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    Differences in L2 Cache

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by taigech, Aug 4, 2008.

  1. taigech

    taigech Notebook Consultant

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    How much of a difference does 3mb of cache make?

    (i.e the difference between a P8600 and a T9400). I know there's a 10W difference in the TDP, and a 0.13ghz difference between the cores.. but I can't really quantify the performance difference generated by the cache.
     
    taigech, Aug 4, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I would estimate the performance difference to not be that big. The P8600 would definitely give you a cooler notebook though.
     
    Greg, Aug 4, 2008
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  3. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    I don't think anyone would notice a difference in performance between the two, however as Greg said, the P8600 would be noticeably cooler; it would also give you better battery life and a quieter laptop.
     
    Bog, Aug 4, 2008
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  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Difference on L2 is from 0% to 8% tops depending on application. Many threads with graphs and links. Anandtech did the tests google 2mb vs 4mb L2 or 3MB vs 6MB L2 should return 1st link.
     
    powerpack, Aug 4, 2008
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  5. gavinh

    gavinh Notebook Evangelist

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    Would one see a difference between 3mb and 6mb cache when encoding/converting movie files or is that still limited to 8% tops?
     
    gavinh, Aug 5, 2008
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  6. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Thats a good question; I don't know. CPUs are so powerful nowadays that you will only notice differences between models in the same family if you push them to the limit. IF you do web browsing and office applications, you won't notice the difference between 3MB and 6MB of cache; but video encoding? I don't know.
     
    Bog, Aug 5, 2008
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  7. gavinh

    gavinh Notebook Evangelist

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    I do a lot of xvid to h.264 for my iPhone. Hoping I made a sound investment on a P9500 vs P8400.
     
    gavinh, Aug 5, 2008
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