites may use invalid drivers for hardware reviews, but corporations looking at Futuremark's lists will only see "valid" scores.
Because business has more influence than end consumers, nVidia will have to weigh Futuremark's influence on business against their own pride.

Maybe they'll decide to put less money into buggy optimizations and put more into hardware developement.

53 69 67 6E 61 74 75 72 65 20 69 6E 20 48 65 78 21

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

nV is the one that puts in application detection, and other little goodies (trilinear/bibye familiar?), and some of the reviewers (likely most) wouldn't know how to test for application specific tweaks, only the Futuremeark partners has a full copy of 3Dmk03 to test the nV drivers and their rendering of only one path, almost ALL other reviewers were not able to find this on their own.

I'll grant you that it also involves the reviewers, but really nV would be the bigger source of headaches under this type of guideline/request. Would they pull out again?


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK