C2D: Cache vs clock speed

[Bossk128]

I'm looking to get a new laptop, so overclocking isn't really on the cards. So I'm interested if at stock speeds (1.8GHz 2Mb or 2GHz 4Mb) an additional 2Mb of cache makes much of a difference?

The machine will mostly be for office use, music apps, some older games, possibly folding- no rendering or encoding.

 

[Bossk128]

Hm, thanks for the advice people. Although I'd like to have an extra 2Mb cache, and the extra 200MHz, I don't think it's worth 60 notes extra over a £520 purchase.

I'll keep humming and hawing, then just go for more power anyway, same as usual. I suppose as it's difficult to upgrade laptops I should get the better CPU.

 

[Bossk128]

Isuppose in a year I'd regret not upgrading it. 10% dearer for ~5% more speed, I guess that's the law of diminishing returns kicking in obscenely early for lappys.

 

[Bossk128]

Personally, I'd put the money towards getting a fast 7200rpm HDD, which will make a much more substantial and tangible boost to performance. It will just feel much faster.

I wholeheartedly agree, but 7200 isn't an option on this model. I've got a spare 7200 though, which I'm going to install XP onto.

 

[Bossk128]

£60 for 2MB extra cache screw that

And an extra 200MHz. I guess if 200 out of 1800 is 11%, and 60 out of 550 is 9% ish, plus the 2Mb, that's not too bad.

That's how I justified it to myself anyway