Runs about 3275 msecs on my machine, so the math seems to have an impact. Here is the benchmark script, just rename the function as required. Don't think the order of functions has an impact:

code:
break on
 
$start = @TICKS
 
for $i = 0 to 10000
 $c = fadeToBlack2(&FFAADD,&DD)
next
 
?"elapsed=" @TICKS-$start
 
exit 1
 
function FadeToBlack($c, $)
 
 dim $B, $G, $R
 
 $b = $c / 65536
 $g = ($c & &FF00) / 256
 $r = $c & &FF
 
 if $B>$	$B=$ endif
 if $G>$	$G=$ endif
 if $R>$	$R=$ endif
  
 $FadeToBlack = $B*65536+$G*256+$R
 
endfunction
 
function FadeToBlack2($c, $)
 
 $FadeToBlack2 = 
	iif($c/65536>$, $, $c/65536) * 65536 + 
	iif(($c & 65280) / 256>$, $, ($c & 65280) / 256) * 256 + 
	iif($c & 255>$, $, $c & 255)
 
endfunction