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CPU question

RunesoulRunesoul Member Posts: 28
in Off-Topic Discussion

Can anyone explain to me what Front side bus is?  I am trying to decide what type of processor to get.  I was thinking a 2800 64bit Athlon because they are a lot cheaper but it is only 333 FSB (I know its doubled on Athlons).  Does the 3000+ model have 400 FSB?  I dont really know how much of a difference FSB has on anything.  So.... I anyone could enlighten me I would be greatly appreciated.

By the way i was looking at the deals on the front of newegg.  Is this anygood and would it work with the PC's im talking about? http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=13-131-478&DEPA=0

What do the L1 cache and L2 caches do?

Thanks.

Runesoul

Comments

  • thepharaohthepharaoh Member Posts: 41

    I'm going to try to explain this as elementary as possible, so give me some room.

    The FSB stands for Front Side Bus.  This the bus that connects the CPU (processor) to you RAM and other computer components.  L1 and L2 cache are memory stores located on the FSB.  As the CPU processes commands, other commands have to wait in line, and this is where the L1 and L2 cache come in.  It's like a shopping line at a register.  The commands wait in the L1/L2 catch until it's time to be processed.

    I'm not much of an Athlon fan, so I can't answer your Athlon question.  The FSB can determine sheer processing power.  Let's take a P4 2.4 GigaHertz as an example (insert bad joke here).  The 2.4 now comes in a 500 FSB and 800 FSB.  The 800 FSB can process much faster, so it's much more expensive.  The difference is using a bullet train to travel instead of a bike.

    Now, I may still be a bit wrong, so any Tech Engineers or Computer Geeks correct me.

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