Difference between Altera Modelsim and Modelsim by Mentor?

[Altera_Forum]

Hi Everyone, 

 Can anybody please break down the difference between the two Modelsims? Confused about which to use. :confused: And what's the difference between normal simulation in Quartus II and Modelsim simulation? Really appreciate any reply. Thank you.  Best regards, Chris

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 with Modelsim you can do testbench, Quartus II can't.  And for the other question:   --- Quote Start ---   Is the ModelSim-Altera Edition software the same as the ModelSim PE or the ModelSim SE software?  No, the ModelSim-Altera Edition software is licensed to support designs written in 100 percent VHDL and 100 percent Verilog language and does not support designs that are written in a combination of VHDL and Verilog language, also known as mixed HDL. Mixed HDL support is available in the PE and SE versions of ModelSim from Mentor Graphics. ModelSim-Altera Edition only supports Altera gate-level libraries. The ModelSim-Altera Edition software includes all ModelSim PE features, including behavioral simulation, HDL testbenches, and tool command language (Tcl) scripting. However, the simulation performance of the ModelSim-Altera Edition software is slower than that of the ModelSim PE and SE software.  ModelSim-Altera Starter Edition software is the same as ModelSim-Altera Edition software except for two areas. ModelSim-Altera Starter Edition’s simulation performance is lower than ModelSim-Altera Edition and has a line limit of 10,000 executable lines compared to the unlimited number of lines allowed in the ModelSim-Altera Edition.  --- Quote End ---  

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 Thanks a lot for your reply, it's very helpful! Where do you get these info? Been looking around for it.   Best regards, Chris

[Altera_Forum]

I googled : modelsim vs modelsim-altera. The first result: (i can't put the link.....)

[Altera_Forum]

I dont think Altera-modelsim has the full TCL support that the PE version has. The main difference is the cost. Altera edition will come with your quartus licence, but a PE licence will come at the same price (if not more) as the altera licence. 

 PE also simulates faster than AE.

[Altera_Forum]

the Quartus II Simulator is really an 'older' tool at this point meaning it does not support the newest device familes. it is largely graphical waveform based, as mentioned it cannot use HDL test benches. there is a tool to create HDL from your legacy vwf files.  

 there are actually 2 'Altera' versions of ModelSim. there is ModelSim-Altera Starter Edition (free) and ModelSim-Altera Edition (pay). the comparison between these two is as follows:  http://www.altera.com/products/software/quartus-ii/modelsim/qts-modelsim-index.html  some of the features of a ModelSim non-Altera have been highlighted here. another example is that ModelSim-Altera Edition does not support mixed language simulations.

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 Thanks everybody for your kind replies! Appreciate it!  Best regards, Chris