L2 cache size

I know… I know… yes… L2 cache size matters but my question is, if a quad processor running at 3.4GHz has 2MB of cache and another one similar, quad core, running at 3.4 GHz has 512Kb x4 does that means that it has 2MB of cache?

Reply to solo_2101

That's the same, yes.

Reply to cjl

so Processor: AMD Phenom™ II X4
Model Number: 965
Frequency: 3400MHz
L2 Cache Size: 2MB
Socket: AM3
Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 45
Wattage: 125W
System Bus: 2000MHz

and

Processor: AMD Phenom™ II X4
Model Number: 965
Frequency: 3400MHz
L2 Cache Size: 512KB x4
Socket: AM3
Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 45
Wattage: 140W
System Bus: 4000MHz

Would you say that the second one is better?... ^_^

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

so Processor: AMD Phenom™ II X4
Model Number: 965
Frequency: 3400MHz
L2 Cache Size: 2MB
Socket: AM3
Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 45
Wattage: 125W
System Bus: 2000MHz

and

Processor: AMD Phenom™ II X4
Model Number: 965
Frequency: 3400MHz
L2 Cache Size: 512KB x4
Socket: AM3
Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 45
Wattage: 140W
System Bus: 4000MHz

Would you say that the second one is better?... ^_^

The spec given by you is wrong.

Check here for the real comparison: http://products.amd.com/en-us/Desk [...] 617&id=591

The only difference between the two steppings(C1 v.s. C3) is the TDP(Thermal Design Power). 140W and 125W for C1 and C3 respectively.

512KB x 4 means that it comes with 4 NON-shared 512KB L2 cache. If it is shared cache, then it will states the cache by 1 x 2MB.

BTW, C3 has slightly better OCing potential according to AMD owners.

I would get the 955 instead if I were you, because the 965 is overpriced and the performance gain is definitely not worth the premium.

Message edited by andy5174 on 12-29-2009 at 08:02:22 AM

so shared cache is better than NON-Shared?

Reply to solo_2101

All Phenoms have independent L2, so there's no difference there. It might be technically incorrect to say they have 2MB instead of 4x512KB, but the difference is just in how it's written, not in what the processors actually contain.

Reply to cjl

955 has lower frekency by 300MHz... is not that much... right?

Reply to solo_2101

oK how did you compare the two processor

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

200MHz actually - the 955 is 3.2GHz.

Reply to cjl

Quote :

solo_2101:
1. so shared cache is better than NON-Shared?

2. 955 has lower frekency by 300MHz... is not that much... right?

1. Yes. Non-shared cache can't be utilized by other cores even if they are free.

2. It is actually 200MHz less which is unnoticeable at all and you can easily OC the 955 to 3.4GHz without touching any voltage.

Message edited by andy5174 on 12-29-2009 at 08:30:47 AM

solo_2101 wrote :

oK how did you compare the two processor

965 v.s. 955

When it says 2MB L2 cache it's usually refering to the total L2 cache size. This could either be 512KB on each core on a quad core or 2048KB shared with all cores. 2MB of L2 cache is 2MB of L2 cache no matter how you slice it. Look at the FSB 2000 vs. 4000 is the big difference maker here if these specs are to be trusted.

Disadvantage of shared L2 cache: more than one core could try and use the same area of cache and cause an error.

Disadvantage of non shared L2: One core might need more memory than it has and can't use the rest of the 2MB.

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Reply to theonerm2

theonerm2 wrote :

When it says 2MB L2 cache it's usually refering to the total L2 cache size. This could either be 512KB on each core on a quad core or 2048KB shared with all cores. 2MB of L2 cache is 2MB of L2 cache no matter how you slice it. Look at the FSB 2000 vs. 4000 is the big difference maker here if these specs are to be trusted.

Disadvantage of shared L2 cache: more than one core could try and use the same area of cache and cause an error.

Disadvantage of non shared L2: One core might need more memory than it has and can't use the rest of the 2MB.

LMAO

theonerm2 wrote :

When it says 2MB L2 cache it's usually refering to the total L2 cache size. This could either be 512KB on each core on a quad core or 2048KB shared with all cores. 2MB of L2 cache is 2MB of L2 cache no matter how you slice it. Look at the FSB 2000 vs. 4000 is the big difference maker here if these specs are to be trusted.

Disadvantage of shared L2 cache: more than one core could try and use the same area of cache and cause an error.

Disadvantage of non shared L2: One core might need more memory than it has and can't use the rest of the 2MB.

Stated as above, LMAO

Reply to HansVonOhain

Alright frequency speed is no problem… I can overclok 200 MHz and that would do it…
But now, there’s three 955 and I cannot find a way to see the differences… except for the price
How can I compare these three?
http://wheretobuy.amd.com/us-en/pi [...] Number=955

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

Alright frequency speed is no problem… I can overclok 200 MHz and that would do it…
But now, there’s three 955 and I cannot find a way to see the differences… except for the price
How can I compare these three?
http://wheretobuy.amd.com/us-en/pi [...] Number=955

Get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-19103808

It's the latest C3 stepping and so it costs a bit more.

Nice... that’s what I was looking for… c3 processor, thanks a lot bro… I wasn’t sure which of the three is c3, couldn’t compare in AMD web page

Reply to solo_2101

I got the GA-790FXTA-UD5, and processor... ^_^
Now I need the rest… case, power supplies, cooling systems, RAM… any suggestions

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

I got the GA-790FXTA-UD5, and processor... ^_^
Now I need the rest… case, power supplies, cooling systems, RAM… any suggestions

Don't get UD5! It's a waste of money. I got UD5 for my P55 motherboard because silly NZ dealers made UD4P merely $20 less than UD5

M/B: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128378 )

CPU: AMD PII-955 C3 (of course)

RAM: G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231193 )

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319 )

HSF: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134 )

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197 )

GFX: I need the resolution of your monitor to make suggestions

PSU: It depends on the GFX...

The suggestions I made are all based on the cost-performance ratio. They are NOT the best, but there won't be noticeable difference compared to the extremely expensive top end products.

I got GA-790FXTA-UD5, it was a gift, didn’t buy it,
Don’t have monitor yet, suggestions?
GFX: I was thinking ATI, don’t know which one, but I know there are good ones, cheap

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

I got GA-790FXTA-UD5, it was a gift, didn’t buy it,
Don’t have monitor yet, suggestions?
GFX: I was thinking ATI, don’t know which one, but I know there are good ones, cheap

I need your total budget for the monitor, gfx and PSU in order to make suggestions.

Around $350-400

Reply to solo_2101

That my whole budget, not much, i was thinking this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146059
what do you think

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

Around $350-400

That my whole budget, not much, i was thinking this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146059
what do you think

No, this case comes with merely ONE fan which is very bad for recent systems.
(p.s. I might save money on the other parts, but I would never try to save money on the PSU and case which are important to electrical circuits and cooling.)

GFX: XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1GB
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150448 )

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139004 )

Monitor: SAMSUNG 2343BWX High Glossy Black 23" ON anniversary special! get it quick
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001317 )

The video card suggested is NOT very good match to the monitor! I suggest you spend more for the video card listed below.

XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150447

I would get worse CPU to save money for a better graphic if you don't want to spend more.

Message edited by andy5174 on 01-01-2010 at 02:40:02 AM

OR you can play games at 1440x900 instead of the native resolution!

pardon interruption - amazing to see a guy w an i5 badge assisting an amd customer - well done, and good advice also. no comment req'd. my view of the human race has improved.
thx.
out.

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Reply to sighQ2

sighQ2 wrote :

pardon interruption - amazing to see a guy w an i5 badge assisting an amd customer - well done, and good advice also. no comment req'd. my view of the human race has improved.
thx.
out.

My avatar being an i5 doesn't mean that I am an Intel fanboy who hate AMD and their customers for nothing.

Hence, the OP is nothing special but a person who is seeking for help to me.

BTW, I think helping newer members is the best I can do to pay back the assistance given to me by the older members when I first joined TOM early 2009.

Message edited by andy5174 on 01-01-2010 at 06:15:46 AM

Hey i was an Intel person two, you know, but if you think about it, AMD offers good products two, cheap, and at the end in 3 -5 year, you will need to upgrade you computer again,
So I thought why spend a lot when you can have almost the same for cheaper

By the way I found another case, cheaper, check it out,
I’m more into blue, think good ventilations, what you think?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811517007
^_^

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to solo_2101

solo_2101 wrote :

Hey i was an Intel person two, you know, but if you think about it, AMD offers good products two, cheap, and at the end in 3 -5 year, you will need to upgrade you computer again,
So I thought why spend a lot when you can have almost the same for cheaper

By the way I found another case, cheaper, check it out,
I’m more into blue, think good ventilations, what you think?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811517007
^_^

1. You can actually get an i5 for only a few dollars more in the US. In addition, PII-955 was extremely overpriced in NZ when I was building my new PC and so I chose i5.

2. Although I never hear this brand, it seems to be very good in cooling and comes with a lot of fans and mesh. Great choice!

Message edited by andy5174 on 01-01-2010 at 07:42:49 PM

More into blue?

Check the case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

pictures of it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Imag [...] ter%20Case

It was the most popular case in the year it was released and is well known for its excellent ventilation.

Message edited by andy5174 on 01-01-2010 at 08:01:29 PM

All right, tanks a lot, bro… you been very helpful ... again thanks a lot.

Reply to solo_2101

You're welcome.

Reply to andy5174

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