486quake: Code optimizations to run better on non-Pentium processors. \ VOGONS

486quake: Code optimizations to run better on non-Pentium processors.

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First post, by Logic

Posted on 2025-12-17, 13:55

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Hi guys.
A search didn't show any discussion of 486quake here, hence this post.
(I have no experience with 486quake...)

486quake
https://github.com/goshhhy/486quake

this repository contains 486quake, a fork of the original Quake sources with MS-DOS support restored, targeting era-appropriate hardware from the time of Quake's release.

486quake does not add substantial functionality or bugfixes over the original Quake release. instead, it focuses on further optimizing the engine, and re-optimizing portions of it to run better on non-Pentium processors.

despite the name, 486quake is not exclusively targeted at 486 processors. it has specific assembly optimizations for Intel 486, Pentium, and Cyrix 486 processors, and most other x86-compatible processors will work with at least one of these builds. non-intel processors are also supported, though they will only benefit from broader engine optimizations in 486quake, and not dedicated hand-optimized assembly.

486quake does not currently address 64-bit portability issues, and is not tested on 64-bit systems. it will likely only work properly on 32-bit platforms.

Reply 1 of 6, by douglar

Posted on 2025-12-17, 20:43

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So the readme.md notes suggest a 15% to 20% performance gain. I suppose that could help an overclocked 486 move into "playable" territory.

Reply 2 of 6, by mwdmeyer

Posted on 2025-12-18, 05:51

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The benchmarks listed on the github page under PC Chips M919 (Socket 3) seem a bit odd.

The 5x86 shouldn't be that much faster than the DX4 if all things are equal. Would be good to see if L2 cache makes much difference.

Also, the latest commit for this is for Nintendo 64 support! Which seems odd.

I think this is a cool project but thought there would be higher speed improvements. Wishful thinking maybe!

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Reply 3 of 6, by NeoG_

Posted on 2025-12-18, 06:38

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mwdmeyer wrote on 2025-12-18, 05:51:

The 5x86 shouldn't be that much faster than the DX4 if all things are equal. Would be good to see if L2 cache makes much difference.

It does appear to be a score closer to a 5x86 running at 160

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Reply 4 of 6, by feipoa

Posted on 2025-12-18, 07:06

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It would be neat if it had Cyrix 5x86 specific optimisations. Does it?

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Reply 5 of 6, by marxveix

Posted on 2025-12-18, 07:19

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If we talk about optimizatsions, i would like to see amd k6-2/3 3dnow at Quake1, but those are bit newer amd cpus, than regular k6.

There was such Quake1 build, but its lost in time: Re: MMX/3DNow!/SSE usage

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Reply 6 of 6, by feipoa

Posted on 2025-12-21, 14:29

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I assume we merely drop 486quake.exe into our DOS Quake folder and run it?

I ran a quick comparison on a Cyrix 5x86-133/2x. I have left sound enabled, as well as the mouse.

Quake 1.06 (shareware) = 18.9 fps
Quake 1.08 = 19.7 fps
486quake = 21.1 fps
586quake = 20.0 fps

It looks like the 486/586 code optimisations are using version 1.09, so this may not be a fair comparison.

When 486quake loads, the screen gets pretty dark. Not sure why. Normally the screen lightens up with I have a Matrox G200 with a Voodoo2 installed, even if the Voodoo2 isn't used. But in this case, instead of lightening, the screen gets quite dark.

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