512kb vs 1mb L2 cache

[dfuze]

I am looking at upgrading my AMD 3000+ to a dual core cpu. So far the best choices
without breaking the bank are the AMD X2 4200 & the 4400. The only 2 differences
between them are the L2 cache and the $100 price. As I mostly use my pc for backing
up my kids movies before they scratch them and for gaming (currently BattleField2),
does the L2 cache make that much of a difference?

Current Setup:
A8N-SLI deluxe
AMD64 3000+
2gb Ram
BFG 6600GT OC

 

[Link]

In your case, the answer is no.
By the way, do you overclock at all? If not, buy either 3800+ or Opteron 165, and overclock it a bit. With a stock HSF and default voltage, either of them can usually be overclocked by at least 300mhz. Don't need to buy 4200 or 4400.

p.s. your video card is a serious bottleneck for your system.

 

[dfuze]

I do overclock. I have my current 3000+ overclocked from 1.8 to 1.96ghz and
it stays mid 30s idle with a zalman fan (forgot the model).

At what point would the extra L2 cache be noticed?

 

[KBTuning]

that cpu will go WAY farther than that... im at 2.25Ghz on stock Voltage w/ my 3000+ Winchester. i think that the extra L2 would be noticed if you tend to open a lot of programs over and over.... or for something like SETI@Home.

 

[robertk2012]

It makes a difference but not $100 difference. Its probably on average as good as 100 - 200 mhz increase in clockspeed. Opty gives the best of everything. High Overclocks and large cache.

 

[3chordcharlie]

For what you want to do, the cache won't matter much, it's all about clock speed.

If you don't mind overclocking, save some bucks and get a 3800+. (Even if you don't want to overclock now, the 3800+ will let you run your backups and still have a responsive system to use).

 

[robertk2012]

Check out the charts at toms hardware.

Link

 

[dfuze]

Thanks for the responses.
Since there doesn't seem to be much to it other than marketing, I think I will
stick with the much cheaper L2 versions if I won't see much gain. Heck I'll gain
it back by overclocking anyway.

Oh, and I just changed my overclocking by changing to manual (new to overclocking)
and am raising and testing the speed as we speak. Last stable speed so far was 2.02
and pushing along further (still temps in the low 30s).

 

[firewolfsm]

you can OC that CPU to at least 2.4, try it

 

[chocoruacal]

I'd go with a X2 3800, as they have a lot of overclocking potential, and there's really no empirical evidence to suggest that the Optys overclock better than the X2s.

 

[robertk2012]

Originally posted by: chocoruacal
I'd go with a X2 3800, as they have a lot of overclocking potential, and there's really no empirical evidence to suggest that the Optys overclock better than the X2s.

Well the world use to be flat and the sun revolved around it.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: KBTuning
that cpu will go WAY farther than that... im at 2.25Ghz on stock Voltage w/ my 3000+ Winchester. i think that the extra L2 would be noticed if you tend to open a lot of programs over and over.... or for something like SETI@Home.

With my 3000 Venice + A64 Freezer HSF I'm at 2.48 with stock voltage...and with value ram!

 

[snor]

Originally posted by: rnp614

Originally posted by: KBTuning
that cpu will go WAY farther than that... im at 2.25Ghz on stock Voltage w/ my 3000+ Winchester. i think that the extra L2 would be noticed if you tend to open a lot of programs over and over.... or for something like SETI@Home.

With my 3000 Venice + A64 Freezer HSF I'm at 2.48 with stock voltage...and with value ram!

3000+ venice DH-E3, 2.7 ghz, 1.55V, zalman 7000Cu, corsair VS.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: snor

Originally posted by: rnp614

Originally posted by: KBTuning
that cpu will go WAY farther than that... im at 2.25Ghz on stock Voltage w/ my 3000+ Winchester. i think that the extra L2 would be noticed if you tend to open a lot of programs over and over.... or for something like SETI@Home.

With my 3000 Venice + A64 Freezer HSF I'm at 2.48 with stock voltage...and with value ram!

3000+ venice DH-E3, 2.7 ghz, 1.55V, zalman 7000Cu, corsair VS.

My mobo bios version limits me to 274x9 haha. I bet this proc has major headroom.