Spec comparisons

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sn3rd

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Which makes the most difference: more processor L2 cache or faster FSB? I'm guessing the answer is "it depends"... Let's say for video encoding.

Assuming that a processor 2MB L2 cache coupled with 667MHz FSB is significantly faster than a processor with 1MB L2 cache with 533MHz FSB, how much of a difference would the chipset make? 965 vs 945, that is... ?

How much better (in real life, not just specs) is the Intel GMA X3100 than the Intel GMA950 ?
 
sn3rd said:
Which makes the most difference: more processor L2 cache or faster FSB? I'm guessing the answer is "it depends"... Let's say for video encoding.

Assuming that a processor 2MB L2 cache coupled with 667MHz FSB is significantly faster than a processor with 1MB L2 cache with 533MHz FSB, how much of a difference would the chipset make? 965 vs 945, that is... ?

How much better (in real life, not just specs) is the Intel GMA X3100 than the Intel GMA950 ?
Click to expand...

Cannot help you with the last question, but as far as I know (and that is not that far!) a faster FSB will make a bigger difference than a bigger L2 cache.
Or that is what I think, and from what I have learned, I can be wrong.
 
My understanding is that it is always the package as a whole... is it not true that your system will only be as "strong" as it's weakest link?
 
I agree... That's why I was hoping for some hands-on experience advice :(
 
Cache is just a VERY fast onboard memory of sorts.

Put it this way:

Lets say you have an executable that is 4MB... You have a processor with 4MB cache...

The program at hand will execute at full processor speed. This would be much faster than executing it on a CPU with 2MB cache, as it has to fill the cache in 2 passes.

While FSB is important, it does not dictate overall CPU performance.
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
Cache is just a VERY fast onboard memory of sorts.

Put it this way:

Lets say you have an executable that is 4MB... You have a processor with 4MB cache...

The program at hand will execute at full processor speed. This would be much faster than executing it on a CPU with 2MB cache, as it has to fill the cache in 2 passes.

While FSB is important, it does not dictate overall CPU performance.
Click to expand...

I understand what they are and how they work... I'm asking for hands-on advice... As in, what the REAL effects are with, say, video encoding
 
Processing is done on the CPU.
The cpu has the onboard memory.

The FSB in that case (encoding) has little impact.

In my experience - I can tell you that my SLOWER FSB processor with HIGHER cache - encodes far faster than my other...
 
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