ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Anything Sinclair ZX Basic related; history, development, tips - differences between BASIC on the ZX80 and ZX81
Joachim
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Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:53 pm

Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by Joachim »

Zolt, You did a really great work! I now have the fastest Zeddy I ever had. Thank You!
Joachim
Fruitcake
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Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by Fruitcake »

I programmed the ZX81x2 ROM into a ZXC4 ROM cartridge plugged into a Chroma interface and ran a simple loop that filled the screen with random numbers. The difference in speed compared to the running the same loop using the standard ZX81 ROM is very noticeable and highly impressive! Congratulations on this achievement. If only Sinclair had put effort into optimising the speed like this...

It will be interesting to see which BASIC programs it makes a significant impact on. This could be a great way to transform magazine type-in game listings to make them run smoother and hence more playable...
Shaun_B
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Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:22 am

Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by Shaun_B »

Hi,

I've tried the ZXMore version of the ROM upgrade - really good though 3D Monster Maze is a little too fast @ 6.5Mhz, but very playable at 3.2Mhz.

Mazogs is really good as well, so it looks pretty compatible.

I've tried some Andre*** warez. Yoogor is excellent, machine-code speed @ 6.5Mhz. Really impressive. The only issue is the key configuration. The up/down key is too near to the quit key. I tried changing the quit key to zero but for some reason on hitting zero, the shield appeared and it told me that I'd won, but then the BASIC listing is sorcery and I shouldn't meddle as a mortal.

I also tried YATZXEE, which is also close to assembly speeds against a normal ZX81 (at 6.5Mhz of course).

I tried some of my own BASIC efforts, as well as Flying Wheel. Excellent improvements, though my Catcher game is a little too fast. I noticed what looks like a small timing glitch on my Fruit Machine game @ 3.2Mhz on the screen redraw, but nothing to be too concerned over.

Bounce Redux was tested again for compatibility (developed with z88dk in C), all good.

Regards,

Shaun.
Shaun_B
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:22 am

Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by Shaun_B »

Andy Rea wrote: Tue Sep 25, 2018 10:53 pm i'll just put this here while i pick myself up off the floor !

Image
Hi Andy,

Where do I obtain that speed test program from?

Thanks,

Shaun.
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siggi
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Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by siggi »

My ZX81 web-server: online since 2007, running since dec. 2020 using ZeddyNet hardware
http://zx81.ddns.net/ZxTeaM
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zsolt
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Location: Fót, Hungary

Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by zsolt »

Hi Shaun,
Shaun_B wrote: Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:22 pm Where do I obtain that speed test program from?
You can find it also in the zx81x2.zip/tests folder (ClckFReq.p).
Regards,
Zsolt
ZX81 (8K), ENTERPRISE 128, [ZX SPECTRUM (48K,+,+128K,+2,+2A), TS1000, TS1500, TS2068, Cambridge Z88, PRIMO A64 (red)]
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RobertK
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Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by RobertK »

Fruitcake wrote: Wed Oct 03, 2018 2:08 pm I programmed the ZX81x2 ROM into a ZXC4 ROM cartridge plugged into a Chroma interface and ran a simple loop that filled the screen with random numbers. The difference in speed compared to the running the same loop using the standard ZX81 ROM is very noticeable and highly impressive! Congratulations on this achievement. If only Sinclair had put effort into optimising the speed like this...

It will be interesting to see which BASIC programs it makes a significant impact on. This could be a great way to transform magazine type-in game listings to make them run smoother and hence more playable...
I have now tried it on my real ZX81 using the Chroma Interface and a ZXC4 cart, and I am impressed like everybody else - speed coming out of nowhere! :shock:

@Fruitcake: do you think you can patch the ZX81x2 ROM for the Chroma Interface to allow loading programs via RS232?
Fruitcake
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Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by Fruitcake »

RobertK wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:09 pm Fruitcake: do you think you can patch the ZX81x2 ROM for the Chroma Interface to allow loading programs via RS232?
I'll add it to my TO DO list.
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zsolt
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Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by zsolt »

Hi,
A newer version is available here.
Regards,
Zsolt
Last edited by zsolt on Thu Nov 08, 2018 5:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ZX81 (8K), ENTERPRISE 128, [ZX SPECTRUM (48K,+,+128K,+2,+2A), TS1000, TS1500, TS2068, Cambridge Z88, PRIMO A64 (red)]
FrancoisLanciault
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:22 pm

Re: ZX81X2.ROM - and the big bang

Post by FrancoisLanciault »

Is there any plan or work in progress so that zxpand(+) user can use that fast ROM.

Maybe it is technically impossible...
Maybe it is already available ...

Thank you.
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