G4 Level 2 CACHE question

steve666

Which of these is better-1 Mb backside level 2 cache or 256 Mb on chip level 2 cache. The older G4s-400-500 mhz had the 1Mb level 2 cache while the 466mhz on had the smaller on chip cache(The more expensive machines also have level 3 cache. Just curious because the 1MB backside level 2 cache seems as though it would be better. thanks...................

stimuli

Depends on the software. However, the G4s w/ on chip small cache also run faster, so generally a 733 will squash the 466, although not by a whole lot.

steve666

What about a G4 450 with 1Mb level 2 cache vs a G4 466 with 256k on chip level 2 cache?



Does the faster system bus of the 466 make much of a difference vs the 450?................................

stimuli

Again, depends what you do. But there is no 466/256kb, so it's kinda a moot point.



clockspeed (& arch.) + bus speed + cache = performance. Remove any one, things slow down. Reduce one and add to the other, performance becomes comparable again. I'd guess that due to the small clockspeed increase and smaller cache, they'd be almost identical, maybe w/ the 450 besting the 466 in a few tasks.



Myself, I'd rather have the 466 for the bus speed and full-speed cache (snappier response). But you may recall the old 533 7410 G4 /1MB being pretty close to the 733 7440/256KB in terms of performance. But that has more to do with the 7410 vs 7440.

steve666

You're right-sorry. The 466 still has the 1Mb level 2 cache. I guess the quicksilvers changed to the on chip cache.



I'm looking for a used G4 again and I am trying to decide between a 466 and 400 or 450 mhz G4. The 466 will have a CDRW but most of the 400s and 450s have a zip drive which I need right now more than a CDRW. Its the possible speed boost due to the 133 mhz bus thats making me lean towards the 466 (and going out and buying a external zip)...................