Athlon XP 2500+ vs Athlon XP 2600+

[santos]

I'm thinking to update my system.

I just pick the ASUS A7N8X motherboard, but i'm having trouble to decide what CPU should i buy.

In a store near me (i'm from portugal), they have a Athlon XP 2500+ FSB 333MHZ Barton Core. This CPU have a clock frequency set at 1.83GHZ with 512Kb level 2 cache.
The same store also have Athlon XP 2600+ FSB 333MHZ. This CPU have a clock frequency set at 2.13GHZ, but less internal cache (128Kb level 1 and 256Kb level 2).

My question is:
What CPU should i get to put on the motherboard if i have 512MB of RAM (2x256MB to use Dual-Channel)?

I want a fast PC for working with development tools, such as Toghether 6.0, Microsoft .NET, Office aplications and sometimes a few games.

Some people told me that speed is important for graphical aplications, while internal cache is more important for the developments tools.

My video card is a GeForce2 MX200 with 64MB.

Can someone help me with my choice?

Thanks

 

[andlcs]

I´d get Barton 2500+.

 

[TKH]

First, a 2600+ run at 2.13GHz is not 333FSB but 266FSB one, the 333FSB one run at 2.08GHz.
Second, people buy 2500+ for overclocking purpose, if you DO NOT and NEVER intend to overclock in any sense, get the 333FSB 2600+ instead.
***Edit*** Oh, I forget there will be a Barton 2600+ which runs at 1.93GHz and will be available soon. If that is available I strongly recommend getting that one.

It is morally wrong to allow suckers to keep their money
<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=22996" target="_new">My System Rig</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by TKH on 06/18/03 01:56 AM.</EM></FONT></P>