L3 Cache Options

[jimmynitcher]

Hi,
Could someboddy explain to me what level 3 cache is and why it seems so important to many Mac musicians (esp laptop).
Ta in adv
J

[lepetitmartien]

You have 3 levels of cache, cache is a small amount of very speedy static RAM near the processor.

Level 1: inside the processor, same speed as him. small size, very fast
Level 2: outside the chip, same or half speed as the processor, bigger
Level 3: outside the chip, bigger still

Instructions, data etc are going to the processor thru these caches, giving time to the system to gather these and store them for the processor in time for the proc not to wait before doing its job. No time wasted! And the computer is faster than if it was relying only on the normal RAM only.

An old but enlightning explaination page can be found HERE

[Presto]

I use an ibook and have no idea what it is. Doesn't worry me

[jimmynitcher]

Much appreciated folks
- the guys who mention it most use the Ableton Live sequencer (audio only) I suppose the cache may be more important for it's use.
j

[lepetitmartien]

The more power you need, the more reactivity you need the more L3 is important.

A system that use L3 extensively is directly more powerfull. The dual 867 were pretty lame regarding this as an example.

(Don't worry Presto, I know for a long time now that I'm kind of geek/nerd/whatever, and you don't need to know what L3 is to make a great song

[rickenbacker]

Ableton Live sucks up a LOT of power. With only 8 tracks running and a couple of FX (particularly reverb, no surprise) my CPU rate hits 80% and I often get playback problems. It's a cool program, especially v2, but I think its performance needs further optimising. Compared to SX or Logic, you can really feel the difference.

[Presto]

It doesn't worry me, but it's interesting to know, specially if I were chosing a new computer.

Without L3 I do of course, well, could, perhaps, maybe, you never know, well perhaps not, make great songs. Can you get L3s for brains?

I don't think great composers are of any use to this site but geeks/nerds are Thanks to all MM geeks for your help. I'm not sure that great composers actually live on the same planet as most people. Have you seen any on Mars?