would it be wise to look for a AM2 cpu that has 1mb x 2 on the L2 cache then?
Here is my mobo and RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590
Now, its just a matter of grabbing a sweet AM2 cpu, for cheapo!
AMD discontinued 1MBx2 cache desktop CPU's to focus more on budget chips...
That would be I only see one CPU that has 1MBx2: the 4000+
I have three AMD chips curently running with 1024 L2 Cache or greater. I have 2 AMD's I use currently using 512 x 2 L2 cache. None are of the AM2 variety
AMD 4800+ X2 1024 x 2 L2 Cache
AMD 64 3700 2.4 1024 L2 Cache socket 754
AMD 64 3400 2.2 1024 L2 Cache socket 754 Clawhammer
AMD 64 3400 2.4 512 L2 Cache socket 754 I have 2 of these running
I use these five computer everyday depending one which office I am in. The 4800x2 is in my home. Sitting at the computer and using it for things like word processing, excel, surfing the net, etc. you can not tell the difference in the L2 cache, 512 compared to 1024 meg. I do think when playing games or using other large software applications, I use Pinacle Studios 9 for video editing, the 1024 L2 cache processors perform somewhat better. I wouldn't know how to measure these things. Just my opinion. Like one of the prior posters mentyioned, Intel has larger L2 Caches on their latest processors. AMD 64 processors have the RAM controller on the processor, eliminating the northbridge chip for the most part. Intel uses the northbridge to run between the RAM and the processor. There are guys that will tell you this method is junk. I have four Intel processors running everyday. The latest, a Pentium D 805 Smithfield, which has 2 x 1024 L2 cache runs very nice. I think it depends on the processor itslf how well it runs with or without more L2 cache. AMD's 64 processors work fantastic to this point. I would think getting an AM2 with 512 x 2 (x2) should do you well. Then you look at Intels and they have stuff with 2048 x 2 out there. Perhaps RAM speeds of 800 mhz and above make a difference within the two systems, Intel and AMD. I was thinking we would see processors in the 5 mhz. range sometime soon. Conroe doesn't do that. The next round maybe. Just my 2 cents. Enjoy your new AM2.
Thanks for the wealth of information. I greatly appreciate it.
I am probably going to decide between a 4000+ or 4200+, maybe a step above if the price is right.
I've alread bought a Asus M2N-E motherboard. The only gripes i've heard from this board is that it does not work well with OCZ memory. Lucky for me, I bought 2 gigs of Corsair XMS memory (even read a review where a guy has same memory, board and 4200+ CPU and works like a charm.)
The only thing I keep wonder is, what CPU should I buy if I want to OC it a bit? Does one of those OC better than the other?
The board appear to be able to OC the CPU rather easily.
Anyone like to comment on that?
thx