Re: Is TX chipset limited to 64k of RAM? (2)

Jose said:
>
>jmayem wrote:
>
>> Hi all:
>>
>> I have an Asus Tx97E with a P166mmx and 128k of 60 ns EDO Ram.  It seems to
>> be running slower that when I had 64k of Ram.  Is this possible?
>
>This is not only possible, is a fact. The TX chipset cannot cache more than
>64MB. Bring it down to 64MB and you'll see how it speeds up again.
>
>Jose

Hokay. Jeff used to have 64 mb EDO on his nice TX board. Now he has
128 mb. Right??

If you were paging a lot with 64 mb, I dunno why the system would
be slower with 128 mb. It doesn't make sense. Did you tinker with
anything else when you upgraded memory??

The TX board won't allow L2 cache to address anything above the
first 64 mb of RAM. This does not ensure that the system will be
slower with 128 mb.

I would recommend running one or more "benchmark" programs that
measure cpu cycle performance. Try the following:

1.) Run with L2 enabled, 128 mb installed.
2.) Run with L2 disabled (in CMOS Setup), 128 mb.
3.) Run with L2 enabled, 64 mb installed (uninstall the second 64 mb).
4.) Run with L2 disabled (in CMOS Setup), 64 mb.

Compare the numbers. Make inferences.

I'm running a Tyan TX board with 64 mb SDRAM. When I run Wintune
with/without L2, I take about a 4% performance loss for disabling
L2. With slower EDO, I would expect you to take >=8% when running
only 64 mb. But it _may_ make sense for you to run without L2.

If we are _really_ coming into an era of 100+ mhz memory speed, is
it possible that Intel's L2 architecture is becoming more of a
liability than an asset? Think about how much simpler/more-predictable
systems could be without it.

Hope this helps a bit ...

  Zalut,
  David

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** David Nasser                     **     [log in to unmask]  **
** Univ. Mo. St. Louis              **                              **
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"Now, I may look like I'm crazy,
 but poor John do know right from wrong!"
    from "Drop Down, Mama", Sleepy John Estes