#MS-DOS
Don —
Again, let me say that my figures of 15-30% for an 80386-80387
build of AutoCAD are incorrect. Duff's initial test results indicate a
possible increase in the 10-15% range, which I don't think justifies a new
build of AutoCAD specific to that chip combination.
In any case, I have no doubt that the vast majority of DOS-based
AutoCAD workstations would realize some major performance gains, far
beyond the 15-30% range, if they were optimized for performance. The
number of systems without BUFFERS=30 (or higher) statements in the
CONFIG.SYS file, without sufficient ext/exp memory for a reasonable
amount of extended I/O page space, without fast math co-processors or fast
hard disk drives, and without optimized disk drives absolutely boggles my
mind and raises my blood pressure.
Besides, can someone please tell me what in the heck is this
fascination with hardware as a solution to everyone's CAD problems as
regards design throughput? I maintain that a client's cash is much better
spent first on high-quality training for the operators and managers who
will use the systems, and second on the fastest hardware this side of the
Pecos.
The point I'm trying to make is that there are a number of ways that
dealers and customers can improve AutoCAD performance right now, without
depending on us to release a chip-set specific version.
— Brad
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