It's not the factor of rendering pipe, but the code optimization issue especially tested a few test like massive particle/cone/cube etc with MinGW/VCTK2003/VCExp2005/VCExp2008.
Very few games are CPU bound, let alone simple graphic demos. I think it's highly unlikely that you'd notice any difference in simple graphics demos based on the compiler you use. If MiniB3D actually is slower ( I have no idea if it is ) then it almost certainly *is* because of the rendering, and quite possibly the choice of API.
If what H&K said is true, does Blitz has any special weapons to compete with Darkbasic? or just let it win?
MiniB3D isn't even a Blitz product, so why should BRL have to bring out any specials weapons?