Vista - CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista

**Brink** · 07-05-2007

How to Set Vista for the CPU L2 Cache Memory Size

...

Click here to read the entire tutorial

NicoVO · 07-24-2008

Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800)

**Brink** · 07-24-2008

Hi NicoVO, and welcome to Vista Forums.

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 has two Dual Cores in it. Each Dual core has 6144 (6MB) for a total of 12 MB. You would use the Decimal setting 12288 since the L2 cache is shared fully between the cores with this CPU model.

This diagram provided by Itwally can help show this:

Code:

                FSB
                 |
                 |
--------------PROCESSOR--------------  
|                |                  |
|                |                  |
|            12 meg L2              |
|                |                  |
|                |                  |
|   ------------------------------- |
|   |         |         |         | |
|  core0     core1     core2  core3 |
|                                   |
-------------------------------------

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**ltwally** · 07-24-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hi NicoVO, and welcome to Vista Forums.

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 has two Dual Cores in it. Each Dual core has 6144 (6MB) for a total of 12 MB. You would use the Decimal setting 12288 since the L2 cache is shared fully between the cores with this CPU model.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Actually: The Q9450 is a Yorkfield. The Yorkfield is the latest generation of Core2Quad cpu's, and has a single, unified L2 cache.

For these new processors, the following is a correct diagram:

Code:

                FSB
                 |
                 |
--------------PROCESSOR--------------  
|                |                  |
|                |                  |
|            12 meg L2              |
|                |                  |
|                |                  |
|   ------------------------------- |
|   |         |         |         | |
|  core0     core1     core2  core3 |
|                                   |
-------------------------------------

This has a couple major benefits:
1) The Yorkfields have larger cache's, across the board.
2) All four cores can have access to the same data. There is no need to copy it from CacheA to CacheB. Because threads routinely flop around from core to core, this can be a real benefit. Also, it is a benefit for multithreaded apps.

**ltwally** · 07-24-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by NicoVO

Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800)

NicoVO: You're quite lucky to have one of the new Core2Quads. I wish my board could handle one.

Yes, the correct L2 cache size for your CPU is, indeed, 0x3000.

**Brink** · 07-24-2008

I see. Thank you Itwally. I have updated the tutorial for this.

Shawn

NicoVO · 07-25-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by ltwally

Quote: Originally Posted by NicoVO

Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800)

NicoVO: You're quite lucky to have one of the new Core2Quads. I wish my board could handle one.

Yes, the correct L2 cache size for your CPU is, indeed, 0x3000.

Thank you for the correct answer. And yes, I'm lucky to be the owner of it. My mobo is a Striker II Extreme (790i SLI Ultra) which can handle this easily.

**ltwally** · 07-25-2008

Nice. I've got a 680i chipset in mine.. and while it should be able to handle the Yorkfield, for some reason it is listed as not-supported.

**Brink** · 07-25-2008

Maybe in the next BIOS update, they will support it.

**abovesecret** · 07-25-2008

THis is a noob question.

I have an Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T8100 with a L2 Cache size of 3 MB. I am unsure of the hex setting since I only see a setting for 2 MB and 4 MB. So what should I set mine for 3 MB? Thanks

**Brink** · 07-25-2008

Hi Abovesecret, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I would dot Decimal and use 3072.

Shawn

07-05-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,068 posts	CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista How to Set Vista for the CPU L2 Cache Memory Size ... Click here to read the entire tutorial
My System Specs

07-24-2008
NicoVO Vista Ultimate x64 2 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800)
My System Specs

07-24-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,068 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista Hi NicoVO, and welcome to Vista Forums. The Core 2 Quad Q9450 has two Dual Cores in it. Each Dual core has 6144 (6MB) for a total of 12 MB. You would use the Decimal setting 12288 since the L2 cache is shared fully between the cores with this CPU model. This diagram provided by Itwally can help show this: Code: FSB \| \| --------------PROCESSOR-------------- \| \| \| \| \| \| \| 12 meg L2 \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| ------------------------------- \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| core0 core1 core2 core3 \| \| \| ------------------------------------- Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

07-24-2008
ltwally vista64 323 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Hi NicoVO, and welcome to Vista Forums. The Core 2 Quad Q9450 has two Dual Cores in it. Each Dual core has 6144 (6MB) for a total of 12 MB. You would use the Decimal setting 12288 since the L2 cache is shared fully between the cores with this CPU model. Hope this helps, Shawn Actually: The Q9450 is a Yorkfield. The Yorkfield is the latest generation of Core2Quad cpu's, and has a single, unified L2 cache. For these new processors, the following is a correct diagram: Code: FSB \| \| --------------PROCESSOR-------------- \| \| \| \| \| \| \| 12 meg L2 \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| ------------------------------- \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| core0 core1 core2 core3 \| \| \| ------------------------------------- This has a couple major benefits: 1) The Yorkfields have larger cache's, across the board. 2) All four cores can have access to the same data. There is no need to copy it from CacheA to CacheB. Because threads routinely flop around from core to core, this can be a real benefit. Also, it is a benefit for multithreaded apps.
My System Specs

07-24-2008
ltwally vista64 323 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista Quote: Originally Posted by NicoVO Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800) NicoVO: You're quite lucky to have one of the new Core2Quads. I wish my board could handle one. Yes, the correct L2 cache size for your CPU is, indeed, 0x3000.
My System Specs

07-25-2008
NicoVO Vista Ultimate x64 2 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista Quote: Originally Posted by ltwally Quote: Originally Posted by NicoVO Hi. I'm also using a Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU's 2x6144 (12MB), but as I can see, you're using a size of 6 MB for your cache. Shouldn't this be 12 MB (HEX = 3000)? (you're using HEX = 1800) NicoVO: You're quite lucky to have one of the new Core2Quads. I wish my board could handle one. Yes, the correct L2 cache size for your CPU is, indeed, 0x3000. Thank you for the correct answer. And yes, I'm lucky to be the owner of it. My mobo is a Striker II Extreme (790i SLI Ultra) which can handle this easily.
My System Specs

07-25-2008
abovesecret Vista Ultimate 32bit/64bit 5 posts	Re: CPU L2 Cache Memory setting in Vista THis is a noob question. I have an Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T8100 with a L2 Cache size of 3 MB. I am unsure of the hex setting since I only see a setting for 2 MB and 4 MB. So what should I set mine for 3 MB? Thanks
My System Specs

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