# Windows version, GetSecs precision

**URL:** <https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/windows-version-getsecs-precision/1187>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [June 5, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/windows-version-getsecs-precision/1187 "2000-06-05T16:08:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Allen\_Ingling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Allen\_Ingling](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/u/Allen_Ingling)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/windows-version-getsecs-precision/1187/1 "2000-06-05T16:08:09Z")

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> \>Is the 'getsecs.dll' function for windows stable enough for reaction  
> \>time experiments where resolutions of about 1msec or even finer are  
> \>required? Responses are made via a button box (CRS).

The precision of GetSecs for Windows has not been checked against  
external reality. You would probably want to run some tests  
before counting on it. (You might be able to do something like  
use GetSecs to time the frame rate of your monitor to get a  
rough idea. Or if you can generate a hardware pulse from  
within MATLAB, you could use GetSecs to toggle it at some  
desired rate and check the output with an oscilliscope.)  
  
Some general discussion of RT is available on our web page  
[http://color.psych.ucsb.edu/psychtoolbox/questions.html#reaction](http://color.psych.ucsb.edu/psychtoolbox/questions.html#reaction)  
but this is mainly directed at the Mac version.  
  
Let us know the results if you run any checks with the Windows GetSecs.  
  
Best,  
  
David