A question about CPU cache

[sinisuba]

So I've been looking for a CPU for days now, I think I've finally found one.

The only thing is cache. This one has 12MB, and the other ones that people have reported to work with my motherboard have =< 6MB cache.

 

Everything else is the same - FSB, TDP, Socket.

Could 12MB create a problem considering the tested processors are 6mb or less?

[GtaSeriesFan]

I think more cache is better but i don,t know.

[sinisuba]

2 minutes ago, GtaSeriesFan said:

I think more cache is better but i don,t know.

I'm not asking if it's better.

I'm asking if more cache could create incompatibility issues?

[GtaSeriesFan]

1 minute ago, sinisuba said:

I'm not asking if it's better.

I'm asking if more cache could create incompatibility issues?

No.

[itsMilan]

6 minutes ago, sinisuba said:

So I've been looking for a CPU for days now, I think I've finally found one.

The only thing is cache. This one has 12MB, and the other ones that people have reported to work with my motherboard have =< 6MB cache.

 

Everything else is the same - FSB, TDP, Socket.

Could 12MB create a problem considering the tested processors are 6mb or less?

What's the motherboard you're looking at?

[sinisuba]

1 minute ago, itsMilan said:

What's the motherboard you're looking at?

Long story to be honest.

I'm looking at the Q9450 (1333, 95W, 12MB cache), and a few tested processors have everything the same, just less cache.

If cache doesn't matter when inserting the CPU (meaning it won't create incompatibility issues) then I'm good.

[itsMilan]

1 minute ago, sinisuba said:

Long story to be honest.

I'm looking at the Q9450 (1333, 95W, 12MB cache), and a few tested processors have everything the same, just less cache.

If cache doesn't matter when inserting the CPU (meaning it won't create incompatibility issues) then I'm good.

It's probably fine, but to be sure I need to know your motherboard.

Not your processor.

[sinisuba]

1 minute ago, itsMilan said:

It's probably fine, but to be sure I need to know your motherboard.

Not your processor.

I've just Googled a bit further, seems it's perfectly fine. I kinda knew cache doesn't matter too much, it's a matter of tdp and such.

[itsMilan]

2 minutes ago, sinisuba said:

I've just Googled a bit further, seems it's perfectly fine. I kinda knew cache doesn't matter too much, it's a matter of tdp and such.

Ok then, but if someone that wants to help you and needs more information:

Just give it. It makes it so much easier and less annoying.

[Mira Yurizaki]

Chances are if a CPU fits in a socket, the motherboard isn't going to care. And if it does, a BIOS update will often fix it (which unfortunately requires a working CPU in it).

[agent_x007]

@up That is soo NOT true for LGA 775 (OP's socket).
U can have a MB that physically can't support Dual Core CPU's, or Quad Core CPU's,  or Core 2 Duo's 65nm or 45nm CPU's all together.
All this depends on MB layout, chipset used and BIOS installed.

OP : If MB supports 45nm Core 2 Duo's (ie. 6MB cache CPU's).
I'm 99% sure it supports Core 2 Quad's with 12MB (that in fact have 2x6MB and not 1x12MB ).
In this case, BIOS update may be nessessary, but that's it.

[Megahurt]

Motherboards usually have a compatibility list for processors, which can depend on bios version.