Level 3 cache detected?

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maypep_necro

maypep_necro

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Dec 29, 2005
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Hi. I was running a test and i found there was a level 3 cache. Normaly, like CPU-Z and other softwares detect only 2 cache. Whats wrong? Here a screenshot.

lvl3cache2yo.png
 
I've seen that too with the latency test that comes with CPU-z... Obviously it doesn't mean you have three levels of cache. All it's doing is seeing the L2 cache jump from 19 to 40 cycles latency once above 256k test size, so the program assumes it is another level of cache.

Now the question, is why would your L2 show an increasing latency? Donno the answer to that... maybe some other program interfered with the test and created an erroneous result.
 
I know, and every time it detects a greater latency, the program assumes it is seeing another level of cache cause cache should perform the same till you get beyond the size of the cache. The question is why does the cache latency increase above 256k? Donno the answer to that...
 
Now the question, is why would your L2 show an increasing latency? Donno the answer to that... maybe some other program interfered with the test and created an erroneous result.
Click to expand...

I believe the question to that answer is pipelining. It's very easy to fit <512KB of data into the cache (which is 512KB) without having to refer to system RAM more than once. If you'll notice, his latency takes a huge jump when going from 512KB to 1024KB. The processor has to request the data from ram twice (however many cycles that is I dunno) to fit it in the L2 cache. Why the latency remains relatively equal with 32MB of data, I have no clue. According to my logic latency should increase exponentially with an exponential increase to data size. So maybe I'm wrong.

I think that's the answer. Does that make any sense?

-mpjesse
 
i don't know anything about your problem, but i have to say i'm impressed that you started a serious thread, i was all ready to make jokes and there it was, a REAL question! 8O

maybe we have entered a new era in mayep_necro's life, keep it up.
 
Ugh i got 256 kb for L2 cache. L1 cache (8kb) + L2 cache = 262 kb.

Maybe if it go upper than 256 it count it as a lvl 3 cache?

Or might i am totaly wrong.
 
You said this...
Ugh i got 256 kb for L2 cache. L1 cache (8kb) + L2 cache = 262 kb.

Maybe if it go upper than 256 it count it as a lvl 3 cache?

Or might i am totaly wrong.
Click to expand...

Then I said this...
OH. thought you were using the northwood version of the 2Ghz P4.

err.... did intel even make a 2Ghz northwood?

Anyways, nevermind my post then.
Click to expand...

Then you said this...
Yeah. So my CPU is.... Edited?
Click to expand...

You said you had a 256KB Level 2 cache... Intel never made a northwood Pentium 4 CPU with a 256kb level cache... the willamette's were 256KB.

You, in fact, have a northwood Pentium 4 w/ a 512KB level 2 cache. Additionally, Pentium 4's do not have a Level 3 cache- only extreme editions do (or did anyways).
 
Umm... not true. Intel made Xeon's and Pentium 4 Extreme Editions w/ Level 3 caches. See here:

Integrated 2MB Level 3 Cache on Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition 3.46 GHz
The 2-MB L3 cache is available only with the Pentium 4 processor Extreme Edition. The additional third level of cache is located on the processor die and is designed specifically to meet the compute needs of high-end gamers and other power users. The Integrated L3 cache is available in 2 MB and when coupled with either the 1066 MHz or 800 MHz system bus provides a high bandwidth path to memory. The efficient design of the integrated L3 cache provides a faster path to large data sets stored in cache on the processor. This results in reduced average memory latency and increased throughput for larger workloads.
Click to expand...

http://www.intel.com/design/Pentium4/prodbref/#cache2

Here's a couple for sale:
http://www.stalliontek.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CPP4%2D101400
http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=556

They were originally based on the northwood and prescott cores. The cores themselves had an added 2MB of cache added on (they were not part of the die specifically) But since L2 cache's have trippled in size in the past 2 years, Intel has done away w/ L3 cache in new Pentiums.

But they did exist... and can still be bought. ;-)

-mpjesse
 
Anyway i buyed a new computer. I will recieve it tromorow. Here the specs:

Pentium D 920 2.8 Ghz
Unknown motherboard
GeForce 6200SE 256mb with Turbo Cache
Windows XP Media edition
With a remote controler.
2x 1028 MB Ram
250 GB 7200 RPM HDD

Is that a good choice? I hear the Intel was hots.
 
intelz are hot

good choice still and it will do whatever you want it too.

unfortunately though. your performance if you game will be severely crippled by the video card

the 6200Turbo Charged card is a piece of shit that should never have seen the light of day.

it is only a 64mb video card with I believe 64mbit memory pathway. means SUPER slow. what makes it worse is that memory is so small because it uses your SYSTEM RAM as it's main memory source which is even slower.

if you need a simple video card for windows. fine. but any 3d gaming or editting and you're up shit creek
 
it's OK... but the video card is complete garbage. I'm not sure how much it cost but a 6600 is minum for gaming now. Also, that intel dual core is low end i think, proably should have got an AMD system with 3800+ x2 since AMD has better, cheaper, cooler dual cores.

Also, you seem to always rely on just numbers to decide which component is better. That 6200 may be 256mb but it sucks ass, while a 6600gt with 128mb will own it completely. Same for the RAM and Hard drive, the ram may be 2gigs, but is it crappy kingston value RAM or Corsair xms, not specifically, but thats a range. The hd might be 250gig but could be really slow and hot, but don't worry about that so much. Try to find out which mobo you got, it will help.

It sounds like you went and got an MDG package, and they may be fairly cheap, but they are crappy, how much did you pay?
 
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