Again, there is much to note: Each test was run once at each color depth and resolution. The Norton System Info benchmark uses several basic QuickDraw functions to test video speed. QuickDraw is the original screen drawing API for the Macintosh. It benchmarks by measuring how fast a video card can run through often used QuickDraw routines. In essence, by measuring how fast the video card can perform the smallest functions repeatedly, the test approximates the overall performance of a video card. A PowerMac 6100 at 60MHz (the original low end PowerMac, think Pentium 60) with built in video at 8bit color running at 640x480 will score 100 on this benchmark.

In 8 bit color, the 3dfx card consistently scores in the high 800 to low 900 range throughout all resolutions while the ATI scores consistently in the 530s. In 32 bit color, with scores mostly in the low 400s, the 3dfx card outscores the ATI card by over 100 points in all but the 1600x1200 resolution. The 3dfx Voodoo3's 2D speed advantage becomes apparent through these benchmarks. The Voodoo3 is really darn fast even though the drivers are far from final. Speed will only get better.