?L2and L3? cache

[Tarack]

I dont want to sound like a newb... but I guess I am. So here goes , What is the difference between L2 and L3 cache?
Thank you for not flaming me =)

 

[Crashman]

L3 cache is added to L2 cache after the core is made, to increase performance. They serve the same purpose, you just get "more" cache when they add L3.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Johanthegnarler]

L3 is in the itanium only correct? And also is the L3 Side by side with the L2? If so why not just make it one big bank? I figure though that the L3 get's used a bit differently... but that's why i'm asking you.

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081</A>
Figured i'd do it too..reality my ass.

 

[Crashman]

L3 is used on Xeons and P4EEs. They can't make it "one big bank" of L2 because the L2 is made with the core and the L3 is added on. The L2 for these processors will always be 512k because that's what the Northwood core has.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Johanthegnarler]

Oh see i was all messed up, i thought L1 was only on the core and L2 was near core.
So then L3 should be a few nanoseconds slower than L2 correct?

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081</A>
Figured i'd do it too..reality my ass.

 

[Crashman]

L1 is more like "in" the core I think, while L2 is "on" the core. Anyway, the core is made with L1 and L2 on the same die as the core, L3 is added. It could be slower than L2, I'm not sure.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Tarack]

Thanks for the post Crashman. I would like to know then is it better to buy into the Pentium chips or AMD sence AMD doesnt have the L3? This question would apply to a gaming rig. Im in the works of building one and would like to go with the best setup for gaming. Thank you for your HELP !