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:: One aspect commonly used to compare PCem and 86Box is the emulation performance. PCem v15 introduced a rewritten dynamic recompiler, which was primarily aimed at improving emulation performance in games; however, it also caused minor to severe performance regressions in other applications. 86Box uses the previous recompiler from PCem versions before v15, with optimizations performed by devs, as they have determined that the new one causes too many regressions to be adopted as a sensible default. There is a way for you to try out the new recompiler on 86Box, though. PCem’s emulation of some core system components, such as the Programmable Interval Timer (PIT), takes a few shortcuts to improve performance. These shortcuts are perfectly fine for games, which is what PCem targets; although, they have caused issues with the software preservation side of things. In addition to taking fewer shortcuts, 86Box also tries to follow the specifications of these components, rather than implement the minimum viable feature set, which is - once again - good enough for games, but not good enough for some other applications. Generally speaking, the more accurate a component’s emulation is made, the more host CPU horsepower it will require. In addition to taking fewer shortcuts, 86Box also tries to follow the specifications of these components, rather than implement the minimum viable feature set, which is - once again - good enough for games, but not good enough for some other applications. [https://86box.net/2022/01/07/pcem-migration-guide.html See this guide for more information].
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|[https://dosbox-x.com/ DOSBox-X]/[https://docs.libretro.com/library/dosbox_pure/ DOSBox Pure]/[https://github.com/realnc/dosbox-core DOSBox-core]/[https://dosbox-staging.github.io/ DOSBox Staging]:
:[[DOSBox]] is another option for emulating many older computer games specially for pretty good performance with low-end computers but compatibility, accuracy and [[#Hardware_features_and_peripherals|hardware support]] aren't as good as [[PCem]] or [[86Box]]. [[DOSBox]] is no longer updated but it has many "DOSBox forks" over the years. Windows 95/98/ME can be installed in "DOSBox forks" and also supports 3DFX Voodoo emulation. Even more forks are listed in the [https://github.com/dosbox-staging/dosbox-staging/wiki/DOSBox-forks "DOSBox forks" page of DOSBox Staging's GitHub wiki] or [[DOSBox#Forks|here]].
::'''[https://dosbox-x.com/ DOSBox-X]''' is vastly different from other "DOSBox forks" in that it aims to be a complete emulation package that covers all pre-2000 DOS and Windows 9x based hardware scenarios. It features more flexibility by way of config options and an accompanying frontend to customize the DOS VM further, and beyond games it also supports standard software for DOS, as well as DOS-based Windows including Windows 3.x and 9x/ME with 3D acceleration via 3dfx emulation. The project also has its own [https://dosbox-x.com/wiki wiki] which contains extensive documentation on DOSBox-X, and a summary of notable added features can be seen [https://dosbox-x.com/wiki/DOSBox%E2%80%90X%E2%80%99s-Feature-Highlights here]. While DOSBox-X currently supports emulation of [[#Intel_CPUs|IBM PC/XT/AT]], Toshiba AX/J3100, IBM PCjr/Tandy, and [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/NEC_PC-9800_series NEC PC-9800 series] architecture, the maintainer, Jonathan Campbell, does not plan to add any other MS-DOS system. This limitation is mainly done to prevent bloating of the codebase, keeping it at a manageable level for himself while also staying organized. However, the codebase does contain stubbed source files for [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/FM_Towns_emulators FM Towns] emulation in the event that other programmers want to add that functionality.<br/>
::'''[https://docs.libretro.com/library/dosbox_pure/ DOSBox Pure]''' is a new DOSBox fork specifically built for RetroArch/Libretro. According to its project description it aims for simplicity and ease of use just like DOSBox Staging. On top of that it has an advantage over other "DOSBox forks" because of libretro features ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zCEf9prmQ EmuVR support], [[Shader_Presets#RetroArch.2FLibretro|Shader presets/Overlays]] and configs etc). Some of the advantages are save-states, wider platform support (including Switch and Vita) and input auto-configuration fetched from the game database. It's good for users who want to experience their DOS games without too much hassle with settings, in a simple way akin to how console emulators deal with ROMs.
:::[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA5SaT9uDa4 0.9.5 version] brings 3dfx emulation support.
:::[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/18ctij3/dosbox_pure_098_released/ 0.9.8 version] brings further improvements to the ATAPI CD-ROM emulation for Windows 9x games with CD copy protection, add support for uncompressed CHD version 5 CD images and [https://www.libretro.com/index.php/retroarch-1-17-new-netplay-features/ add netplay] for multiplayer games that used IPX, Ethernet or a modem over the internet.
::'''[https://github.com/realnc/dosbox-core DOSBox-core]''' is an alternative core for RetroArch/Libretro, which focuses on being as close in use as upstream DOSBox. Its advantages include using .conf files to run games, ability to use external MIDI synths (like the Roland Sound Canvas VA, the Yamaha S-YXG50, or whatever else) so that you can get much higher quality MIDI music in dosbox-core, and has more configuration options befitting more advanced users. Its disadvantages are slightly worse input lag (like half a frame), lack of save-states and runs on less platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS and Android; Vita and Switch are unavailable)
::'''[https://dosbox-staging.github.io/ DOSBox Staging]''' is a DOSBox fork that focuses on ease of use, modern technology and best practices. [https://github.com/dosbox-staging/dosbox-staging/issues/339 3dfx emulation is supported] with the latest releases.
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