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Subject: Re: L2-Cache and chess programs

Author: David Blackman

Date: 00:49:37 01/24/00

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On January 24, 2000 at 03:39:12, Howard Exner wrote:

>How does L2-cache effect chess program speed? I just read that the coppermine
>has 256K of on board L2-cache running at core speed. Sounds good, but I'm
>without knowledge if this benefits chess programs. Other chips use more L2 cache
>but not running at core speed. Which is better for chess, less of the faster
>type or more of the slower kind?

I depends on the program. Some would prefer the larger cache. Some would prefer
the faster cache. Some don't really care about L2 cache at all, they just want
fast L1 cache and fast main memory.

The speed difference due to this are probably not huge for most programs.
Remember that a 20% speed difference is usually worth less than 20 rating
points.

We've heard claims of "full speed" or "core speed" L2 caches before from various
companies. Most often these caches have not been impressively fast. I'll wait
until i get hold of a coppermine for testing before i believe it this time.



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