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<DIV>Cache size matters because it ensures a steady data/instruction flow to feed the "hungry" CPU, especially with Intel Coreo architecture. With database-type application, larger cache benefits much. In case of GROMACS, unless you deal with very large system, I doubt its effectiveness. It could be better to run some real-world benchmarks. Or look for benchmark that contains software operating in a similar way of GROMACS, e.g. scientific benchmark, multimedia benchmark (decoding/3D rendering, with SSE boost).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>Regards,<BR>Yang Ye
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Frankie Montenegro <frankie.montenegro@gmail.com><BR>To: gmx-users@gromacs.org<BR>Sent: Sunday, September 9, 2007 7:08:54 AM<BR>Subject: [gmx-users] 8MB CPU cache vs 4MB CPU cache: large difference in performance?<BR><BR>
<DIV>Hi,<BR><BR>I am about to purchase several units with Intel's quadcore q6600<BR>processors. Since about 80% of our work is done with Gromacs, I<BR>figured this list is a place to ask performance questions.<BR><BR>I was wondering if there would be any significant benefit in having a<BR>q6600 processor with 8MBof L2 cache over the identical processor<BR>with 4MB of L2 cache. The price difference is about 60$,which doesn't<BR>seem much, but could pile up if we end up buying more then a few units.<BR><BR>Thanks for your help.<BR>_______________________________________________<BR>gmx-users mailing list gmx-users@gromacs.org<BR><A href="http://www.gromacs.org/mailman/listinfo/gmx-users" target=_blank>http://www.gromacs.org/mailman/listinfo/gmx-users</A><BR>Please search the archive at <A href="http://www.gromacs.org/search" target=_blank>http://www.gromacs.org/search</A> before posting!<BR>Please don't post (un)subscribe
requests to the list. Use the <BR>www interface or send it to gmx-users-request@gromacs.org.<BR>Can't post? Read <A href="http://www.gromacs.org/mailing_lists/users.php" target=_blank>http://www.gromacs.org/mailing_lists/users.php</A></DIV></DIV><BR></DIV></div></body></html>