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Adjusting the memory available to a program
By default THEA500 Mini provides 8 MB of Amiga chip memory for a
program to run, which should be more than enough for most programs.
However, there may be some that expect less than this, and others that run
better with a little more.
The Memory slider allows you to set the memory from 512 KB to 10 MB,
allocating the required amount from the following combinations of chip
memory and fast memory:
Chip memory Fast memory Total memory
512 KB 0 MB 512 KB
1 MB 0 MB 1 MB
2 MB 0 MB 2 MB
4 MB 0 MB 4 MB
2 MB 2 MB 4 MB
2 MB 4 MB 6 MB
8 MB 0 MB 8 MB
2 MB 8 MB 10 MB
Optimising Amiga CPU performance
The Amiga CPU emulated at the heart of THEA500 operates by default in
“accuracy” mode, where it aims for software compatibility over eciency.
Occasionally some CPU intensive programs benet from having Optimise:
CPU JIT enabled, which makes the emulated Amiga CPU prioritise eciency
over compatibility. Because compatibility is reduced, this should be used with
care.
Optimising Amiga co-processor performance
The Amiga co-processor, or copper, is a simple processor that is synchronised
with the video generator. Programs use the copper to create graphical and
colour eects, and to increase the number of sprites that can be displayed at
once.
Programs that make heavy use of the copper, for example to rapidly change
the colours on screen, can sometimes be made to run more smoothly by
enabling the Optimise: Copper option. This makes the copper take some
shortcuts which can break some programs, so should be used with care.