I want to understand the practical difference between Best Speed and Smallest Area in FPGA .

Hello, I currently have an SCFIFO application requirement. The FPGA device I am using is the 10M02SCM153C8G, and I am implementing the FIFO function through an IP core. My application seemed quite simple at first, so when generating the FIFO, I selected the Best Speed option.

However, after actual testing, I found that the FIFO generated by the FPGA IP was unstable. The symptom was that the image would occasionally and intermittently split. After that, I changed the FIFO setting to Smallest Area, and the problem became much more stable. I am still testing it.

Why is there such a difference? What is the reason?

My current goal is to use the FPGA’s internal FIFO to replace the external 72V251 FIFO, because this device has been discontinued, so I am looking for a feasible replacement solution.

Thank you for your reply.