blatsha92

if i was to get a 2.53GHz core2 duo upgrade for my notebook, would there be a noticeable margin of difference between getting the one with the 3mb L2 cache instead of spending an extra 100$ to get the 6mb cache?

-what does the L2 cache even do/help with? i have no idea

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***Phenom II 810 @ 3.8GHz***

mothergoose729

Short answer no. 15% faster max, most apps not difference. Still core2 architecture, still 45nm. Same difference between Q9400 and Q9450.

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The Importance of Sub Timings

UndertheGun

As said not worth $100. Difference between 3MB and 6MB on average less than 5% and as said on some makes 0% difference.

What is L2 anyway this link goes into it in detail, link. But the long and the short is when your CPU makes a request for data if it finds it in cache much faster than going to RAM and finding or even more so HDD. Why twice as much is not twice as good. Well the cache holds the most recently needed requested. Well if not found in the 1st 3MB adding 3MB's more does double your chance of finding as you keep increasing size you get diminishing returns. Notice the i7's have reduced the L2 and created L3. If just making the L2 larger would have been faster they would of done. Heck all CPU's would have L1 only but they don't because more levels is faster and smaller up front is faster.

KEITHRH12

don't do it, Plus the hassle of the install, not worth it at all!

Ktulu

It would be a lot of work even if it went perfectly smooth and not sure baout you, but for me it never does. If it is just for a performance gain (and not a manly need to hot-rod something) I would take your 100 bucks, a jar, and a label that says, "New Laptop Fund" and wait a bit.

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ThinkPad T400 Review