Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!att!linac!midway!msuinfo!buster.cps.msu.edu!alles
From: alles@buster.cps.msu.edu (Jeff Alles)
Subject: Re: speed loss
Message-ID: <1991Apr20.072004.3915@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>
Originator: alles@buster.cps.msu.edu
Sender: news@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu
Reply-To: alles@buster.cps.msu.edu (Jeff Alles)
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Michigan State University
References: <9104181535.AA28525@apple.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Apr 91 07:20:04 GMT

In article <9104181535.AA28525@apple.com> THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET ("Throop,Henry B") writes:
>
>Do other computers (Mac, IBM, for example) also suspend the CPU occasionally
>to refresh the DRAMs, or do they have a seperate coprocessor or something
>like that to do it? 

Other computers definitely have to pause to refresh their RAM.  They are
designed with this factor in mind with a preset refresh interval.  In fact,
I have a program for IBM PC compatables which will change the delay
which is used, to a larger value.  This reduces the ammount of time spent
refreshing the RAM.  However, if the delay is set too long, the computer
starts to bug out as the bits start to fade.  Using this program, an
increase of 5-10% is possible on most machines.

Jeff Alles
alles@cps.msu.edu