6420 vs 6400

[perdomot]

How much of a difference will the extra cache on the 6420 make in real world terms and in what areas?

 

[myocardia]

Pretty much only two things benefit from having the extra cache-- SuperPi 1m and video encoding. Although, when working with very large audio files, it also helps. For nearly all other real world apps, it makes hardly any difference.

 

[firewolfsm]

It's around 1-7% advantage. Most apps gain a percent or two, some gain much more.

 

[ineedaname]

I saw some guy do a test where 32m superpi at the same speeds only gave a 7 second difference. But if you can wait why not get that 7 second boost.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: ineedaname
I saw some guy do a test where 32m superpi at the same speeds only gave a 7 second difference. But if you can wait why not get that 7 second boost.

I've seen as small as 2-3 seconds for superpi 32M for a 2M L2 chip vs. 4M L2 chip.

If you're a hardcore bencher, the 4M L2 is what you need, else 2M L2 should be fine for you but nothing wrong with getting the 6420 as it will cost the same as the current 6400. it's just a matter of... can you wait. If you can, go with the 6420, if not go with the 6400.

 

[gramboh]

If you are using your PC for actual applications and gaming other than those mentioned above, who cares how fast it can compute certain values of Pi?