i haven't seen pricing info, but i have to think cache is likely cheaper, it's far more simple in architecture (and hence design difficulty) and has fewer transistors besides, and of course it's also usable by many processors. in any case, a good amount of cache is essential to the processor working at or near it's capacity, adding more processors is a poor substitute at best, even assuming a given calculation lends itself to being run on multiple processors, and some algorithms are hard to coordinate between multiple processors, especially if they have seperate cache (which they do on chip even if not on the processor board). besides, were not talking about a low end cachless cpu, the g4's all have on chip cache and are hardly "low end", external cache is a necessity to make the investment in the processor worth while.
Neil wrote: -------- > > cache isn't free, but it's allot cheaper than a second processor > > that will also be starved for cache. > > Are you sure about that? I thought the cost of cache was almost as high as > a low-end cacheless cpu. ------------ -- "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." (Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights.) -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
