Why do games run about 200% faster on my Palm IIIxe compared to my Palm Pilot?

I know the Palm IIIxe has a slightly better processor (something with "EZ" in the model name I think) but that's still 16 mhz, yet games run about 200% faster on the Palm IIIxe compared to my Palm Pilot. Why is there such a dramatic difference in game speed? What exactly did they change on the new processor and is there anyway to get the speeds more consistent? Would I have to underclock the IIIxe and/or overclock the Palm Pilot or is there an app that gets the IIIxe running at Palm Pilot speed?

Thanks


Edited by aab 2012-08-14 9:21 PM

I took a video with my new HD camera (Panasonic HC-V700) I'll post it to youtube later to show the dramatic speed difference.

That's really weird, I don't remember having problems with that on my IIIxe back in the day. I remember upgrading it to PalmOS 4.1 though ;P

The Dragonball EZ cpu is faster than the older Dragonball non-EZ cpus...despite the timing speed of 16mHz.

First of all, let me say that I don't actually know the answer to your question. It could be wait states or even a difference in the OS from 2, to 3 to 4. (Or it's probably what Rich just posted.)

However, there used to be a PalmPilot 2MB Upgrade card available for older Palms that did allow a Palm Pro (or older machine) to be upgraded to OS3 (or later), have 2 MB of RAM, Palm III internal programs and have the IR port. When installed, it was the functional equivalent of a Palm III but in the older case. It might be worth looking for one.

Rick

Edited by Richard Plume 2012-08-15 1:31 AM

And also, the Palm IIIxe has an upgrade disc that can flash OS 4.1 to it..

I found this Palm Pilot Pro on eBay and if you look at the photos you can tell it has the upgrade installed not only by the screen shots of the OS, but you can see bits of the back in some photos showing hints of the upgrade:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251131363567

So this upgrade:
-Adds IR
-Updates to POS 3.5
-Upgrades to 2 MB RAM?

Is that right? I might try to get it if it ends cheap.

Sorry I haven't posted the video yet but will try to soon.

I just took a look at the eBay item. Confirming it has an upgrade card installed.

Rick

Thanks, I'm just not sure of the RAM, how much RAM does the upgrade card have?

Thanks

I finally uploaded the video, you can see the IIIxe with the "new" normal backlight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty8_m8mJqSg


Edited by aab 2012-08-18 11:38 PM

The upgrade card that's in my PalmPro has 2 megs of RAM. Just to be sure, I would ask the seller to double check.

Rick

Did you notice the video I finally posted?

I just saw it. That's an amazing speed difference. What OS is the PalmPilot running?

Rick

It's running POS 2.0.5 while the IIIxe has 4.0, but wouldn't it be more related to the CPU? Too bad I already sold the Palm III which has POS 3.x and the older CPU I believe, that would have confirmed the cause.

It's probably a combination of both.

Rick