recognizing only 4MB of 8MB L2 cache

Dabigley13 · 2015-05-07, 01:27

I noticed one thing while using Prime95, it doesn't recognize my full L2 cache. I have an older Intel core 2 Quad Q6600 which has not one but two sets of 4MB L2 cache for a total of 8MB. Prime95 is only recognizing 4MB. Is there a setting that needs to be changed to let Prime95 recognize my full L2 cache? Could that cause instability issues?

sdbardwick · 2015-05-07, 02:29

Core2 Quads are actually 2 Core2 Duos held together by bailing wire. The L2 cache for each Core2 Duo is exclusive to that pair of processors.

Edit:
Even if the cache were shared, the only communication between each pair is via the FSB, so cache access to another pair's cache would be about as slow as accessing main memory.

Prime95 · 2015-05-07, 02:40

Whether prime95 detects this as 4MB or 8MB will not make any difference in prime95's execution.

sdbardwick · 2015-05-07, 05:21

Darn it, I wrote basically the same thing and it disappeared!
Oh well, better coming from the creator!

No more posting from a tablet until I become more familiar with the quirks.

Dabigley13 · 2015-05-08, 07:45

Thank you that helps a lot.

2015-05-07, 01:27	#1
Dabigley13 May 2015 4₁₆ Posts	recognizing only 4MB of 8MB L2 cache I noticed one thing while using Prime95, it doesn't recognize my full L2 cache. I have an older Intel core 2 Quad Q6600 which has not one but two sets of 4MB L2 cache for a total of 8MB. Prime95 is only recognizing 4MB. Is there a setting that needs to be changed to let Prime95 recognize my full L2 cache? Could that cause instability issues?

2015-05-07, 02:29	#2
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego Coun 821 Posts	Core2 Quads are actually 2 Core2 Duos held together by bailing wire. The L2 cache for each Core2 Duo is exclusive to that pair of processors. Edit: Even if the cache were shared, the only communication between each pair is via the FSB, so cache access to another pair's cache would be about as slow as accessing main memory. Last fiddled with by sdbardwick on 2015-05-07 at 02:33

2015-05-07, 05:21	#4
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego Coun 821₁₀ Posts	Darn it, I wrote basically the same thing and it disappeared! Oh well, better coming from the creator! No more posting from a tablet until I become more familiar with the quirks. Last fiddled with by sdbardwick on 2015-05-07 at 05:22

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2015-05-07, 02:40	#3
Prime95 P90 years forever! Aug 2002 Yeehaw, FL 17×487 Posts	Whether prime95 detects this as 4MB or 8MB will not make any difference in prime95's execution.

2015-05-08, 07:45	#5
Dabigley13 May 2015 2² Posts	Thank you that helps a lot.