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Question about CPU: L1 & L2 Cache etc.

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by var1016

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Yes, it's me again!

This time the questions concern my new CPU, which is an AMD64 x2 5600+.

I have unwittingly bought the "Brisbane" version which has 2 x 64kb L1 cache and 2 x 512kb L2 which I believe to be on the low side. I would like to hear your views on this - the 90nm "Windsor" had larger caches.

Finally, I have had to install the processor using the old fan and heatsink from my AMD 64x2 4000+ since the motherboard does not have provision for the four-wire fan supplied with the 5600+. Current temps are 35?C (94?F) - the CPU really isn't being asked to do anything much - but ambient temperature here even at 11:50 p.m. is 27?C - 80?F.

As always I would be most grateful for your comments.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

25 replies

by nepenthe0

Hi, Paul! You're supposed to be hiking in the Swiss countryside this beautiful summer season, not messing around with computer processors.

According to the AMD website, SIW is telling you the truth: 65nm state-of-the-art technology:

http://tinyurl.com/9fmzo

It's true that Intel is in the process of developing a 45nm dual core processor, but it's not yet available.

L1 is 2x64MB; L2 is 1MB. Not sure why SIW is telling you that the L2 cache is 2MB, but it's possible that you have a later production run with an additional 1MB in L2 cache. Good for you.

Now get back to the mountains where there's fresh air and deer grazing in the meadows...

Rick/Portland OR

by var1016

SIW is telling the truth - I have edited my post: The Brisbane version is supposed to have 2 x 512kb L2.

I suppose that instead of wandering about in the mountains, I prefer to sit here smoking and drinking beer and pretending to learn about computers whilst listening to Ravel's exquisite piano music on my (partially) vintage hi-fi!

As for the meadows, it's all cattle - or nearly all - I trod in some on Saturday whilst watching the local motor rally...

Thanks again and all the best.

Paul

by older mycroft

And has been living inside my gaming rig since early March.

CPU Full Name Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Name Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8500 @ 3.16GHz
CPU Code Name Wolfdale
Technology 0.045?

L1 I-Cache 32 KB
L1 D-Cache 32 KB
L2 Cache 6144 KB

:)

by var1016

Ha-ha! Looks like I should have bought a new motherboard and an Intel processor!

In reality, as I have written elsewhere, like most of the computer users on the planet, what I have here is far in excess of my real needs!

Thanks again

Paul

by rob miners

I find that it is best to have something that will perform when the going gets tough. ;)

We used to use the cow pats as frizbees, and on a cold winters morning with no shoes it was a good place to warm your feet after getting the cows in. :)

by computercookie

you also need to check the values that XP is using, if it can't determine the L2 it will use the default of 256KB.

by var1016

That's something new to think about. I have XP-Pro with SP3.

I hate to ask, but how do I go about finding this information?

Thanks for your contribution.

Paul

by ontheropes

It's a free download from: http://www.freshdevices.com/freshui.html

You have to leave a 'name' and email address but my experience has been that the only thing they use your email address for is to send you the free registration code and program update notifications. I haven't gotten a drop of SPAM traceable back to Fresh Devices.

Their program FreshDiagnose tells you many things about your system, including your L2 cache, while FreshUI allows you to tweak many of your settings.

by var1016

Thanks - I have made the edit (it was set to 200 now it's 400) and it has made a considerable difference - even TechRepublic messages load more quickly.

I used CPUID to remind me that I had 2 x 512kb because I have no idea what VB is!

Best wishes and thanks again,

Paul

by rob miners

Ropes I didn't think that I was ever going to be able to use that software again as my old codes didn't work anymore. Never thought to reregister. ;)

by ontheropes

It's been 438 days since I last used FreshUI and that was probably to tweak my L2 Cache setting. For some reason XP doesn't recognize the correct setting for a Pentium D 820 so I had to tweak it. I can't say it's made a noticeable difference but at least it's set correctly.

by var1016

"I find that it is best to have something that will perform when the going gets tough"

Well that's a recommendation!

"We used to use the cow pats as frizbees, and on a cold winters morning with no shoes it was a good place to warm your feet after getting the cows in."

Yes but round here in the winter, you'd have to be quick otherwise the pats would be frozen solid!

Paul

by rob miners

I was born and raised in the Snowy Mountains NSW. I like the climate here in QLD where I have migrated to. Nice and warm most of the time. ;)

by var1016

Thank you very much. I have downloaded the two programs you mentioned, but sadly they are in French, (might as well be in Bulgarian or Japanese!!) so I have contacted them.

Best wishes

Paul

by var1016

Thanks very much: my excuse? Hot and heavy here today - waiting for the inevitable thunderstorm.

best wishes

Paul

by var1016

Hello.

I chnaged the language and whilst most of UI is now in English the column on the left headed "applications" remains in French; fortunately I can understand it!

I used the Diagnose program to establish the level of L2 cache and it said "unknown". I then went to UI, selected the setting to adjust L2. It said it was 0! So I set it to 512kb and at least the computer still boots!

Going back to "Diagnose" it still says "unknown"!

Very mysterious I think!

Paul

by var1016

Thanks TB; CPU-Z says 512kb. Actually I think that the computer is no faster with the AMD 5600+ than it was with the (Brisbane) 4000+!

Best wishes

Paul

by computercookie

I thought one of the "gentlemen" would have pointed you in the right direction.

It doesn't mateer whether you use a program like CPUID or their PC Wizard 2008 (you should get a copy of that tool also), a VB Script or another program. The only way you can change the DWORD value is to change the registry.

Go to this link and follow the instructions.

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5109814.html

If your processor has 2 x 512 you should change the value setting to 400 (i.e. 1024 KB, 800 = 2048KB) if the original setting was 0, this is because this is the default value for 256KB.

You should notice that your computer boots quicker. Also, XP's response is a little bit snappier (however you want notice that after a while!!!

Jeff

by var1016

Not effing HTML!

Aaaarrgghh! I run a couple of blogs on Google's Blogger. Recently I wrote an article for one of the blogs, and couldn't post it because "Your HTML is invalid". Load of rubbish: I didn't touch the HTML (I know enough about it to leave it alone as far as possible). The format of the article is a disgrace, but I cannot do anything about it. To get it to publish I kept deleting yards of the usual gibberish until finally it went; how the gibberish got there I haven't a clue!!

I think that HTML and I are never going to get along!

Best wishes

Paul

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