Hello, this is probably a dumb question, but here goes. I'm looking for how L2 cache compares to RAM. Does a system with a higher L2 cache need less RAM. In other words, how will 512 mb L2 cache with 512mb of RAM compare to 256 L2 cache with 1 gig of RAM.
I'm planning to upgrade my system, and am trying to find out where to put more $$, L2 or RAM. Thanks. derfwy

No such thing as a stupid question...

L2 cache serves as 'short term memory' for RAM. Not as short term as L1, but still much faster than RAM. More L2 does not mean you can have less RAM as it is just a copy of RAM in an easy to access spot.

While more L2 is always better, the best amount of L2 depends on who's CPU you're getting and what you're going to be doing.

Umm, Based on your L2 sizes, I'm going to guess you're deciding between a Sempron and an A64. What are you going to use the system for?

Mike.

You realize that for the desktop, cache is 256k, 512k, 1meg, or 2meg, L2 cache.
And if you are paying for more L2 cache on your chip, then it would demand more RAM to feed it properly, not less.
More L2 cache = better; more RAM up to 1gig = better regardless of cache
RAM greater than 1gig is debatable, as in it depends on if your usage utilizes this RAM to make it a performance enhancer or an inhibitor.

Even better idea....list the cpu's you are debating between and the RAM

(also mobo, psu, and anything else you want to know)

And i will let yu know....odds are you want 1GB before cache upto 1GB of RAM and then after that it depends on the situation...lol RichyRich said.

Thanks to everyone for the quick responces. The componants are going to be a x-mas gift for my daughter. Her current system is 2 years old. Its a Biostar M7VIG-pro MB. The cpu is a AMD Athlon 2400+ Thoroughbred 266 MHz FSB. The graphics card is a second hand $ 20.00 card. I don't know what make or model. The RAM is Corsair value select 2 x 256MB DDR PC2100.
The MB I'm looking at is a GIGABYTE GA-K8N51PVMT-9. It is a socket 939, and has NVIDIA GeForce 6150 onboard graphics. I want onboard graphics to keep cost down. I can always get a graphics card later, if needed. The cheapest AMD 939 CPU I found at NewEgg is a Athlon 64 3000+ Venice, with 512KB L2.
Can I use her current PC2100 speed RAM with the new MB? It calls for PC3200. If not, I'm looking at either the following;
Corsair valueselect 2 x 512MB cass 2.5 $72.50, or
Corsair XMS 2 x 512MB cass 2 $105.00, (newegg).
The main game she plays now is online Warcraft. She said it plays ok most of the time. But it does get fuzzy.
OK, questions,
1. Should I stay with the GeForce 6150 MB? If not, I could save $25-30 with onboard GeForce 6100 MB.
2. If went with the 6100 MB, I could save some $$ by going to a socket 754 AMD type Motherboard. 256 or 512 kb L2.
3. It will be nice if I can use pc2100 ram, but I have a feeling I can't. If I need to buy new RAM, is 1 gig (2 x 512mb) enough? I could get 2 x 512mg now, and 2 x 512mg this summer for her birthday.
Also, I ment to post this in the regular CPU site, NOT the overclocker site. She will not be overclocking.
thank you. derfwy.

The PC2100 ram will work, just at PC2100 speeds and not PC3200. I would just use the ram she already has. If she plays World of Warcraft, you are not going to want an intergrated graphics card, at all.

1GB of ram is fine, she should never need more (atleast not until the rest of that pc is outdated).

You'll want a socket 939 motherboard with PCI Express video card support. This setup will allow you to go fairly cheap now, and upgrad fairly cheap in the future.

I suggest something like a 6800GS for a video card and really any ole 939 motherboard would do (as long as it has PCI-E slots, not sure if they even make ones that dont).

For the CPU may I suggest an AMD64 Athlon 3000+ (Venice). Its affordable but will run rings around that thoroughbred she has now. A 512KB cache is fine really. I played World of Warcraft on this machine and its CPU is a P4 based celeron processor... 2.0ghz 100mhz front side bus and a whooping 128kb L2 cache.

If you really want to, you can go ahead and get a pair of 512MB PC3200 Ram sticks. If your putting all this into her current computer, then you dont need a new case, PSU, HDD, floppy or optical drives, montior, speakers, keyboard and mouse. If this is the situation, you should be able to do all this for under 500$

It seems to me you could save alot of $ by just upgrading her existing comp with good gfx card and maybe more RAM.

Id do what he said and use the existing stuff and pop in a $80 AGP socket 939 mobo, a athlon64 3000, for 150$ ish, a gig of dual channel corsair value select for $80, and a cheap vid card like a ATI Radeon 9200, or 9500. Hopefully you dont have to upgrade any thing else like your powersupply or HDD. You can of course save even more $$ by going with socket 754.