I can verify that *some* floating point functioncs (basic ones ususally
ie +, -, etc) can be emulated faster than the stock 80387 or 80387sx
co-processor can do them. The majority of functions can not be emulated
faster though.
-Matt Pritchard
Graphics Engine and Optimization Specialist
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Uncle Roger [SMTP:sinasohn_at_crl.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 1997 6:08 PM
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> Subject: Re: 387 emulators (was: Wanted:387 SX)
>
> At 05:07 PM 10/20/97 +0000, you wrote:
> >> 2) I saw several emulators, but the only one I found that actually
> worked
> >> well, the file was called "FRANKE87" and was German in origin. It
> actually
> >> fooled AutoCad 10 into believing there was a co-processor chip on
> my 386SX
> >> and actually did speed up FP instructions (measured with CheckIt).
> >Not. Autocad is processor heavy program and better unload that FP to
>
> >that coprocessor result in even powerful system when using the
> >suitable s/w like autocad.
>
> IIRC, Autocad *requires* a mathco, so one has a choice of a) buying a
> mathco
> (used to be $$$), b) running with an emulator, or c) not running
> autocad.
>
> As to whether the system will run faster with or without a software
> mathco
> emulator, I must admit, it would seem obvious that an emulator would
> only
> slow the system down (by using more Cpu time to handle the emulator
> than
> going straight to the CPU -- kinda like buying direct from the mfr and
> eliminating the middleman) but I cannot say that that's true without
> testing it.
>
> The FRANKE87 program may be really good at what it does, enough to
> make a
> difference when compared to Intel's idea of FP math. I have to say
> that if
> Merch says he measured the difference and the emulator is faster, I'll
> take
> his word for it until proven wrong.
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> O-
>
> Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad
> sinasohn_at_crl.com that none but madmen
> know."
> Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
> San Francisco, California
> http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/
Received on Wed Oct 22 1997 - 14:01:20 BST