MadOnion.com releases 3DMark2001

First 3D benchmark that supports DirectX®8, featuring new playable game demo 

Toronto, Ontario - March 13, 2001

MadOnion.com, a leading provider of PC performance information and web services, today released 3DMark2001. Combining DirectX 8 support with the latest in 3D graphics, 3DMark2001 objectively measures how effectively a PC runs 3D graphics applications and provides users with benchmark results that allow them to make informed hardware assessments and upgrades.

3DMark2001 runs a wide range of tests to measure both overall 3D performance and theoretical speed, analyzing and displaying all system specifications from the driver versions to the exact hardware components of the PC. In addition to providing detailed benchmark results, 3DMark2001 compares the performance of the PC against a Performance Database containing over 2 million diagnostic system results. This allows users to compare their own results with data submitted by other users from around the world.

The Professional Edition of 3DMark2001 also features a playable game demo where users can actually play the first benchmark test scene. This feature was included as a direct result of suggestions and feedback collected from MadOnion.com's global base of users.

"Since the release of the first version of 3DMark in 1998, we've been continually striving to improve our benchmarks to help gamers from around the world maximize their experiences and PC performance," said Nathan Harley, Vice President, Marketing, MadOnion.com. "3DMark2001 meets this goal by supporting DirectX 8 and providing detailed 3D performance measurements for existing systems and developing challenging, new tests for current, cutting-edge hardware, as well as technologies yet to be released."

Important New Features of 3DMark2001

• Support for Microsoft DirectX®8
• 3 new game tests plus a fourth game test using DirectX®8 hardware accelerated features* (A fully DX8 compliant 3D accelerator is required for running this test.)
• DirectX®8 feature tests showing Vertex Shaders, Pixel Shaders and Point Sprites
• DOT3 and Environment Mapped Bump Mapping tests
• Support for texture compression
• Full Scene Anti-aliasing (FSAA)
• An awesome new demo, which features an original soundtrack and is guaranteed to push your system to its outermost limits
• An interactive game demo of one of the game tests
• ResultBrowser2001 for easy analysis of your benchmark results
• New Online ResultBrowser
• Batch Run Wizard and Batch Run Command Line Automation
• Image Quality Tests

Pricing and Availability

3DMark2001 will be available for free public download from www.MadOnion.com at 4pm PST today (March 13, 2001). All existing 3DMark2000 PRO licenses can be upgraded for $24.95 USD. For further 3DMark-related information, please refer to www.MadOnion.com.

In addition to the full and comprehensive online benchmarking features in 3DMark2001, MadOnion.com has also released the enhanced commercial Professional Edition of 3DMark2001, priced at $39.95 USD, created for benchmarking professionals with more demanding measurement needs. The enhanced features of the PRO version include:

• ResultBrowser2001
• Easy-to-use program for advanced result comparisons
• Image Quality Testing with Reference Images
• Batch Run Wizard to run multiple resolutions and color depths more easily
• Batch Run Command Line Automation
• Bonus: A playable game demo based on Game Test #1

About MadOnion.com

MadOnion.com is a leading provider of PC performance information and web services. Powered by an Internet-based engine, MadOnion.com is known around the world for its benchmark products and information services including, the 3DMark Series (most recently with 3DMark2001) and Video2000, as well as the BAPCo/MadOnion.com products WebMark2001 and the SYSmark Series (including the upcoming SYSmark2001). MadOnion.com has offices in San Jose, Toronto and Helsinki. For more information, please visit www.MadOnion.com.

3DMark and MadOnion.com are trademarks of MadOnion.com Ltd. MAX-FX TechnologyT is a trademark of Remedy Entertainment, Ltd. All other brands and names are property of their respective holders.

For more information please refer to http://www.MadOnion.com or contact:

Nathan Harley
Vice President, Marketing
MadOnion.com
nathan@MadOnion.com,

Or

Heather Steele
High Road Communications
416-368-8348
hsteele@highroad.com

Sales information:

Tero Sarkkinen
Chief Commercial Officer
MadOnion.com
tero@MadOnion.com