P4 1.6 and ASUS P4B266-C \ Did I screw up?

[Texun]

I ordered a cpu and board from Newegg to upgrade my second system. The location of the PC is one where good air flow and cooling is not the best, so I went with Intel for that reason only.

My question is, what is the true performance difference difference between the 1.6 with 256k or 512k cache? Since temperature is a concern the cpu will run at stock specs- not overclocked. It is too late to change it so I guess it really doesn't matter now, but I suppose whatever performance gains I see will be a lot better than the PIII-550 that I am using.

This is (or will be) it when arrives:

MB 845D|6P1A2D P4B266-C ASUS
CPU P4/1.60G 400MHZ 478PIN 256K
DDRAM 256MB|32X64 PC-2100 CRUCIAL
FAN FANNER|COOLER SPEEZE

Thanks -

 

[Nate420]

I think I remember Anand saying that the extra cache added 5~10% performance increase. Some say the noticable threshhold is 5%, some say10%. The 1.6A is only $5 more than the 1.6, I can't imagine why you wouldn't go for the extra cache.

Even with poor case cooling and/or high ambient temps, your temps should be fine at stock speed. You could probably get away with a little o/c even.

 

[EdipisReks]

that's just too bad. the northwood is a much better chip than the willamette. even at the same clock speed, in some apps the northwood is 40% faster than the willamette (there is more of a difference than just an extra 512K of cache). oh well, that's what happens when you don't do research.

--jacob

 

[Dre]

It's not too late to change it. When the FedEx man comes to deliver it, just refuse shipment, tell him to return the shipment to the sender (newegg). Newegg will then credit you back your money within a week or 2, including shipping. I've done this in the past, here is a link to Newegg's policy stating you can do this:

Newegg Shipping Faq

 

[HeinrichX]

The 512KB L2 Cache makes a big difference, when a Intel Pentium comes with 512KB L2 that means its a "Northwood" core processor, meaning its a .13µ (130nm) which runs cooler (which I believe you wanted) and uses less voltage. Also the larger cache improves performance by around 7.5% average.

 

[Texun]

Thanks-

I appreciate almost all of the replies. I have been an AMD user for years and should have avoided the impulse option to buy, but I will send it back and get the right one. Thanks for the advice on how to get it swapped out. Shouldn't be a problem and I'm in no big hurry.

Thanks -

 

[hans007]

if you are gonna buy both new , get the northwood, its probably only $7 or so more.


i had a choice between buying a new northwood retail for $133 +CA tax at newegg so $144 about
or a used williamette 1.6 oem with a coolermaster heatsink for $112 shipped. i bought the williamette since i am not gonna o/c . i think i'll notice the $32 more. but depends how much money you have i guess.

 

[Texun]

hans007

Thanks for the reply... from the feedback I have received so far it looks like my impulse buying finally got me. The order is one the way, but it will be going right back. The Willie would probably do perfectly fine for my second PC, but for the price I might as well get the Northwood while I'm at it. Being an AMD man I should have known to look more closely for Intel's tangled web.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Even with not-so-great cooling, a P4 1.6A should run @ 2.1 Ghz pretty easily; <2 GHz shouldn't be a problem for this chip. The regular 1.6 is a much, much poorer overclocker, runs hotter, and is being discontinued (or at least not shipping much).

 

[SFang]

An easier way for refusing shipment is to call Fedex directly. They will do everything in the computer. So you don't have to wait at home for the Fedex man to come. I did it with Newegg before, works fine.

 

[Dre]

<< An easier way for refusing shipment is to call Fedex directly. They will do everything in the computer. So you don't have to wait at home for the Fedex man to come. I did it with Newegg before, works fine. >>




You can also just tape a note to the door for the FedEx guy, which is what I did. My note said something like "Please return the shipment you will be delivering to the sender". When I got home, the paper was signed by the fedex guy and he wrote that he would return it.

 

[Texun]

Excellent ideas! Thanks everyone. Northwood it is!!!!!!!!

 

[Texun]

Just a final update to this post and a THANK YOU for the info. I RMA'd the cpu, got the 1.6a Northwood and it hauls a$$. Very happy with the upgrade from the PIII-550 that I had. It also runs very cool. I have it slightly OC'd right now at 1850 and it will not go above 34C after an hours of heavy use.

Thanks!

 

[Drsignguy]

Nice going and a very smart move on your part....My Rigs

 

[Jwyatt]

bah dont toy around with that cpu its dying to hit 133 fsb!!

 

[Texun]

Jwyatt

It's going to fit the roof soon enough but I want to get a better video card before I lock it in at full throttle. Using a GF2MX now which is showing its age.


Thanks.