STARS Euler3d computational fluid dynamics
Few folks run fluid dynamics simulations on their desktops, but we've found this multi-threaded test to be particularly demanding of memory subsystems, making it a good link between our memory and application performance tests.
Despite a memory timing handicap, the GeForce 9300 is only a hair behind the 790GX in our Euler3d fluid dynamics benchmark. That still puts it well off the pace set by the G45 Express, though.
WorldBench
WorldBench uses scripting to step through a series of tasks in common Windows applications. It then produces an overall score. WorldBench also spits out individual results for its component application tests, allowing us to compare performance in each. We'll look at the overall score, and then we'll show individual application results alongside the results from some of our own application tests.
The GeForce 9300 hits its stride in WorldBench, posting the highest overall score of the lot, albeit by only one point.
Photoshop CS2 is too old to support GPU acceleration for features like zooming, rotation, and flick panning, but the GeForce 9300 still turns in the fastest time in that test. Otherwise, the 9300 hangs with the G45 Express, which is good company to keep in a 2D desktop app.
WorldBench's Firefox tests have always preferred lower memory access latencies, so it's no surprise to see the GeForce 9300 stumbling in the standalone browser and multitasking tests.
The 3dsmax tests included in WorldBench are split between a rendering workload bound by CPU horsepower and a modeling test that can benefit from a speedy graphics core. Clearly, the GeForce 9300 has a superior graphics core to the G45 Express.
The GeForce 9300 has to settle for the middle of the pack in WorldBench's Nero test, but Nvidia's latest MCP races out to a healthy lead in WinZip.
