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S3 Linux Driver Outperforms Its Windows Twin In Nexuiz
An anonymous reader writes "Chrome Center has done some benchmarks with the proprietary S3 Chrome 400/500 Driver on Linux and Windows. They compared Nexuiz frame rates on a Phenom II system with a S3 430 GT — the surprising result: The Linux driver outperforms its Windows equivalent, offering frame rates about twice as high on average. The question now: Is the Linux driver that good or the Windows driver that bad?"
Nexuiz (2.4.2) plays like UT, a fast paced FPS. It is my favorite free linux game (not that anyone elses favorite is worse, but this one is mine).
The new version (svn) adds many features like teams and CTF, a better scoreboard, and is also much prettier (updated textures).
How is this a Troll?
Oh, yeah, Microsoft employees lurk here and sometimes get mod points. I almost forgot.
A moderation of Troll would have been correct. The comment introduces an unlikely culprit that doesn't apply in this scenario as an opportunity to gripe about something that isn't even on-topic.
Why wouldn't it be DRM related? I don't know anything technical about this DRM and I am an anti-DRM zealot. ...And, it seems logical that no matter how well executed, DRM is an extra step on something (video output) that should logically imply some sort of cost for that extra step and if this is a very competitive field why shouldn't DRM have an impact?
Because the DRM is only active if you are playing back DRM-encumbered media with a DRM-capable player. I think it's reasonably safe to assume that neither of those conditions apply in this situation.
Seriously, I'd like to know because I'll admit I have no idea. How does the DRM impact things?
If you don't have DRM-encumbered media, it doesn't.
I note that the tests were done using windows vista. I wonder if this could have anything to do with the encrypted video path.
Only if this Nexuiz thing enables the Protected Path. Do you seriously think it does ?