CPU speed or L2 cashe?

[mbohnenk]

This might be a old question, so sorry for the repeat. Trying to decide whci is more important. CPU speed or L2 Cache size.
Looking at 2 AM2 cpu's from AMD that are within a few bucks of each other. One is a 4200 Dual core the other is a 4000 dual core but has 2 mb L2 cache. So the question is which is better? Having more cache but les Cpu or the other way around?

 

[gOJDO]

The 4200 is faster than the 4000+.

 

[mbohnenk]

So then where does having a larger L2 Cache really pay off?

 

[IamXero]

So then where does having a larger L2 Cache really pay off?

When you have an Intel.

Intel's architectures are vastly better at utilizing large L2 cache than AMD's.

 

[BobA]

So then where does having a larger L2 Cache really pay off?

The L2 cache is used as a temporary holding place for recently accessed data from RAM. A larger L2 cache pays off for intensive I/O of data from RAM to the CPU and back again (reading/writing).

A faster CPU pays off for computational- intensive programs such as mathematical calculations or programs with intensive branching in the instructions.

As always, the combination of CPU speed and cache size is a compromise. One thing to be aware of is that larger cache sizes will mean the chip will run hotter.

-Bob

 

[melarcky]

just get an intel C2D because you will get better results with a E6300 and for less cash.

 

[gOJDO]

So then where does having a larger L2 Cache really pay off?

The L2 cache is used as a temporary holding place for recently accessed data from the hard drive. A larger L2 cache pays off for intensive I/O of data from storage to the CPU and back again (reading/writing).

A faster CPU pays off for computational- intensive programs such as mathematical calculations or programs with intensive branching in the instructions.

As always, the combination of CPU speed and cache size is a compromise. One thing to be aware of is that larger cache sizes will mean the chip will run hotter.

-Bob
You mean RAM?

BTW, CPU freqfency and cache size are a compromise, but in the K8 case, +10% freqfency gives more poerformance than twice L2 cache.

 

[jaguarskx]

I would go with a faster CPU.

An Athlon X2 4400+ has twice the cache than the X2 4600+. But the X2 4600+ is 200MHz faster. The X2 4600+ would win in nearly all the benchmarks which is why it costs more.

 

[melarcky]

Yes but you could just overclock and it would be better because of the extra L2 cache

 

[still_life]

AMD does not need as much L2 cache because it has an on-die memory controller = lower latancies. Intel need a bigger cache because the data has to go through the northbridge first, making it slower.

 

[locky28]

Damn beat me to it

 

[BobA]

You mean RAM?

Yes, RAM. My mistake.

-Bob

 

[jaguarskx]

Yes but you could just overclock and it would be better because of the extra L2 cache

So what?

You can also overclock the 4600+ as well.

 

[melarcky]

Yes but you could just overclock and it would be better because of the extra L2 cache

So what?

You can also overclock the 4600+ as well.
yes but wouldn't it be cheaper with the 4400+ cus its cheaper?