Choosing between Intel processors

[racolvin]

Ok, here are the two:

3.40E GHz 800 MHz BX80546PG3400E RK80546PG0961M 90 nm
3.40 GHz 800 MHz BX80532PG3400D RK80532PG096512 0.13 micron

I know that the 3.40E has 1MB of cache, and the regular one has 512k. I know the difference in die size makes a difference in terms of cooling (thermal density). Other than those two items is there any difference in how the processors actually work? Pipeline stages, etc?

The reason for asking is that I can get the 3.40E for roughly the same price as the regular 3.4 (within $11, so close as makes no difference). Since more cache is generally a good thing, is there some reason other than temps that I would NOT want the 3.40E version?

Confused,
R

 

[superlie]

If only $11 difference, get one with more cache. might be useful later on.

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: superlie
If only $11 difference, get one with more cache. might be useful later on.

That was my initial reaction as well, but one of my reasons for not going 90nm was the thermal density question. A conversation with a friend here locally seemed to think that the 3.4E added some pipeline stages, so the extra cache didn't do anything but make up for the extra stages, resulting in a chip that was no faster than the standard 3.4. ..

I just don't know the answer and from trying to look at Intel's website, I'm more confused than ever.

R

 

[racolvin]

Additional question ....

Does a P4 become a "Prescott" merely by virtue of being fabbed on the 90nm process, or could you have a 90nm "Northwood"?

R

 

[Big Lar]

I have a P4 3.4 Northwood, I would get that, as you will get less heat, and from what I hear, the Prescott won't outrun it til it hits about 4 gigs.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

In answer to one of those questions the Prescott has more stages and is slower clock for clock than the Northwood. The extra cache makes up for that in newer games so they have around the same performance. The Prescott also runs hotter so if you need a cool running cpu the Prescott is not the one for that.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I have both prescotts and northwoods, and the basic difference is that the northwood is faster on MOST games, but things like doom3 run better on the prescott. The prescott runs approx 10F hotter here at my house. The prescott also supports SSE3 and supposedly some 64bit extensions

 

[Slik]

I would go for northwood, even if I had to pay more.

IMO Intel's latest 90nm CPU the prescott is better for offices, business, ect; as heat will not be a problem for that.

Also, prescott isn't overclocking friendly.