Wreckers

How big a deal is the CPU cache?

I'm looking at two CPUs, same clockrate and all, but one has 512kbx2 cache, while the other has 1mbx2 cache.

Wondering what the difference would add up to. Noticeable for regular use or?

I know less about the CPU use of compilers than I probably should, but I imagine they would benefit just as any data-heavy app does. The single biggest bottle-neck in any system is gettng data to the CPU to process. Your CPU rarely runs at full utilisation on a modern system. So, yes, caching helps and more caching helps more, reducing the strain on the bus to supply data and even reducing the need to perform certain operations within the CPU itself (ie if the result is already cached).

CPU cache is one of the easiest things to gain performance out of in windows apps. I would say more cpu level cache = the good if it doesnt make things grosely expensive.