...the Need for Speed!

Since comparing NVDI versions, and finding NVDI 2.51 for pure software acceleration was the fastest, at least on an STFM running at 8MHz under TOS 2.06 and in High resolution with 4MB of RAM, I thought I would do a quick and dirty comparison of said NVDI against other software accelerators / BLiTTERs . 

Turbo ST

Turbo ST is another well known software accelerator for the ST, and was distributed by HiSoft in the UK.  It is extremely easy to install, as it solely runs as an ACCessory.  It doesn't have many features, but this means it does have a small footprint, at least with version 1.2, which isn't the last version of Turbo ST, but a version I could get my hands on.  So how fast is Turbo ST v1.2?

Again, as per my NVDI comparisons, I compared it to my STFM running in High resolution with 4MB of RAM under TOS 2.06.

As with my NVDI tests, the referenced GEMBench STFM test was performed in Medium resolution under TOS 1.04, so the figures will not be at 100%, with benchmarks showing my STFM running in High resolution, and against TOS 2.06.  Again, I could have re-baselined, however the timings are the important figures.

 Baseline

Display:   141%

CPU:       99% 

Average: 118%

Now to see how Turbo ST v1.2 speeds things up, using the same referenced STFM test, and again running under TOS 2.06 and with 4MB in High resolution.

Well I have to say, across the board in High resolution at least, that really is quite disappointing, with a very marginal increase in speed on VDI and BLiTTing routines et al, and a slight decrease on VDI Enquire.  Nevertheless there is a slight turbo boost to be had.

 Baseline   Turbo ST 1.2

Display:   141%           155%

CPU:          99%                  99%

Average: 118%           124%

Quick ST

Perhaps a little less known, Quick ST is another software accelerator for the ST series of computers, which appeared in the Public Domain.  Again it is easy to install, as it runs in your Auto folder, and also has an ACCessory with a few features, such as mouse acceleration.  It similarly has a small footprint, although slightly larger than Turbo ST, and thoughtfully can be separated into either Colour or Mono versions to minimise RAM usage.  Very well then, how fast is it?

That's a little better, at least with this version of Quick ST, although again this is not the last version of this software, which may or may not be faster, merely one I managed to get hold of with minimal fuss.  However again VDI routines overall improve, over that of Turbo ST v1.2.  Like our friend Turbo however, VDI Enquire takes a further hit over stock.

 Baseline     Turbo ST 1.2      Quick ST 1.5

Display:   141%             155%             174%

CPU:          99%                     99%                        99%

Average: 118%             124%              131%

Warp 9

Warp speed captain!  Warp 9, another well known software accelerator for the ST, TT and Falcon series of TOS compatibles from CodeHead Technologies.  With Warp 9 v3.80, the seeming last version of Warp 9, it comes with many more features than the aforementioned, such as being able to change the system font, with some nice alternatives, the ability to change the desktop background, and a mouse accelerator etc...  Again it is easy to install in your Auto folder, along with the accompanying ACCessory.  It is indeed a nice piece of software, and larger than either Turbo ST or Quick ST.  However can we really reach warp speed?

 Baseline     Turbo ST 1.2      Quick ST 1.5      Warp 9 3.80

Display:   141%             155%             174%               388%

CPU:          99%                     99%                        99%                        99%

Average: 118%             124%               131%                  196%

That is quite impressive speed across the board, and feels a premium software application.  Maybe not quite warp speed, but a welcomed improvement by far, and is champ of the best of the rest, at least with the versions tested here.  However pitted against the fastest NVDI has to offer, which despite NVDI 5.03 being the last version, is actually NVDI 2.51 (see below), at least where an STFM is concerned, running in High resolution with 4MB under TOS 2.06, it doesn't quite top the table.

 Baseline     Turbo ST 1.2      Quick ST 1.5      Warp 9 3.80      NVDI 2.51

Display:   141%             155%             174%               388%                 508%

CPU:          99%                     99%                        99%                        99%                        99%

Average: 118%             124%               131%                 196%                   224%

Conclusion

It is perhaps not fair to draw an absolute conclusion, given this is quite a dirty comparison, given the lack of exploration I have performed on particularly Turbo ST and Quick ST, and the latter of their versions.  However it does give an indication, and where Warp 9 is concerned it is a very complete package, where your mileage may very well differ under for example, Medium resolution as it can be faster than NVDI 5.03.  However it does not perform as good in High resolution, whereas NVDI does, and that is more important to me.  So it would appear NVDI is king, as it has by and large been heralded, and is unequivocally when it comes to features, but with NVDI 2.51 prevailing in speed overall.  Again, this is where an STFM is concerned, under TOS 2.06, and again in High resolution.  All things considered, these alternative software accelerators are worth exploring, certainly if RAM is at a premium, for ease of installation, or if you have little use for font handling.

It has been an interesting journey comparing these software accelerators, inclusive of NVDI versions.  It has at least given me re-assurance that the copy of NVDI 3.02 I purchased back in the 90s, is still my preferred choice, given it has the smallest footprint of all NVDI versions, with TrueType, GDOS and Speedo font support, and is ever so marginally slower than NVDI 2.51, the fastest software accelerator under test on my STFM, in High resolution, and under TOS 2.06 with 4MB of RAM.

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