Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!snorkelwacker!bloom-beacon!CS.UTAH.EDU!hutching%elan
From: hutching%elan@CS.UTAH.EDU (Brad Hutchings)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re: X/Windows Performance Query
Message-ID: <8910231449.AA08146@elan.utah.edu>
Date: 23 Oct 89 14:49:13 GMT
References: <8910220252.AA09500@expo.lcs.mit.edu>
Sender: daemon@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU
Organization: The Internet
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(Keith Packard writes:)

>This question begs some more information.  It is very important for you
>to describe what sort of operations you will be using X for.  Asking
>for the "best" X server is like asking for the "best" workstation.

Of course this question begs additional information. At this point in time,
I have little to offer. I am in initial stages of a software effort
which is only now being defined. What I do know at this point: the final
application must run on Suns and 386 PC's. That was written into the
contract for which I am working.

>The best way of getting the most performance/dollar is to benchmark the
>actual applications you'll be using on a variety of platforms.  Lacking this
>capability (not too many people want to port a large collection of
>applications), you can use a benchmark program (like x11perf) which will
>allow you to examine some individual aspects of the system which are
>applicable to you needs.

I can't benchmark the application because it does not exist yet.
What is xperf and where can I get it?

Although I agree with what you said, what you said has little to do
with what I asked. I was and am interested in the experiences others
have had with X on 386 platforms. I did not ask for a single number, nor
am I looking for the "best" X server. Where did it say that in my original
posting? I am not all that interested in any "hard" numbers regarding
the performance of any specific server. I am looking for experienced users
(with regard to a 386 pc) who can give their opinions. Direct experience
is almost always superior to numbers listed in a slick marketing brochure.

Regarding performance numbers: You're preaching to the choir.

Brad L. Hutchings
hutching.cs.utah.edu