How much difference does the cache make on C2duo?

[stealthy123]

I am gong to try to upgrade my core 2 laptop before the CPUs get hard to find, and I am currently running a 2.4 ghz with 3mb cache.

I read what reviews I could find comparing the caches and it seems I will get a bit of performance out of moving to a 6mb cache version, and as a consequence of that I will also end up getting 400-500mhz more processor speed.

I can save quite a bit if I stick with a 3 or 4 mb cache version while still getting the mhz boost.

Is it worth it to spend 100-150 more on the 6mb cache version? or would the faster chip for less be the way to go.

I don't know much about the intel side of things, and just figured out this morning there is no such thing as a hyper threaded core 2, which is what I would have really liked. Unfortunately I can't run quads so that is out of the question. I can run extreme edition cpus, but I am not sure I would want to overclock a laptop so I am leaning towards not going that route.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[chrispycrunch]

The last time i checked, cache was useful for such things as adobe photoshop and various apps. For apps that want fast cycle processing (math calcs), higher CPU frequency mattered more.

 

[GoldenTiger]

For the core 2 CPU's, the cache made a minimal difference outside of a few specific cases like photoshop (10-15% difference) and a couple of odd games like Supreme Commander )similar). I wouldn't waste the cash on it for a laptop CPU. The clockspeed is far, far more important.