One reason, that P4 would be about 3-7x faster, and even faster if the code really took advantage of the newer processors. JackOTradez wrote:
Folks, this discussion is amusing me. You are approaching it from the wrong angle. Fractint is still the BEST of the fractal programs, but it is a 16 bit DOS app and you are trying to get it to work in a 32 (soon to be 64) bit WinDoZe world. Forget it! You will frustrate yourself into a padded cell! There are 2 ways to deal with this.
1) Set up a dual boot with your WinXP; run Fractint in Win9X or native DOS. FORGET WinXP!
2) Best way: Get an old system, load DOS or Win9X on it, and dedicate it to Fractint. No problems, no hassles. I use my P4-2GHz / WinXP system for all my "real" work, internet, coding, graphics, video/multimedia, etc.
I have 2 older systems, P3-733 and P2-300. I have DOS on these and they are dedicated 24/7 to Fractint. All is perfect. I then just transfer the GIF files to the P4/XP system for further manipulation / videos etc. (no floppy, use a USB flash drive!)
You can buy P2 and P3 systems for around $100 now, even cheaper, at computer shows and some mail-order places. What's the problem? Why try messin' with XP and video drivers? A wise man sayeth: when there are more than one solutions to a problem, the simplest is best.
Don't have Win9X installation CD? You can get these now dirt cheap also online or at computer shows. I have the original DOS 6.22 installation floppies; there are 3; less than 5 Meg total. If there is enuf interest, I can post them on my web site for download.
JoTz
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