The Effect of the L2 Cache Size, VIA QuadCore vs. Intel Xeon 5110 Server CPUod uživatele VIA Embedded dne 13. srpen 2012 v 11:42 ·
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Written by Christian Caldarone (
ccaldarone@via-tech.de)
This time I would first like to put your attention to the size of the second level (L2) cache and its effect on the performance.The VIA Quad Core CPU has 4 MB L2 cache and Intel Atom Cedar View's 1 MB.
Now please check the independent experts from the IT industry have made efforts to test the influence of the size of the L2 cache in relation to the computing speed.
Patrick Schmid from Tom's Hardware for example wrote as a conclusion in his article "Large Caches: Performance Or A Business Decision?"
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http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cac ... 709-2.html)
that the size of the second level cache (L2) is the most important performance factor on an x86 microprocessor.
To draw a bit more of a vivid picture here, I would like to point you to some benchmarks next, which should help you to understand it is not always about absolute figures, but more about a question of context and relation:
The following figures are taken from cpubenchmark.net:
1. VIA QuadCore L4800 @ 1.46+ GHz --> Average CPU Mark = 1958
(
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=[Quad+CPU]+VIA+QuadCore+L4800+%40+1.46%2B+GHz)
2. Intel Xeon 5110 @ 1.60 GHz --> Average CPU Mark = 2121
(
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=[Dual+CPU]+Intel+Xeon+5110+%40+1.60GHz)
If we set the two figures 1958 for the VIA CPU and 2121 for the Intel CPU into relation, we talk about a difference of only 163 points, or expressed in percent, a difference of only 7.7%. (Please also note the difference in GHz)
The Intel Xeon Woodcrest can still be found in various server appliances as it is quite powerful, has 4 MB L2 cache and offers support for virtualization (VT-x):
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodcrest_ ... #Woodcrest)
With respect to the power consumption the Xeon 5110 has a TDP of 65 Watts. Compared to the VIA QuadCore, which has a TDP of only 27.5 Watts, you could replace one Xeon 5110 with two VIA QuadCores, while still saving 10 Watts of energy!
(
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/proce ... /index.jsp)
Please remember also, that Xeon 5110 is a Dual Core CPU, so if you replace this one by two VIA QuadCore CPUs as mentioned in the above energy calculation, you will get 8 Cores instead of just 2.
Since cores in terms of microprocessors is a little bit like cylinders in terms of cars, you can not expect to double your speed by adding additional cylinders. This is more like if there is a bunch of people siting in your car, but you are still able to go for a smooth cruise while the fuel meter does not move. Now try the same with a two-cylinder car which is not from the new fuel-saving generation plus you have to floor the gas pedal to keep it going.
I guess I do not need to tell you here which conclusion you will make:
Get the VIA QuadCore Beastcar and go for a smooth cruise!