Does L2 size affect CPU<->MB compatibility?

[klandingham]

I wanted to search for this question before asking, but the forum web interface I am getting doesn't have search function.

I want to upgrade the processor on an older machine I have. The motherboard is an ECS P4S5A, and it's currently maxed out on memory (2 GB), but there is a little growth headroom on the CPU: currently there is a 1.8 GHz P4 in it.

If I go to ECS's CPU compatibility page for this board:

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Support/CPU_Support_Model.aspx?detailid=38&MenuID=69&LanID=9

...I see quite a few P4's listed as being supported, and the largest L2 size listed is 512 KB.

Is there any reason to suspect that an otherwise equivalent P4 having 1 MB of L2 cache would not also work with the board?

Thanks!

 

[lopri]

There is no inherent compatibility issue between the size of L2 and a motherboard. But often times newer generation CPUs require newer boards, and it is not uncommon the newer CPUs come equipped with bigger L2. Which CPU are you looking to upgrade to?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, because the P4 CPUs with 1MB of L2 cache are Prescotts, and P4 CPUs with 512KB of L2 cache are Northwoods. Different series of CPUs, and they require BIOS/mobo support for each variant of CPU.

 

[klandingham]

Ah...I wasn't aware that L2 sizes correspond to codenames. The MB support page specifically states Northwood's.

Thank you.

 

[Quiksilver]

Larger or Smaller L2 Cache doesn't always mean a new codename. It just does in this case and maybe a few others.