K6-2 and L2 Cache problem

[KGB1]

I don't really use this system much except for printing and doing paint on... but it's a typical Socket 7 system:
Gigabyte GA5X rev 5.2
K6-2 550 (5x/110fsb)
128 MB Ram
Radeon LE
40 Maxtor HDD
Win 2K (SP4)

I know the K6-2 processor does not have an ondie L2 cache... but I didn't notice I had the Onboard L2 cache turned off in the BIOS. So I discovered it was turned off, and so I went ahead and enabled the 512K cache.

NOW the system is extremely slow at boot and has a lot of errors, and Prime 95 comes up with errors while in the past (without L2 cache) I passed prime 95 after testing for 23 hours.

What gives? I thought its supposed to be better, I even tested the system Barebone and still the same problem. Is the Onboard 512K cache corrupt? Is it my CPU? Would a K6-3 be better off?

 

[sandorski]

It is likely your overclock. Put FSB to 100, CPU Multiplier to 5.5. If that doesn't work, up the CPU voltage(should be 2.2v), you can go as high as 2.5v, but just go in small increments.

 

[wincat]

I think the onboard L2 Cache goes be died.

 

[wincat]

If you want to use your K6-2 well,then you must diasable the L2 Cache.The L2 cache seems to bad.

 

[KGB1]

Originally posted by: sandorski
It is likely your overclock. Put FSB to 100, CPU Multiplier to 5.5. If that doesn't work, up the CPU voltage(should be 2.2v), you can go as high as 2.5v, but just go in small increments.

Thanks for the reply, but when I mentioned I tested it barebone... (Multiplier at 5 and FSB at 100 was implied, well to me anyhow) But yes, the system is no longer overclocked, yet I still have the problem I'll probably look into a K63 400 now... it has 256k cache, not as fast mhz wise but it's supposed to be a good performer.

think the onboard L2 Cache goes be died.

hehe welcome to AT.
What? Corrupt or dead? I really never overclocked this machine much... just to 110 fsb, can it really kill the cache? If it is dead, then I wont be able to use it as a L3 cache if I get a cpu with ondie cache

 

[wincat]

Yes.I have a Dourn 600,I really never OVC it but my its L2 Cache goes be died.If you can not keep your computer in a good place,then its L2 cache will easy to died.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: KGB

Originally posted by: sandorski
It is likely your overclock. Put FSB to 100, CPU Multiplier to 5.5. If that doesn't work, up the CPU voltage(should be 2.2v), you can go as high as 2.5v, but just go in small increments.

Thanks for the reply, but when I mentioned I tested it barebone... (Multiplier at 5 and FSB at 100 was implied, well to me anyhow) But yes, the system is no longer overclocked, yet I still have the problem I'll probably look into a K63 400 now... it has 256k cache, not as fast mhz wise but it's supposed to be a good performer.

think the onboard L2 Cache goes be died.

hehe welcome to AT.
What? Corrupt or dead? I really never overclocked this machine much... just to 110 fsb, can it really kill the cache? If it is dead, then I wont be able to use it as a L3 cache if I get a cpu with ondie cache

Try bumping the voltage before spending money, but it is very possible that the L2 is dead. I assume that mobo has been used for 4-5 years or more, so it is probably getting worn down. If you do get a k6-3 you are right, the L3 won't work, but the fullspeed L2 should give you a decent boost.

 

[KGB1]

Originally posted by: wincat
Yes.I have a Dourn 600,I really never OVC it but my its L2 Cache goes be died.If you can not keep your computer in a good place,then its L2 cache will easy to died.

But technically you have a different CPU than mine. My 512K L2 cache is on the motherboard, while your Duron's 64K L2 cache is inside the processor. If you are saying your Duron died because of the L2 cache failure then I would understand, however my Processor does not have the same characteristics as the duron.

I've been trying everything to fix it.. but no luck

Edit:

Try bumping the voltage before spending money, but it is very possible that the L2 is dead. I assume that mobo has been used for 4-5 years or more, so it is probably getting worn down. If you do get a k6-3 you are right, the L3 won't work, but the fullspeed L2 should give you a decent boost.

I wont up the voltage on the k6-2 (stock 2.2v) so I can forget about that... Well time to give the k6-2 a rest and move up to K63 Bliss

 

[madthumbs]

People scoffed at me for telling them to disable the l2 cache for these. On "some" systems it actually increases performance. People argued vehemently... but would it have hurt much to try? Nice to see another person discover what I have. I've read that there are mobos with extra l2 that have different results.

 

[redhatlinux]

My guess would be that your L2 Cache chips are not fast enough for the 100mhz FSB. Many of these mobos were populated with cache by the distributors and lots used slow chips. Just a thought.

 

[RanDum72]

If I remember right, some Socket 7 chipsets' level two cache can create problems when turned on, especially if it is in write-back mode. Some mobos have write-thru mode which eliminates this problem. Try checking if there is a BIOS update for you mobo.

 

[Ionizer86]

On a side note, I think you can pick up a Dell Celery box for $40 from Hot Deals. May end up costing about the same as a new Socket 7 processor, except that you'll have a full system.

 

[CrackRabbit]

just a question is your L2 on a stick (kinda like normal memory) or is it on the motherboard?

 

[wincat]

I give a suggestion to youisable the all the L1 Cache/ECC Cheaking and TrgRAM, except L2 Cache.And try to find the problem.