>A question for readers. Prime95 currently uses about 8MB (exponent
>around 11 million). How would you feel if the P4 optimized version
>used 13MB? 23MB? 33MB?
>
>I hate to code up 3 versions of the P4 code (small, medium, large),
>but it might be necessary.
Whether 33MB is important depends when on the P4 time line you are talking
about. IMO there are 3 distinct periods for the P4 in terms of likely
memory configurations.
1. next 2 months:
During this period most systems will be sold to enthusiasts but often
shipping with only 128MB. 33MB would likely be a problem memory
wise. However that is probably a mute point since the SSE2 rewrite &
validation will not likely to be done by then....
2. from 2 months to 6-9 months:
Either few systems will be sold & memory configurations remain on the tight
side OR RDRAM prices will significantly drop so that a average system will
have 256MB so 33MB wouldn't be a big factor.
3. 6-9 months from now:
In this final time frame the P4 will go through the 0.13 micron die shrink
& will be equipped with DDR motherboards. This is the point that the P4
will likely become a processor for the masses & most systems will come
equipped with 256MB+.
So 33MB shouldn't be a problem in the foreseeable future & until that point
the Prime95 code will work although be it at a penality.
Shane
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