upgrading cpu cache
 

Why is it that my 5 year old Pentium 3 processor has 512 L2 cache and 16k L1 cache when brand new P4/1.6ghz cpus are made with 256 L2 and 8 L1??

Then, they just release a "new" cpu with.. wow, 512/16k and charge way more money for it.

What happened to technology constantly doubling every year? We're still using PCI, for crying out loud. Something doesnt sound right.

Re: upgrading cpu cache
 

No, thats processing power doubles every six months or something. not technology. and that law is crap, considering "processing power" is a term that can be defined in many ways now.

You have to remember, they could keep on coming out with super duper fast stuff, but they wouldn't make any money. if they move too fast for the market and make products that are too expensive they will lose money and then the companies would fail and no one would get any processors. Take some basic economics courses man, demand has to match supply enough to cover cost of manufacturing and make a profit.

Re: upgrading cpu cache
 

That cache was running at 50% of the Pentium 3's CPU speed. Then, when they moved it to the CPU die, they made it the full speed of the CPU, but dropped the amount to 256k L2. Now it's back to 512, but it's still full speed. So yes, it is an upgrade.