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| Click here to select a new forum. | | Using the new-build MicroMac Performer | Posted by: LaPorta on 2024-09-26 10:29:59
I got this thing at an insanely reasonable price, courtesy of @obsolete. This is the first accelerator of any kind I’ve ever had…I never seem to get lucky like some of you, every machine I ever find is almost always bone stock. I wasn’t sure what to expect…
My SE SuperDrive has 4 MB RAM, and a new BlueSCSI to replace my old v5 SCSI2SD. Initially had partitions with 6.0.8 and 7.1. I started the machine after putting the Performer under 7.1…and wasn’t immediately impressed. I figured this thing would make opening folders and the like under 7.1 a lot faster, but it failed to. Still was somewhat slow. So, I tried 6.0.8 and did notice a bit more pep. I confirmed via TattleTech that the CPU was recognized and working.
At this point, I was thinking of ways to see if the machine actually was faster. I happened upon the two most science-based tests I could think of: AfterDark and StuntCopter, of course! So, the Fish module in AfterDark would run incredibly slow on the 68000. I tried with the Performer and WOW…the fish were moving like race cars! Definitely speedier! Used StuntCopter 2.0, which runs at basically Mac Plus speed on a normal SE. with the accelerator, I needed to slow it by 4 to get it to play regularly.
Clearly, it is working well and is making things speedier in ways I may not always appreciate. Only downside is I lose my MacCON SE, but a SCSI WIFI solution should work, too. I just ditched 7.1 - no real need to use it that I can see.
One last thing: I have not experienced any sound issues with games that others have reported. Disk-based games don’t seem to be affected: the accelerator probably doesn’t work under their systems I would surmise, and the Performer control panel isn’t in the system folder, either.
A good addition thus far! | Posted by: JC8080 on 2024-09-27 04:29:11
You could use Speedometer 3.06 to do some benchmarks. If the card is working properly the CPU test should be about 3x faster than stock. I don't know if I've ever tried mine with System 7, Sytems 6 seems a lot more responsive with the accelerator vs. Stock.
I definitely have some audio issues with mine, maybe try Tetris? I believe that's what I used to confirm the audio issues with mine.
Which drivers are you using? I think I use the GemStart drivers. There are a few different drivers from that area that are supposedly the same thing with different branding. The GemStart drivers have a cool little animated startup icon | Posted by: LaPorta on 2024-09-27 04:31:44
The one I am using is the actual MicroMac driver. I’ll try clockometer and see what it says. | Posted by: JC8080 on 2024-09-27 04:34:25
For fun I'd recommend trying the GemStart driver just because of the startup animation, that sort of thing makes me smile. If I recall there are two versions of the driver, and the 2.x version is better for System 6. | Posted by: nathall on 2024-09-27 17:37:18
I definitely have some audio issues with mine, maybe try Tetris? I believe that's what I used to confirm the audio issues with mine. Tetris is a great one to demonstrate sound anomalies with accelerators. Some programs are not affected for whatever reason.
What is the CPU in a Performer? I have a 16Mhz Brainstorm in my SE. I call it the “SE/16.” 🙂 I grabbed the Brainstorm 20 or so years ago, brand new, for $20. As mentioned, you lose the expansion slot, but I’ve got an Asante EN/SC on it for Ethernet. I love that machine.
Also, pick up a extension called Zoomin’ that makes opening folders in the Finder super fast. | Posted by: LaPorta on 2024-09-27 18:17:03
Also, pick up a extension called Zoomin’ that makes opening folders in the Finder super fast. System 7? | Posted by: nathall on 2024-09-27 18:35:44
System 6.0.8 and 7.0.1 are all I’ve used it on. Works great on both. Probably others. | Posted by: JC8080 on 2024-09-27 20:35:38
What is the CPU in a Performer? It's a 16mhz '030. | Posted by: Chardonneret on 2024-10-26 08:02:47
You could use Speedometer 3.06 to do some benchmarks. If the card is working properly the CPU test should be about 3x faster than stock. I don't know if I've ever tried mine with System 7, Sytems 6 seems a lot more responsive with the accelerator vs. Stock.
I definitely have some audio issues with mine, maybe try Tetris? I believe that's what I used to confirm the audio issues with mine.
Which drivers are you using? I think I use the GemStart drivers. There are a few different drivers from that area that are supposedly the same thing with different branding. The GemStart drivers have a cool little animated startup icon Definitely sound issues with Klondike and Canfield. Otherwise fast but not so when accessing disk. SCSI and disk access speed's probably the bottleneck. | Posted by: LaPorta on 2024-10-26 10:44:17
Well, thus far, all the games I play seem unaffected. Some, such as Dark Castle and Shadowgate, might be unaffected due to playing them from floppies, and, without the driver, won't enable the accelerator anyhow. | | 1 |
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