eddman wrote on 2023-08-17, 12:09:
Make sure Voodoo 3's render threads count is not set above 2. Change windows' power plan to "High Performance". If it still doesn't help, then it probably means your i7 is not powerful enough to emulate a PII 333; choose a slower PII. If still slow, try a Pentium 1.
It must be noted that certain games have performance issues with v17, regardless of the chosen emulated CPU.
I think the same. On an AMD Athlon 64 X2 from 2006 I was able to emulate an 486DX-50 with WinBIOS machine setting at full speed.
On an Mac Pro with Xeon processors, I was able to emulate a Pentium Overdrive 63 with WinBIOS machine setting already (at full speed).
A Pentium 133 MHz was possible, too, with some performance drops.
On an i7, depending on its single core performance, a fast Pentium MMX (166 or higher) or a Pentium Pro might be possible, even! 😃
The Pentium Pro is worth a try insofar, because it had a close relationship with the Pentium II architecture.
PS: Here's a tip. Older OSes like DOS or Windows 3.1x and Windows 9x do use idle loops.
That causes VMs to run at 100% CPU sage, even if nothing is happening.
Same problem exists for more advanced emulators, in theory.
To fix that problem, there are utilities that can be used.
- DOSIDLE, for DOS. Uses APM BIOS or the HLT command to let the CPU sleep.
The HLT instruction is available since late 486 processors.
- WQGHLT, for Windows 3.x; it is a CPU load reduction tool that's implemented as a VXD.
It will run on ring-0 and needs Windows running in 386 Ehnanced Mode.
- Raine/AmnHLT 1.0, for Windows 9x.
Technically, these systems should have powersaving featues on their own (POWER.EXE on DOS, APM support in Windows 3.1x setup etc), but they rarely work for whatever reasons. 🤷♂️
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In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel
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