Pentium 3 Upgrade Question

[Carbo]

I'm running now on a P3 500. It's a Slot 1, 100 FSB, 512KB. The maximum upgrade this older Intel mobo will accept is a P3 600. My question is what is the difference between a P3 600 processor rated at 256KB cache versus 512. I see that two versions are available and I'm wondering if they are compatible, and if there is a notable performance difference. The difference in price has me wondering. Thank you.

 

[hausdave]

I doubt that an upgrade of this nature is worth the trouble.

 

[Carbo]

<< I doubt that an upgrade of this nature is worth the trouble. >>

I'm kind of thinking the same thing. But, I'm upgrading to Windows XP Pro from W2K Pro and I'm worried I may be underpowered for that new OS.
I'm also thinking if I can find a P3 600 at auction it might be worth my while.

 

[Viper GTS]

512K cache = off die cache running at a fraction of CPU speed
256K cache = on-die cache running at full speed

The reason the 512K's are so expensive is that they are the fastest P3 with 512K, & some applications (namely servers) benefit more from a larger slower cache than a smaller faster cache. The 512K versions are old (Deschutes core, .25 micron, I believe), & are long out of production. The 256K version is a Coppermine P3, 0.18 micron & much more recently produced.

Viper GTS

 

[AndyHui]

Not worth the trouble and the money that you pay is definitely not worth the performance difference.

 

[Carbo]

Thanks for the info, guys. I think I'll stick with what I've got for the time being. The ol' dinosaur still has some legs left...........

 

[Zukatah]

I have a P3 500 (Katmai) Slot 1 like you and I'm running Win Xp and it's fine. To make the run smoother I bought a 256mb stick because 128 barely does it.

I think you should be allright