Why do Windows timing functions have poor resolution and accuracy?

[Dissident Dan]

One would think that counting time would be one of the simplest functions that a computer could do, given that computers generally operate based on fixed frequencies, which I believe are generated by crystals.

However, the windows time functions that I know are horrible. Firstly, they have horrible resolution, being able to get them down to about 5-8ms at best. Also, there are sometimes non-monotonicly increasing jitters.

Does anyone know of any simple ways to have high-resolution, accurate timers in Windows XP?

 

[dduardo]

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/kw217/useful/win32time.html

 

[master_coda]

One would think that counting time would be one of the simplest functions that a computer could do, given that computers generally operate based on fixed frequencies, which I believe are generated by crystals.

The clock crystals in a computer aren't actually that good for producing accurate times. A $5 department store watch will keep better time than your computer will.