X is a test based on Egosoftware's forthcoming space exploration and action sim that demonstrates how fast your system can push polygons under Direct3D.
INSTALLATION:
The installation will create several icons on your desktop. Launch X either via its icon or using the Start Menu. You'll need DirectX 5.0 before you can run this bootMark. Before you gather your benchmark score, you should familiarize yourself with X. So, click on the Start X Demo button to see what interstellar scenes X will give you. If you notice your output is skanky looking and horribly choppy, X may be trying to use software emulation. If this happens, press F11 and change the benchmark parameters. If you do this, make sure your DirectDraw device is set to the accelerator (e.g., an ATI 3D Rage Pro and a 3Dfx Voodoo), it will show up in a list if you click on the DirectDraw Display. Under Direct3D Device, ensure it's set to Direct3D HAL (Microsoft Direct3D Hardware) - anything else will be software emulation and will run like crap.
If you want to skip to the next screen during the test, press the space bar. To jump back a scene, press the "b" key. To stop the test, press the ESC key and you'll return to Windows. Now, restart X, click on the Benchmark button, and the test will begin.
NOTE:
Feel free to test all resolutions. With an 8MB board, you can get into some super-sharp modes, but don't expect frame-rate miracles. To see the type of performance gains and hits you should expect with D3D applications, set your display to 512x384, 640x400, 640x480, and 800x600. If any weird "in-between" modes are available, test them too because if X senses them, your D3D games should too. Who knows, you just may find that running at a resolution slightly lower than the standard 640x480 may get your favorite game smooth like buttah.
THE RANGE:
The score displayed is a straightforward average of your machines frames-per-second - the higher, the better. 30fps is good, while 45fps+ is excellent. If your system can hit the magic 60fps, then you have one helluva D3D dynamo.
