Just how big a difference does the C2D cache make?

[beckster]

I will mainly be using the computer for games and general use. I am in Korea and the E2140 is 32 quid, the E2200 42, E4300 60, E6750 90, E8400 115, Q6600 130.

How much difference does the cache actually make? At the moment I am thinking the E2200 will be the best bang for buck bet once overclocked. However, some people on the Korean forums are saying otherwise - the cache makes it a crap choice. Please convince which is best to go for for bang for buck! I will be using the CPU in a P35 board (most likely the ds3-r for 60 quid). I am not sure how knowledgable these naysayers are so would like to convince them I am not talking crap when I think the E2200 is best bang for buck. They are advising a lot of people to stay away from the cpu.

 

[steve258]

melbourne720's E2160 vs. E6600 review

My E2140 vs. E4300 review

 

[Geffen]

Toms hardware did a comparison looking at the impact of cache and the impact of doubling the cache size seem to vary from 0% to 20% depending on the benchmark. Overall it seem to show about a 5% to 10% increase going from 1m to 2mb and another 5% to 10% going from 2mb to 4mb. The real thing to note while the performance goes up by about 5%to 10% when doubling the cache the cost of the CPU seems to go up about 30%.

 

[Cyanide]

Massive difference if you're using dual graphics cards

*wishes he had spent more on his cpu*

 

[C64]

I notice a big difference from my 4300 to this 6420 4mb cache in overall response and general usage.

 

[Columbo]

The E2200 is a great choice, fantastic chip. My HTPC is stable 3.6ghz, and with a 512mb HD3850 chews up everything I've thrown at it.

I've also got a Q6600 at 3.8 in my main comp with an 8800GTS and I can see no noticable frame rate difference between them in games.

Of course any rendering / encoding I do, is done on the quad set-up, but still its a brilliant budget setup.

 

[MaVericK010]

The E2200 is a great choice, fantastic chip. My HTPC is stable 3.6ghz, and with a 512mb HD3850 chews up everything I've thrown at it.

I've also got a Q6600 at 3.8 in my main comp with an 8800GTS and I can see no noticable frame rate difference between them in games.

Of course any rendering / encoding I do, is done on the quad set-up, but still its a brilliant bidget setup.

Obviously havent chucked crysis at it!

Personally i'd go for the e8400......£115 you'd be mad not to!

 

[psychas]

go with q6600 i say