Will lack of L3 Cache signifcantly reduce speed?

[processor-pro]

Does any one know if the lack of L3 Cache in the the new athlon x4's will signifcantly make a diffrence or should I save for a Phemom

 

[jimmysmitty]

Not in most cases. In gaming it wont make a major difference.

I would personally save up for either a Sandy Bridge CPU or wait till the upcoming Bulldozer from AMD comes out. Would help lower prices on Phenom IIs if you really want to go that way.

 

[simon12]

Depending on the application its anything from 0-20% ish.

 

[amdfangirl]

Normally see it in games.

 

[Bigmac80]

Well i had the Athlon on my older rig and recently bought a sandy bridge i5 2500k and i can play every game now with no problems. Before playing COD Blackops i use to stutter now it plays butter smooth using the new i5 2500k with the same graphics card.

 

[simon12]

There is alot more difference between an Athlon and an i5 2500K than just the cache its like saying a ferrari is faster than an old ford because its red.

 

[processor-pro]

Thanks guys I think I may go with the I5 but the motherboards for 1156 socket are a little expensive, if I can build a decent I5 computer for $800 I will get it.

 

[processor-pro]

Best answer selected by processor-pro.