2mb cache vs 512k cache

[riTuaL]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a new pc for college next year (most likely getting it mid summer) and I've been debating if I should go for the Intel P4 Extreme Edition @ 3.4ghz with 2mb cache or just the regular chip with only 512kb cache. Could someone please explain to me what the difference would be, and exactly what the extra cache could do for me?

The price difference is about $500 at www.cyberpowerpc.com. Thanks for your help ;D

 

[ailevation]

:O Intel P4 Extreme Edition @ 3.4ghz with 2mb cache ; wann spend about $1000? But, hey it offers elite performance over the 512 one... if you got cash to fork over like doughnuts i'd go for the Extreme Edition.

 

[SidewinderX]

I'd really suggest going with a an athlon 64 based system... you cna get a 3200+ 64 with 1MB chace... so it's more than the 512mb, and it'sa much, much cheapers. and the a64 has more "future-proofing" than a p4ee.

http://www.abspc.com/app/config.asp?mono=1709

 

[Asus]

The P4 EE 2MB L3 Cache offers better performance over the Prescott or Northwood because Intel's P4 design is bottlenecked. Adding more temporary storage for the CPU helps performance since it can't get data from the memory as quickly.
L3 cache is slower than L2 cache though. L2 cache is slower than L1 as well.
The P4 EE has a 512KB L2 cache just like normal P4's but with the added 2MB L3.
Regular P4's don't have an L3.
The performance advantage doesn't justify the price.
Grab the Northwood Core if you buy a P4.

Info:
Athlon 64's performance isn't Cache dependant since it is very quick at getting data from memory or the rest of the system. That is why there is little performance difference from a 2ghz A64 1MB L2 Cache version and a 2ghz A64 512KB L2 Cache version. That is also why there is little performance advantage with Single channel vs Dual channel memory on the Athlon 64 platform.

What apps do you run? If you just want to spend money, grab the P4 EE asap.
If you want the top of the line Machine based on performance (not price) then I'd suggest taking a look at A64.

IMO the P4 platform is a dead one. The current Socket is dead with no upgrade path. Prescott is the only core that will be going above 3.4GHz and on the new socket. Look were Prescott sits in the benchmarks...it's a low rider.
Until late 2005 or 2006, Intel doesn't look as appealing unless all you do is encode MP3's all day.

64bit is coming even quicker with 512MB GFX cards coming soon. It's all about virtual memory.

 

[riTuaL]

Well I'm just looking to run HL2 with good fps, by good I mean at least 60. So do you think athlon is the way to go?

I'm also looking for 800mhz FSB, does Athlon have that?

 

[riTuaL]

Wow, I just configured:

ATX MEDIUM TOWER CASE 350 WATT (BLACK)
AMD ATHLON64 3400+ Processor
Albatron K8X800 PRO II K8T800 Mboard
1024 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR MEMORY (Major_Brand)
80GB 7200 RPM ATA 100 HARD DRIVE
NONE - 2nd Hard Drive
Radeon X800 PRO 256MB 8X AGP
NONE - CD/DVD
ARTEC CD-RW 52X32X52 (BLACK)
NONE - MONITOR
Creative Labs SB LIVE VALUE 5.1

And it has basically the same components except for processor but its like $200-$250 cheaper haha

 

[Narcolepsy]

Wow, I just configured:

ATX MEDIUM TOWER CASE 350 WATT (BLACK)
AMD ATHLON64 3400+ Processor
Albatron K8X800 PRO II K8T800 Mboard
1024 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR MEMORY (Major_Brand)
80GB 7200 RPM ATA 100 HARD DRIVE
NONE - 2nd Hard Drive
Radeon X800 PRO 256MB 8X AGP
NONE - CD/DVD
ARTEC CD-RW 52X32X52 (BLACK)
NONE - MONITOR
Creative Labs SB LIVE VALUE 5.1

And it has basically the same components except for processor but its like $200-$250 cheaper haha

Hey, this is just me, but the rest of your system is so incredibly powerful, I think its a shame to have such a weak sound card, in case you really don't care about sound at all. I'd go for an Audigy, especially if you have decent speakers.

 

[riTuaL]

Well I do have pretty decent speakers but I really don't use them. I have Plantronics DSP500 USB headphones and that's all I really use. Considering I play multiplayer mostly, headphones are best for me so I didn't think it would be worth spending the extra money for a better sound card.

 

[Asus]

If you use the same marketing that says the P4 has a 800FSB then the A64 has a 1600FSB. hehe
But that isn't fair.
A64 can send data up and down at 800mhz.
P4 can send data up or down at 800mhz.
The difference is that the 'and' means at the same time.

An A64 for games excels so a 3400+ would beat a 3.4ghz rather easily and maybe a 3.5ghz P4 as well. Actually I know it to be true.
A64 FX 2.9GHz vs P4 EE 4.0GHz
Granted these are OCs so they are not representative of the actual future product.
If a 2.4GHz A64 is supposed to compete with a 3.4GHz P4 then:
2.6GHz (FX 55) - 3.6GHz (P4 EE)
2.8GHz (FX 57) - 3.8GHz (P4 EE)
3.0GHz (FX 59) - 4.0GHz (P4 EE)