c - What is the fastest way to convert float to int on x86

Question

What is the fastest way you know to convert a floating-point number to an int on an x86 CPU. Preferrably in C or assembly (that can be in-lined in C) for any combination of the following:

• 32/64/80-bit float -> 32/64-bit integer

I'm looking for some technique that is faster than to just let the compiler do it.

Answer 1

It depends on if you want a truncating conversion or a rounding one and at what precision. By default, C will perform a truncating conversion when you go from float to int. There are FPU instructions that do it but it's not an ANSI C conversion and there are significant caveats to using it (such as knowing the FPU rounding state). Since the answer to your problem is quite complex and depends on some variables you haven't expressed, I recommend this article on the issue:

http://www.stereopsis.com/FPU.html