Question about Pent 4. 3.0 on Newegg

T

The[H]uman

Secret Agent Man
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
5,608
Okay below I will post both things and I just want to figure out why it looks like the lower rated chip cost more and they have it on sale to make you think you are getting something better ? the first one wich has a Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB and a .09micron process is 205 while the Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K .13 micron is 218 ??? i'm confused or maybe it's just me one is a prescott and one is the northwood which would be the better chip the prescott i would guess since smaller process and bigger cache but then why is the other more ?

(1) Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology -
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.0GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.25V - 1.525V
Process: 0.09Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)

Model#: BX80546PG3000E
Item#: N82E16819116171
$205.00

(2) One Day Sale, Ends 9/8/2004 4:00 PM PST
Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology -

Specification
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Northwood
Operating Frequency: 3.0GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.525V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)

Model#: BX80532PG3000D
Item#: N82E16819116156
$218.00
 
The issue at hand here is difference in cores. The first you listed is the Prescott core - the final update to the Pentium 4 architecture (that I am aware of), that is why the production process is smaller, and the L2 cache has been increased vs. the 3.0C (Northwood core).

As for which is better...this comes into a point of debate. The 3.0C is a decent overclocker, though the 3.0E processor should be better (the Prescott core, in an effort to ramp up clock speeds, had a few more processor stages added, allowing for speed increases above those possible on the Northwood). So, if you are going to be overclocking, and have good cooling, the Prescott might be better.

At default speeds, however, the Prescott will likely be slower, due to the increased processor stages added over the Northwood core, because less work is being done per stage than Northwood, yet they are running at the same speeds. The addition of the increased L2 cache and the SSE3 instructions are supposed to offset this, but at the current time, as far as I'm aware, they don't.

The final issue comes to heat: Prescott, theoretically, should have a lower heat output due to the shrunken process technology used. Unfortunately, due to issues of leakage and what is believed to be just bad design, the Prescott is a very very hot processor, especially compared to its Northwood based brother. So, if you are using a small case, or have poor airflow, or just will be using a mediocre HSF combo - you might want to look Northwood.

Pretty much to sum up:

Go Prescott (3.0E) if - you have good cooling (high end air or water), plan to overclock decently high

Go Northwood (3.0C) if - you want only basic overclocking (~3.6ghz), have or are going to use stock or low end aftermarket cooling, or are worried about heat issues (such as if you are going to use it in a Shuttle case).

Anything else you'd like to know or are curious about, just ask. ;)

Edit: As for why the older one costs more - supply and demand - Intel is likely halting production on the older Northwood core, and thus costs for remaining processors in the channel will rise...same reason as old Pentium III processors can still run 80-100 bucks.
 
Thanks now if i can just find one of those abit ic7 max3 i think they are called mobo i will be golden :D
 
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