Cache,cpu,FSB,Ram

scott

I was looking through my spare parts and it seems I have enough stuff to put together another box ( Less CPU and board ) So ... I was wondering what FAH really needs. What effects FSB and cache have on Folding speed how ram intensive is it ?
Which would fold faster

Intel Celeron 2.0 GHz 400MHz FSB, 128K Cache - Retail

Specification
Model: Intel Celeron 2.0 G
Core: Northwood
Operating Frequency: 2.0GHz
FSB: 400MHz
Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/128K
Voltage: 1.525V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)

or

AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail
(limit 5 per customer)

Specification
Model: AMD Athlon XP 2000+
Core: Thoroughbred
Operating Frequency: 1.67GHz
FSB: 266MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/256K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

They are both the same money witin a few bucks and mobos are about the same price for either board.


And what would you consider the minimum amount of ram for a folding only box running XP Pro ?

thanks for you thoughts

Scott

primesuspect

The athlon XP will fold faster than the Celeron, I think.

edcentric

cache, ram and FSB have very little impact on folding speed. Some, but not much.
Raw math power is the major factor.
You can compare pure arithmetic scores from Sandra for an idea of relitive folding speed.
The XP will out fold the Celly

csimon

raw processor speed is what you need ...preferably AMD because of it's faster FPU. My barton @ 2.42 ghz outfolds my p4 2.53 ghz.

edit: prices on most cpu's should coming down real soon (like this week)

mmonnin

New CPUs=lower prices.

Yeah get the XP with a NF7 w/o the S.