[ascension15]

I'm in the market for a better processor for my system. I've narrowed my options between an Athlon 64 3700+ and a 3400+, both clocked at 2.4Ghz. It appears the main difference between them is the L2 cache size--the 3700 has 1MB and the 3400 has 512K.

Is it an important distinction? They're the same clock speed but does that extra 512K on the 3700 make a difference?

 

[jmeasy]

the 1mb cache is gonna make a big difference. defiantly go with the 3700. but personally i have 4400+X2(yes duel core). with a 2mb cache and clocked at 2.4ghz. and it was only 200.

 

[ascension15]

Well, I have a socket 754 motherboard. The best I can get is what I mentioned in the OP. It's either a 3400 or a 3700 at 2.4Ghz. Looking at online retailers, it's an additional $100 for the 3700 over the 3400. I wanted to see if the bigger L2 was worth the extra price.

I've discovered that the 754 Athlons are more expensive than even superior 939/AM2 CPUs. If you spent $200 for your 2MB cache 2.4Ghz CPU, I'm looking at $325 for that 3700+ 2.4Ghz 754. Dang.

 

[jmeasy]

yea and mines overclocked to 3.0ghz