Subject: Re: vga graphics console benchmarks.
To: Andrew Gillham <gillham@ameritech.net>
From: Bang Jun-Young <bjy@mogua.org>
List: tech-kern
Date: 01/30/2001 21:07:24
Andrew Gillham wrote:
> 
> Ok, here are my numbers using 5000 lines of uuencoded kernel.
> vgafb wscons code:
> 0.0u 9.2s 0:09.29 99.3% 0+0k 0+1io 0pf+0w
> 
> orig wscons code:
> 0.0u 0.1s 0:00.19 84.2% 0+0k 0+1io 0pf+0w
> 
> xterm:
> 0.0u 0.0s 0:00.36 0.0% 0+0k 0+1io 0pf+0w
> 
> This is on a -current Duron 950 system with a TNT2 Ultra and X 4.0.2.
> 
> So, it is quite a bit slower.. but still very nice to have. :)  I wonder

The VGA raster driver will be much faster if it is written to use 
functionality of accelarated graphics cards:

	- a few MB linear framebuffer. Currently it's suffering from 
	  tiny 64kB framebuffer (due to poor PC design?).
	- 32-bit memcpy or bitblt. The design of standard VGA also 
	  limits most display memory operation to byte length (8-bit).

> how hard it would be to allow switching back and forth with text mode?

Another good feature to have. :) It would be a little harder, but not 
impossible at all. I'll put it on the bottom of the to-do list.

Jun-Young

--
Bang Jun-Young <bjy@mogua.org>