L2-Cache vs. faster RAM - What to go for?

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beatrunner
Posts: 76
Joined: 17:18, 17 November 2005
Location: 9105

L2-Cache vs. faster RAM - What to go for?

Post by beatrunner »

hi all

im looking around for a new DAW and I'm not kind of a PC-specialist!

so i got some offers for DAW-Systems and i have to decide one thing i'm not clear about.

what is "better" for audio-production?

AMD Athlon 64 x2 Toledo 4800+ 2.4 GHZ with 2 MB L2-Cache, 3 GB of DDR RAM 400 mhz [or]

AMD Athlon 64 x2 Windsor 5000+ 2.6 GHZ wit 1 MB L2-Cache?

The Windsor board has less L2-Cache but can "eat" the faster DDR-2 Ram up to 800 mhz...

Can u give me advise? do i realy recognise a difference in RAM with 400 / 533 or even 800 MHZ?

what is more important: high L2-Cache or RAM as fast as possible (800 mhz)....

I'm also trying to find a good HD. Does any of you use a 10'000 rpm HD or does a standard 7200 drive be sufficient? i'm not going to make any big multirecording sessions or that like....

thank you all.

urs
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Artemiy
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Re: L2-Cache vs. faster RAM - What to go for?

Post by Artemiy »

What do you need those 0.2 GHz for if the processor can't access the memory faster and it's execution queue will fit 2x less instructions? Go for the first one, that'll work faster for sure.
beatrunner
Posts: 76
Joined: 17:18, 17 November 2005
Location: 9105

Re: L2-Cache vs. faster RAM - What to go for?

Post by beatrunner »

thank you artemio

to be absolutely clear:

i'm not sure if i understand you correctly.

the 4800+ with its 400mhz RAM will be faster then 5000+ with 560/800mhz RAM?....and this becaouse its Cache is only half? right?

i thought, 5000+ with 3 GB 800 RAM would be killer!

if you could clarify this i'm sure i will save a few $$$

thanks
beatrunner
Posts: 76
Joined: 17:18, 17 November 2005
Location: 9105

Re: L2-Cache vs. faster RAM - What to go for?

Post by beatrunner »

sorry
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