CPU L2 Cache ECC Checking......Enabled/Disabled in BIOS?!?

[theNEOone]

How should I have this setting in the bios? I read Tom's guide on BIOS settings, but I don't think he mentioned this. Also, should the setting for 'Video RAM Cacheable' be enabled or disabled?
I'm looking for performance here....
A few system specs that may be relevent:
256 Mushkin High Performance RAM
256 Crucial Cas2 (Coming Tuesday)
Athlon 1ghz
Herc. gf2gts2 32mb

 

[wfbberzerker]

what kind of motherboard do you have?


if your computer is set up as a server, you may want ecc enabled for safety. however, if you just have a normal computer, you may want to disable ecc as it causes a performance drop. (for future reference, buy normal ram, not ecc, if you dont need it for a server, because its cheaper)

 

[theNEOone]

i have an abit ka7-100
i don't have ecc ram....ack!

 

[Sugadaddy]

Look here.

 

[pm]

He is referring to the L2 cache - not main memory. Personally I'd leave it enabled.



<< however, if you just have a normal computer, you may want to disable ecc as it causes a performance drop. (for future reference, buy normal ram, not ecc, if you dont need it for a server, because its cheaper) >>

The performance drop is negligible (on the order of 1%). The price difference nowadays is pretty negligible too:

Crucial.Com 168-pin DIMM:
256MB CAS 2, unbuffered, ECC: $43.19
256MB CAS 2, unbuffered, non-parity: $41.39

So, essentially a ~4% increase gets you ECC.

ECC is useful for anyone who values the data and uptime of their computer, not just servers. If the computer is used for any important task, then I recommend ECC. With prices being what they are, and the performance drop being essentially insignificant (it's within the margin of error on most benchmarks), I don't think there's a strong case for not getting ECC if your motherboard supports it. If it saves you from one just one problem with your computer over the lifetime you own it, then it's more than paid for itself.


Thanks for bringing that back from the dead, Sugadaddy. That was definitely the best discussion of ECC that I have seen on this BBS

Patrick Mahoney
IPF Microprocessor Design Engineer
Intel Corp.

 

[drewski]

i agree with PM. enable the l2 cache ECC.

on the question of the video caching, i'd say disable it.

 

[BFG10K]

I disable L2 ECC and video RAM cacheable. You should definitely disable at least the latter option because all it does is waste system RAM.