3D Mark 05 CPU test question

[Unfocused]

I downloaded 3D Mark 05 to compare the WarCat 5.11 and the Omega 5.12 drivers. The 3 game tests ran at 7-8 fps and looked really nice, with sweet effects and were "soft" (even though AA was off). Then came the CPU tests which rendered two of the previous game test scenes, but with worse graphics, "ripped" edges and cheaper effects. They ran at 1-2fps.

My question is, how do the CPU tests work. Despite having worse graphics, they perform worse. It's a bit confusing. How can they put the strain on the CPU if it's the GPU that's responsible for rendering?

EDIT: And STFU if you want to brag about your fps

 

[3ssence]

The cpu tests are designed to benchmark the cpu, not the gpu. They have no bearing towards the actual 3dmark score you get at the end. They rarely run above 2-3 fps, so don't worry about that.

 

[Asus]

When people run regular games as benchmarks at low resolution the GPU is doing the work still but the CPU has a bigger impact on the results.

But the CPU is doing the calculations with 3Dmark in that mode and other similar tests, I believe.

 

[3ssence]

When people run regular games as benchmarks at low resolution the GPU is doing the work still but the CPU has a bigger impact on the results.

But the CPU is doing the calculations with 3Dmark in that mode and other similar tests, I believe.

That is the same impression i am under, and i am fairly sure the correct one

:E