OT: CPU Cache Question

Cliff Etzel wrote on 7/9/2007, 2:01 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my AMD processor and have a quick question.

Does having more cache improve the performance of rendering video and audio??? I currently have a 3800+ X2 AM2 and am looking at the 5600+ X2 which has 1MB cache per core. Any thoughts?

Cliff Etzel
bluprojekt

Comments

GlennChan wrote on 7/9/2007, 2:12 PM

1- On the old rendertest.veg (e.g. the one with lots of results, but not the HDV version) cache didn't really seem to help. That's from what I remember, though I could be wrong. Actually I think I'm wrong there since there weren't any results between similar processors with different cache sizes.

2- Most hardware sites show that the larger cache only helps by a few to several percent.

IMO... it's not a big deal either way since it's a very small difference in performance. I think it is better to get a processor with higher clock speed than the same priced processor with a bigger cache.

Cliff Etzel wrote on 7/9/2007, 10:28 PM

Since going the AMD route, CPU options seem pretty sparse in relation to the juggernaut known as Intel - My setup isn't even a year old - Is Intel really that much faster for a given CPU as compared to AMD?

Anyone know if there are price drops expected in the near future and should I hold out?

I'm still editing DV footage but am anticipating a move later this year to HDV and am trying to figure out if I should consider jumping back to Intel Processors and MoBo's (Any word yet on the AMD Quadcores?).

I really hate the idea of consuming yet again after making the investment I did last year.

Any recommendations out there?

Cliff Etzel
bluprojekt

John_Cline wrote on 7/9/2007, 10:33 PM

"Is Intel really that much faster for a given CPU as compared to AMD?

Currently, yes.