
                                CPUTEST

Test #1 - Memory Move - 8 million bytes                      (REP MOVSB)
Test #2 - Register to Register - 8 million times             (MOV ES,AX)
Test #3 - Memory to Register - 8 million times               (MOV DX,Dummy)
Test #4 - Memory Move - 100 million bytes                    (REP MOVSB)
Test #5 - Extended (32 bit) Reg to Ex Reg - 8 million times  (MOV EAX,EBX)
Test #6 - Extended (32 bit) Mem. location to 32 bit Reg      (MOV EAX,BigDummy)
Test #7 - 32-bit Memory Moves (not implemented yet)          (REP MOVSD)

Results are in timer ticks (18.2 per second)

                        Ŀ
                             JANUARY, 1994     
                                               
                         NUMBER OF RESULTS: 89 
                        


Ŀ
      System Description                   #1  #2 #3  #4  #5  #6  #7 
Ĵ
8086-8 MHz - Ian Harris[70374,3166]       340 441 6304246 N/AN/A  N/A
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ

QTY: 01

Ĵ
286-?? MHz - 640K - DOS 5.0 - FAS         160 372 5191950 N/AN/A  N/A
No Cache -                                                           
Ĵ
286-12 MHz  - 640K - DOS 5.0              107 327 4441346 N/AN/A  N/A
No Cache - Communication's Computer                                  
Ĵ
286-?? MHz  - 1 Meg Ram - DOS 3.3  - R&M   70 176 233 867 N/A N/A N/A
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
286-12 MHz  - 2 Meg Ram - Co-Proc. - 5.0   77 215 282 961 N/A N/A N/A
No Cache    (my personal computer)                                   
Ĵ
286-12 MHz  - 1meg Ram - DOS 6.0   -       73 183 234 905 N/A N/A N/A
No Cache  Gerrit Berkouwer[72634,1472]                               
Ĵ
286-?? MHz  - 640K Ram - DOS 5.0   - M&B   60 190 249 742 N/A N/A N/A
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
286-?? MHz  - 1 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0  - T&D   55 176 228 677 N/A N/A N/A
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
286-?? MHz  - 640K Ram - DOS 5.0   - WATN  54 133 178 ??? N/A N/A N/A
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ

QTY: 08

Ĵ
386?X-??MHz - 3 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Kathie104 316 4071296 330 491    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-??MHz - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 -ATIBURN 88 239 3461090 233 390    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - B&MNEP 78 162 210 956 167 229    
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386?X-16MHz - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - G&W    61 185 235 734 191 270    
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Sandy  58 171 238 717 184 296    
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 6.0 - Spare  54 158 300 676            
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-40MHz - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 6.0 - TERRY1 50  67 115 616  74 134    
No Cache - SHUTTLE motherboard                                       
Ĵ
386SX-40MHz - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 6.0 - TERRY2 50  66 116 634  69 130    
No Cache - SHUTTLE motherboard                                       
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - Tony's 45 157 201 567            
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 5 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Becky  45 158 202 570            
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 1 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Carrie 40 153 196 500 160 235    
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ
386SX-16MHz - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Paul   38 147 192 476 158 476    
No Cache                                                             
Ĵ

QTY: 12

Ĵ
386DX-??MHz - 2 Meg Ram (LION3) - DOS 5.0  50  80 114 627  90 140    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 6.0 - ATIARDEN  46  62 107 575  69 126    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 3.3 - SERVER    44  86 146 541  93 159    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - MADISON   42 115 165 514 115 187    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - ATIHOP    42 110 139 520 116 163    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 6.0 - CONSUMER  47  94 146 592 118 192    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - ATIBLOOM  41 128 163 511 115 186    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - ATILINC   41 109 139 519 116 164    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - BRANT     33 130 161 414 137 194    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-??MHz - 2 Meg Ram (LION4) - DOS 5.0  37  73  91 456  77 109    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - MANKATO   35  67  80 431            
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - ALTCOLL1  35  63  78 428  66  86    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - ATIBAKER  34  60  72 429  63  86    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-25 - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 6.0 - Paul Reid 33  96 128 413            
Cache Status Unknown - [71031,3603]                                  
Ĵ
386SL-25MHz/7SL -18 Meg Ram/6.0/ 64K Cache 32  94 113 401            
Toshiba T3300SL Laptop/E. Perea 76667,2643                           
Ĵ
386??-??MHz - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - A&S    31  43  49 387  55  60    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-?? - 2 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0             31 116 144 388            
Cache Status Unknown - Bloomington                                   
Ĵ
386DX-??MHz - 2 Meg Ram (LION2) - DOS 5.0  31  71 115 385  75 133    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 640K RAM - DOS 3.3 - SHARON     30  95 119 376 100 143    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 4 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - DAKOTA    26  82 103 323  87 123    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 768K RAM - DOS 3.3 - COLLEEN    23  74  93 295  78 113    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 4 Meg RAM - DOS 6.0 - NORTH     21  55  66 262  56  73    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - SMITH     21  53  65 266  56  72    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386?X-?? - 2 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - DODGE     19  70  85 239  75 103    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-?? - 4 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - HEART     19  56  68 229  59  76    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-40 - 4 Meg RAM - DOS 6.0 - ASTI      17  57  69 208            
128K Cache - Server                                                  
Ĵ
386DX-??MHz - 4 Meg - DOS 5.0 - DAKLINC    16  52  64 204  56  71    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
386DX-33MHz - 1 Meg - 64K Ext Cache     On 16  48  59 200  52  67    
Jay Callahan  DOS 5.0                  Off 45  60  94 567  75 113    
Ĵ
386DX-40MHz - 4 Meg - 128K Ext Cache - 6.0 15  48  48 189  51  65    
Jon Klein [73200,1254] AMD                                           
Ĵ
386DX-40MHz - 4 Meg - 256K Ext Cache - 6.0 15  51  62 185            
Steven A. Frare [76646,1175]                                         
Ĵ
386DX-40MHz - 2 Meg - 128K Ext Cache - 5.0 15  48  58 183  51  66    
Richard's work machine with no Cache--->   44  59  92 549  73 110    
Ĵ

QTY: 31

Ĵ
486SX-25MHz - 4 Meg/70ns            ext on 22  58  47 272  59  52    
256K Ext Cache - DOS 6.2           ext off 22  58  47 285  59  52    
Intel/SER motherboard - ISA bus                                      
Hugh Blair[73114,1672]                                               
Ĵ
486SX-25MHz - 4 Meg - 256K Ext Cache       21  61  50 259  61  54    
Max Van Horn                                                         
Ĵ
486SX-25MHz - 8 Meg/70ns/QEMM6.03  both on 20  59  47 255  59  52    
DOS 6.0/4DOS 5.0/256K SRAM        both off 69 255 365 867 255 365    
Intel CPU                  ext off /int on 28  58  47 352  58  52    
MB: 4386-VC-HD Cache Sys   ext on /int off 32  93 106 395  93 106    
Ram Chipset: VIA Technology                                          
AWARD Modular BIOS V4.2                                              
Gerrit Berkouwer[72634,1472]                                         
Ĵ
486SX-??MHz - 4 Meg - DOS 5.0 - NC&E       20  43  49 247  48  52    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ

QTY: 04

Ĵ
486?X-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - Woodbury  75 228 390 927            
Cache Status Unknown <turbo not on!>                                 
Ĵ
486?X-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - BELL      39  66  53 482  65  58    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
486DX-25 - 12 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0            32  59  47 404  58  53    
Richard's home machine - 8K int. Cache                               
Ĵ
486DX2-66MHz - 8 Meg RAM/70ns      both on 31  79 105 383  79 105    
Intel/OPTI 486VL-BUS - ISA  ext off/int on 66 219 259 818 219 260    
256K Ext Cache - DOS 6.2    ext on/int off 31  79 105 383  79 105    
  Turbo On                       both off 66 219 259 818 219 260    
Ĵ
  Turbo Off                       both on 33  46 118 411  46 118    
                            ext off/int on143 219 3281788 219 328    
                            ext on/int off 35  78 105 438  78 105    
Hugh Blair[73114,1672]            both off 66 219 259 818 219 260    
Ĵ
486DX-33 - 8 Meg RAM - PS/1 - DOS 5.0      28                        
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
IBM Thinkpad 750C 486DXSL/33 MHz -DOS 6.01 22  45  35 272  44  40    
Jaren Levitt [75720,3462] 20 Meg/8K Cache                            
Ĵ
486DX2-50                         cache on 22  29  26 284            
8 meg ram - ext cache - dos 6          off 51 122 223 642            
Gerrit Berkouwer[72634,1472]                                         
Ĵ
486DX2-66 - 32 Meg/70ns - ISA bus       on 22  22  17 268  21  20    
MCCI NICE MB Ver. 1.2 - 0K Cache - DOS 6                             
Paul M. Blais[72103,111]                                             
Ĵ
486?X-?? - ? Meg Ram              - SEWARD 20  61  48 254  60  54    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
486DX-33 - 8 Meg Ram - File Server - ARES  20  44  35 261  45  41    
cpu with int & ext Cache on - DOS 5.0                                
Ĵ
486DX-?? - 8 Meg Ram - DOS 6.0 - P&G       19  50  40 220  49  44    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
486DX-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 6.0 - ALTGLAD   18  46  36 226  45  41    
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
486DX-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - NPDODGE   18  49  39 221  48  43    
Cache Status Unknown - Novell                                        
Ĵ
486DX-33 - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 6.2             17  48  49 219            
Cyrix 486DLC - 1K int/256K cache                                     
Paul Latour [74720,1741]                                             
Ĵ
486DX-?? - 4 Meg Ram - DOS 5.0 - C&W       17  45  36 216  45  41    
Cache Status Unknown - Lantastic                                     
Ĵ
486DX-33 - 20 Meg Ram/60ns - ISA bus    on 16  43  35 196  44  39    
Intel - 128K cache - DOS 6.2       ext off 20  43  35 249  44  40    
Jim Marshall[72154,3724]                                             
Ĵ
486DX-?? - 8 Meg RAM - DOS 5.0 - TitleOne  16  46  41 198            
Cache Status Unknown                                                 
Ĵ
486DX-33MHz - 8 Meg RAM/DOS 6/128K Cache   16  44  39 199            
Emilio I. Perea [76667,2643]                                         
Ĵ
486DX-50 - 8 Meg/70ns - ISA bus            16  29  23 200  29  26    
MCCI NICE MB Ver 1.0? - 64K Cache - DOS ?                            
Paul M. Blais[72103,111]                                             
Ĵ
486DX-33 - 32 Meg - (ISA bus assumed)      15  44  35 189  44  34    
HP NetServer 4/33 LM                                                 
Paul M. Blais[72103,111]                                             
Ĵ
486SLC2-66MHz - 8 Meg - 60ns RAM           14  15  17 171  20  22    
Cyrix CPU, Bus Unknown - DOS 6.2                                     
Brian Lendl [71221,630] - 16K int cache                              
Ĵ
486DLC-40MHz - 8 Meg - 6.1 - 128K cache on 14  33  36 183  36  40    
Cyrix CPU, ISA bus, 70ns RAM           off 36  33  36 456  37  40    
Robert C. Shaw, PO Box 60454,Phoenix, AZ                             
A DLC seems to be an "super-chip" upgrade                            
Ĵ
486DX-50MHz - 4 Meg RAM/DOS 6/256K Cache   14  29  26 170            
Ian Henderson [100010,2156] *Nice guy*                               
Ĵ
Magitronic 486DX2-66MHz VLB-8 Meg  both on 15  22  18 195  22  19    
DOS 6.2/256K cache/70 ns    ext off/int on 19  21  18 243  22  20    
John E. Cunio[70365,227]          both off 57 154 190 714 154 192    
711 Saldano Ave., Coral Gables, FL  33143                            
Ĵ
486DX2-66MHz - 32 Meg RAM/DOS 6.01         15  21  17 193  22  20    
Jaren Levitt [75720,3462]  256K Cache                                
Ĵ
486DX2-66MHz - 8 Meg RAM/DOS 5/256K Cache  15  22  17 184  22  20    
Ian Harris [70374,3166]  *Nice Guy*                                  
Ĵ
486DX2-90MHz - 32 Meg/70ns - 256K Cache     7  17  13  96  16  15    
Intel/Diamond FastBus - ISA Bus - DOS 6.2                            
Mike Butler[72662,1332] - QEMM 7.03                                  
Ĵ

QTY: 28

Ĵ
486DX-50 - 16 Meg 60ns - *EISA*            12  29  24 147  29  26    
256K L2 Cache - Karl Roos [73737,3226]                               
DOS 5.0 - AIR Motherboard                                            
Ĵ
486DX2-66 - 16 Meg 70ns - *EISA*   both on 11  21  17 144  22  19    
NICE Mini EISA M/B 256K     ext off/int on 16  22  17 192  22  20    
Paul M. Blais[72103,111]          both off 43 180 250 527 180 250    
Ĵ
486DX-50 - 8 Meg/70ns - *EISA* bus      on 10  29  23 127  29  26    
MCCI NICE MB Ver 1.0 - 256K Cache - DOS 6                            
Paul M. Blais[72103,111]                                             
Ĵ
486DX2-66 - 16 Meg 70ns - *EISA*   both on 10  22  18 130  22  19    
MCCI Super EISA rev. 1.2.1 256K writeback                            
Paul M. Blais[72103,111] QEMM7.03 & DOS6.0                           
Ĵ

QTY: 04

Ĵ
486DX2-50 - 24 Meg - *MCA* - DOS 5.0       23  29  23 279  29  27    
IBM Model 95-ALF (-0LF in the US) - Intel                            
No External Cache - Bob Eager[100016,2770]                           
Ĵ

QTY: 01

Ĵ
486DX3-100 MHz                                                       
( 1st person to send in a 486DX3 result  )                           
( will get a typeset result file and a   )                           
( disk with latest EXE, ASM & TXT file   )                           
Ĵ

QTY: 00

Ĵ
PENTIUM                                                              
( 1st person to send in a Pentium result )                           
( will get a typeset result file and a   )                           
( disk with latest EXE, ASM & TXT file   )                           
Ĵ

QTY: 00



 - Denotes impressive results



   The CPUTEST and the above data is hereby released into the Public Domain.



   This "project" was started to help me gain a better understanding of "raw"
CPU "power".  I wanted to upgrade my motherboard from a 286-12MHz and wanted
to see how a high-end 386 (cheaper) compared to a low-end 486 (more expensive).
Originally, I was only testing 8086-instructions, but as I moved into the
realm of testing higher-end machines, I added 32-bit specific instructions.
I really didn't like those benchmark programs that simply rate the "effective"
performance of a machine.  I wanted to know HOW they got those results and
WHAT they were testing.  The three (3) specific areas I'm testing are very
low-level - no matter what language you use, you will generate code that
uses these instructions.

    This program can be a benefit to both technicians and buyers.  I use it
to test the effective CPU strengths of my clients computers.  If they have
a wimpy CPU, this'll smoke it out.  Technicians can also benefit by testing
their own computers, comparing performance and perhaps saving money by
buying faster, cheaper computers.  (One client complained of lack of speed
on his 486 server.  A quick run of CPUTEST showed his computer was running
slower than my 286-12MHz!  Solution: Check his TURBO switch - it was off)

    If you find this program useful, all I ask is that you please drop me
either EMAIL via CompuServe (76447,3500) or a post card, describing your
system (what kind of CPU, MHz, how much RAM, DOS version & how much
CPU Cache - if any).  CPUTEST.EXE appends your results (as well as one-line
user-entered comment) to CPUTEST.TXT. 

>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<
>     Please run it 3 or 4 times, to get a consistant reading.  If you have   <
> cache, please alter your CMOS settings to turn your cache off and run the   <
> program another 3 or 4 times.  This will give a more accurate performance   <
> of your CPU.  Finally, if you could run a series of tests with the external <
> cache off and internal cache on, that would make the effects far more       <
> revealing.  In other words, run three sets of tests - one with all cache on,< 
> one with all cache off, and one with ext off/int on. Please report all      <
> results.                                                                    <
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<
    
    I also encourage you to pass this program and results chart along to 
friends & BBSes.  The wider it circulates, the more precise results I can get.

   In return, I'll maintain your name and address in my database of
"contributors".  Hopefully,this will become a widely accepted "benchmark"
program.  While I would like to send a new results chart to everyone that
sends in their information, I simply couldn't afford the postage.  However,
if you send in a *bunch* of results from different computers, that would
weigh heavily in your favor of getting a printout in the mail.  However, I
*do* maintain a current results chart (and the latest version of CPUTEST.EXE)
on Compuserve (GO IBMHW, LIB 4, [76447,3500]TEST.ZIP) and I will update the
list monthly.  Please prefix the filename with my CIS number, as there are
two different programs named TEST.ZIP in that forum.

   Please U.S. Mail results (if you cannot CIS EMAIL) to:
Tony Doimeadios, Post Office Box 431, Brunswick, GA  31521

Include a SASE and I will mail you the most recent copy of the results chart.



Thank You

Tony, December 1993



                         HOW TO USE YOUR RESULTS
 
 By themselves, the numbers generated by running CPUTEST on your computer
 aren't worth much.  It doesn't reveal your "effective speed", how many times
 faster you are over an original IBM-PC, or anything like that.  Your results
 should be taken in context with the results from the above chart to see how
 you "rank".  A lot of people ask, "Can't you derive a common set of numbers
 for a particular type of CPU and let that be the 'Standard'?"  A quick look
 at the chart for the 80386DX will tell you that the numbers range from a 
 high of 50 to a low of 15!  CPUTEST wasn't written to determine "CPU SPEED",
 merely measure performance.  
 
 My original question, "What motherboard gives me the most bang for the buck?"
 can be answered by examining this chart.  Why should I spend $350 for a 
 486DX-33 when for $105 I can buy a 386DX-40 and get (VERY!) comparable 
 results?!?  The only negative factor in buying the far cheaper 386DX-40
 would be you would be yet another generation behind the "newest" CPU, meaning
 you wouldn't have access to the small handful of 80486-specific instructions.
 I have YET to see a product that writes SPECIFICALLY for the 486.
 
 
Table 1   
=======           Comparing a 80386DX-40MHz to a 80486DX-33MHz
Ŀ
386DX-40MHz - 2 Meg - 128K Ext Cache - 5.0 15  48  58 183  51  66
Ĵ
486DX-33MHz - 8 Meg RAM/DOS 6/128K Cache   16  44  39 199        
Emilio I. Perea [76667,2643]                                     




                               OBSERVATIONS

 So far I've found that after a certain point, MEMORY MOVES do not
 gain any appreciable increase in speed.  Looking at the chart, you
 can see that there isn't much difference between a 486/33 and a 486/50.
 Perhaps after a certain point, RAM chip speed (70 ns, 60 ns, etc.) is a
 "barrier" to higher performance.

 However, the REGISTER OPERATIONS *do* pick up a lot from having a bigger CPU
 (486 -vs- 386) and faster cpu speed (50 MHz -vs- 33 MHz - a 50 MHz brings in
 29 clock ticks, while a 33 MHz takes 44!  A difference of *15*!).

 Also, caching doesn't help *as much* with register operations (30% faster)
 as compared with memory moves (56% faster).

 The 80486 is optimized differently than previous chips.  It performs
 MEMORY LOCATION-TO-REGISTER operations more efficiently than REGISTER-TO-
 REGISTER.  
 
 The EISA bus (486-50MHz) performed the REGISTER operations identically to
 the ISA bus of the same speed, however the MEMORY MOVES were faster than
 anything recorded.  The system has 70ns RAM, so that helps support the idea
 that the EISA design is what is making it have very good performance in the
 area of memory moves.  In fact, a computer-knowledgable person told me that
 the 32-bit data bus is why the MEMORY MOVES were so good.



                                   SOAPBOX

 I have read that the chip manufactorers are trying to make their
 cpu chips run programs (that are made with "inefficient" compilers) faster.
 There are a limited number of cpu registers, and some compilers are not
 optimized enough to use these registers (which had been the fastest way to 
 move info from 8088 to 80386) effectively.  Therefore, since the compilers
 aren't "smart" enough to use them, the chip makers are devoting more square
 area of silicon to allow these "memory-location to register" moves to run
 faster (fewer clock cycles) than "register-to-register" moves.  This gives
 the impression that the programs are "running faster than ever before".
 [                                                                          ]
 [         this is why the newer chips have such a heat problem             ]
 [                more silicon=more power=more heat                         ]
 [                                                                          ]
 
 What's happened, however, is that the tail is wagging the dog (so to speak).
 Intel stated the required number of clock cycles for every instruction of
 their cpu.  (Most) compiler makers did not sell compilers that optimized
 the final EXE for the fewest clock cycles.  They used inefficient
 instructions and sold millions of copies of their compilers.  
 
 Is this bad?  No, not really.  Is there a downside to all of this?  Yes.
 The only people that are really irked are assembly language programmers.
 Used to be, they could sit down and hand-tool a specific function that would
 beat the compiler's similar function (*if* it had something similar).  Now,
 with each instruction having a different "priority" from cpu to cpu, to
 simulate the same level of performance increase, we would have to detect the
 cpu (no big deal) and branch to one of *5* routines.  We would have one for
 the 8086/8088, one for the 80286 (we can safely skip the 80186/80188), one
 for the 80386, one for the 80486 and one for the Pentium.  We could almost
 have two sections - 80386 and below, and 80486 and higher.  There are very
 strong similarities between the 80486 & the Pentium, and I imagine the
 Hexium? (80686) would be closely related to the Pentium.  Therefore, the
 optimizing routines for the 486+, while not identical, would be close enough
 not to matter.

 Is this really worth worrying about?  It depends.  Wouldn't it be nice if
 OS/2 2.1 only needed 10 meg instead of 40 meg for HD storage??  Of course!
 I contend that it will ALWAYS be nice to have highly efficient DEVELOPMENT
 TOOLS.  The better your tools, the better of a product you can make.
 What if your favorite brand of C++ compiler compiled in 1/2 or 1/3 of the
 time??  Time=Money.  However, I'm afraid the future holds for more powerful
 processors optimized for inefficient compilers, and computers with tens of
 megs of RAM.  In that kind of world, who needs efficiency?





                    
                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Below are pieces of information I'd like to have.  If you don't know, that's
fine.  The more I know about your system, the better weight I can put with
your results.  I've included an example for you to use.  If I can get enough
responses with motherboards, I'll prepare a secondary chart, grouped by
motherboard namebrand.  This might help with selection of a namebrand when
you go to make your purchase.  Thank you!

Ŀ
CPU Manufacturer  ISA or      DOS      Amt of    RAM Chip CPU Size  
MotherBord Name    EISA     Version  Ext. Cache   Speed   & Speed   
Ĵ
 Intel              ISA      5.0        256K      60 ns   486DX2/66 
 NICE                                                               
Ĵ
                                                                    
                                                                    
Ĵ
                                                                    
                                                                    
Ĵ
                                                                    
                                                                    

