All tests are done with default video/driver settings after install.
No tweaking is done, the only change is what is posted for each result.

Completely Stock just opened w/ 2x256mb (71.76 drivers)
Aquamark3 64,704
3dmark03 11,047
3dmark05 4,884


2x256mb, with latest Dell drivers (77.24)
Aquamark3 66,504
3dmark03 11,156
3dmark05 5,025

2x256mb, updated BIOS from A01 to A03
3dmark05 5,015 (-10)

1x256mb 1x1GB - Upgraded to 1.25g RAM
Aquamark3 66,893 (+389)
3dmark03 11,181 (+25)
3dmark05 5,015 (No Change)

Updated drivers to 77.70
Aquamark3 67,941 (+1048)
3dmark05 5,129 (+114)

You usually want to post your system specs along with your benchmark results.

Hey man don't go by how high your 3DMark scores are. There is a guy that can score 53XX at stock while I score 51XX and I get better FPS in the Counter Strike Source benches.

Even though you get better CS:source benches doesn't mean your game run better then those with lower CS:Source benches. I scored 88.xx - 89.xx with the same setting as shoman with 80.40 driver but found it not to be as stable as the 77.24 which by the way only scored 81.xx on CS:source stress test. I just recently did a clean format installation yesterday and scored 5182 with 77.24 (no longer 5288). So basically my game is running smoother , more stable, then when I had a scored of 88+ on CS:source.

I'm not comparing our scores with the 80.40 driver

I wasn't comparing b/w me and you I was speaking in general as some particular driver makes more fps in CS:stress (88-89.xx) but probably wont run more stable than some other driver that only hit 81.xx fps. Im just using you as an example. By the way what driver did you use to score 88.xx? I seen many screenshot of your CS:stress test.

Base XPS2 with 2.0, 7200rpm 60gig. Stock clocking.

I'm confused though. I updated the drivers, here is an append to my benchmark results:

Updated drivers to 77.76
Aquamark3 66,842 (-1099)
3dmark05 5,138 (+9)

Why would Aqua suffer so much, but 3dmark increase or stay the same?

80.40

Dude, don't worry about benches.

I had problems with san andreas and battlfield 2 with the 80.40 drivers. I switched to the new dell drivers and it fixed the problems in games and increased my performance in 3dmark, aquamark, cs source, and doom

yea stick with Dell driver you'll be more happier - in my opinion

BINGO

I get 81.6 fps using the dell driver. Same settings 450/530 clocks.

yeah snazzy i have been thru a bunch of drivers and find the new dell one's to be the most stable, and also got the highest 3dmark05 score i have seen on my comp: 3400 (i do not overclock due to warranty issues).. for some reason I can't run the BF2 demo i have.. do you really need to use the one's that come with it? (77.30 i think) but i wasn't all that crazy about the game anyway.. I want HL2!

Thats not a bad idea to run benches after a single upgrade. Its good to know how much certain things affect performance. It also makes you wonder wha is changed in every driver release to make it get so much better (Well, its not THAT much better, but a reasonable benchmark score increase).

I'm thinking of using Omega Drivers... are the Dell drivers THAT good that most users use them?

hmm omega driver..... I heard someone had heat issue with Omega driver but it could of been somthing else. Also yes the Dell driver is that good. I've tried at least 5 to 6 drivers I think..... and 77.24 - A04 runs the most stable out of all of em. 80.40 is good also, but when playing CS:source my fps drop down to 34...32...29 only when everyone goes at it at one spot (I'm talking about 20vs20 with setting on max except for AA). For the 77.24 driver I barely see 30... it's mostly 40fps-60fps in the heat of battle. Though when not battling it constantly hit 70+ to 100.