Hi Geoff.  Thanks for checking in.

You wrote:

on the tual p3's the cache is full speed, the difference between the 256kb
and 512kb models of the p3
(the ones at 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 etc) are the 256kb ones don't do dual cpu,
the 512 ones do (not sure about the dual thing anyway, anyone wanna
confirm?)

so the tual p3 range has 3 models basicly:
celeron
p3 256kb
p3 512kb

it was only the early p3's which had 512kb cache that ran at half speed,
like this one:

CPU type:  Intel Pentium III (Katmai) processor
CPU speed:  550 MHz
L1 cache:  32 KB (16 KB code + 16 KB data)
L2 cache:  512 KB

That's what I have, 450 MHz.  I think my cache is on a chip separate from my
uP, too.

where as this is a tual p3 1.4ghz:

CPU type:  Intel(R) Pentium(R) III CPU family      1400MHz
CPU speed:  1400 MHz
L1 cache:  32 KB (16 KB code + 16 KB data)
L2 cache:  512 KB

also, you are looking at spending $220 just on a cpu, imo you would be
better simply getting a new motherboard, ram, and cpu

If I do it, I'll be getting the Celeron for $120.

AMD is best value currently, you will get a lot more speed from say, an
xp2500, nice new motherboard, and DDR ram helps lots too, also becuase

this

is a more balanced system, it has fast board ram and cpu
but then, some poeple don't like, or not really that bothered to do their
pc's up themselves, if you are not very good at pc hardware and would have
to get someone else to do it for you, this makes the cost go up by quite a
bit (labour)

This thread did not take me exactly in the direction I planned on going.
Other posters reminded me that with just a tiny bit more money, I could get
a whole new computer.  So I'm putting my (faint) energy into building the
new computer, as you suggest.  Except for upgrading the uP, I canceled plans
to spend any other money on upgrading this old computer.

Acknowledging your advice about the Athalons.  I know they've been a
favorite of SETI crunchers for [at least] a few years.  I might do it.

Ciao,
            -Neil-


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