i5 450 -VS- i5 520?

[one33_bpm]

There are plenty of bencharks showing the difference between different models in i5 line: Review Intel Core i3/i5/i7 Processors “Arrandale”

Those benchmarks do not include a 450m. There has been no benchmark made in a *respectable* (ie Anandtech, NotebookCheck) hardware review enabling a fair comparison between the 450 and 520 thus far.

[derpderp]

Smartcache has nothing to do with the multicore score anyway. Only single core may show a boost due to smartcache, and even then, the boost you'll see is more likely the extra 0.33 ghz in single core use of the 520m rather than smartcache, which is still to me a marketing branding since cache sharing exists on all dual core cpus since core 2 duos.
In dual core bench, both 450m and 520m are running at 2.66ghz per core. Hence the very similar if not identical scores. Nevertheless there is a slightly lower score in single core use of the 450m. (where the fight is about 2.66ghz vs 2.9ghz)

http://picasaweb.google.com/11280166...00000225702594

[one33_bpm]

@ derpderp

Until i see a controlled experiment, using two identically configured machines (other than the 450/520 cpu), i take all comments as nothing more than speculation.

Regarding Smart Cache, it is more than just a marketing term...

Getting Ready to Meet Intel Core 2 Duo: Core Microarchitecture Unleashed (page 6) - X-bit labs

While it is true that it has been around since Core 2 Duo, it is a technology that Intel chooses to implement or enable to differentiate their product line. So, while the technology may have existed in previous generations of Intel chips, it doesn't mean that you will get it by default.

If you want to refute the substance of my argument, please provide some supporting arguments *backed up* by a link to a study or experimental data documented by a reputable source.

[hiero]

Why are you guys saying the 450m doesn't have smart cache? It very clearly does.

Compare Intel® Products

edit: I guess there was a typo on that page before but it sounds ridiculous that Intel would take out the smart cache controller when all modern chips have it, and then not advertise it as a reason to upgrade to the 520m

[one33_bpm]

To add an interesting hitch to this schism, is that Intel has updated their "Ark"... Now, they are indicating that the i5-450M does have Smart Cache in it, while the 370M does not.

Compare Intel® Products,

If this is in fact true, then the differences in performance between the 520 and 450 can not be attributed to smart cache, as derpderp stated.

-----

On a side note, i am really disappointed w/ Intel for incorrectly specifying this information when the chips were released, as it affected my decision, and probably cost me more than it was worth.

[one33_bpm]

Why are you guys saying the 450m doesn't have smart cache? It very clearly does.

Compare Intel® Products

edit: I guess there was a typo on that page before but it sounds ridiculous that Intel would take out the smart cache controller when all modern chips have it, and then not advertise it as a reason to upgrade to the 520m

You are right... They just changed the spec sheet. Im mad about it.

[hiero]

To add an interesting hitch to this schism, is that Intel has updated their "Ark"... Now, they are indicating that the i5-450M does have Smart Cache in it, while the 370M does not.

Compare Intel® Products,

It's not highlighted as a difference though (the green lines), which makes me inclined to believe that the 370M DOES have it and it's a typo again. And Smart Cache is a pretty basic thing nowadays, taking it out would be like taking out Speedstep or virtualization. Having features exclusive to higher processors only applies to the newest features (ie turboboost), you don't randomly take out old features as a marketing trick.

[one33_bpm]

so, when i was investigating this issue, i called up Intel and talked to a technical rep. He said that the 370 & 450 did not implement smart cache. I asked him if he was absolutely sure, and all that, and he stated that they decided not to implement smart cache for business reasons. Now, i bet that he was just reading off the ARK spec just like us... Im pissed.

[one33_bpm]

The sh*t of it is that i probably could call up and get hp to give me back some money, but then i'd risk losing my 30% BCB.

[hiero]

so, when i was investigating this issue, i called up Intel and talked to a technical rep. He said that the 370 & 450 did not implement smart cache. I asked him if he was absolutely sure, and all that, and he stated that they decided not to implement smart cache for business reasons. Now, i bet that he was just reading off the ARK spec just like us... Im pissed.

Well smart cache probably wouldn't have made a difference anyways, for most multithreaded applications it doesn't even come into play.

If you want to get your money's worth run programs that can use the AES instructions, start encrypting your zip files, etc