Are all P4's created equal?

[Etruscan]

I have to purchase a P4 processor. But because I've been using AMD CPUs for so long I don't know much about P4 CPUs. The one thing I need to know about is the L1 cache. The machine I'm using at work right now tells me, from a little program I use called CPUinfo, that it is a Willamette P4 running at 2.4Ghz. It has 8kb level 1 Data cashe; 12kb level 1 Code cashe; and 512 level 2 cashe. That doesn't seem like very much level 1 cashe comapared to the way AMD constructs a CPU.

I know there are different versions of the P4 and I know they have different bus speeds 533 800 etc. My question is: are there different models with more level one cashe or are they all like the Willamette 2.4?

[maface]

This may help

[mike_sanfil]

I know that they had to drop some of the L1 cashe on the first few p4's. Not sure why, but I did read that somewhere.

[Etruscan]

Yeah, maface, that helps, thanks. Intel lets you compare processors on a chart they have there. However, it only lists the L2 cashe or the L3 cashe (mostly N/A). There is no mention of L1 cashe on their site, I can find.

[Etruscan]

I have to go now. I am not on a computer of my own, but a virus ridden beast that I have to pay to use. I won't be able to check back until about 20 hours from now. So, if anyone posts and wonders why they don't get answer - that's why. I'm still wondering if they are all the same or if I have to look out for the "special ones" with good L1 , you know, always trying make the best buy.

[PresterJohn]

no, the L1 cache has been the same for all p4's TTBOMK (not sure about the p4EE but i believe it applies also)...some of the very early p4's had a zero L2 cache.

shouldn't matter very much since they aren't available in the retail channels anymore of course.

[Etruscan]

Thanks Prester John; that narrows it down to the very latest P4s and probably won't be buying the latest, fastest one. The old dollars problem ...

[thekingofpain]

Speaking of a 2.4 if you are looking for a direct replacement (for the board you have) there are 3 versions of it---a, b and c with a 400, 533 or 800mhz fsb, so make sure of compatability---
Willy has 256k cache and Woody has 512k...

[Etruscan]

Thanks for the alert King. It is not a direct replacement; rather a new installation. The L2 cashe info about the various---a, b and c bandwidths is available. It is the L1 that is a bit of mystery to me. But I'm just ignorant - they are probably all 12kb plus 8kb like the Willamette.

[Xtreeme]

L1 has stayed the same.

"from a little program I use called CPUinfo, that it is a Willamette P4 running at 2.4Ghz."

Eh? I thought the willys stoped at 2gig. Sure that isnt a 2.4A northy? THats 100fsb. The Northy B I built my friend is 2.4gig 133fsb. I just find it odd to see a 2.4willy even existed in mass production. A proto yes-. They dumped that fab! Even the Celery P4's are just the same as Northwood die with cut down cache. If willy went to 2.4gig Id think a cel or two would use it? THis is odd. Think maybe cpu id saw 100fsb and though willy automatically.