NorthWood or Prescott ??

tenoch732 · 10-06-2004, 12:10 PM

whats the difference between the "C" and the " E " in the descriptions of a Pentium 4 processors, like this ones:

--Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading
Technology - Retail

-- Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
(limit 5 per customer)

After look of some post in other forums. I want to believe that its some thing to do with the Prescott probably the "E" loking at the strore lists the "E" have 1MB of Cache.
And The "C" for the Northwood having 512k chache, Pliss tell me if im right.

Also i not sure but i believe that the Norhwood is better than the prescott, in some ways because the cache is bigger in PreScott (1MB) than NorthWood (512k), but i think that Prescott have more heating caused for some overclockin than NW, if i am rigth please let me know if not please correct me.
I Will wait for and quiet explanation from any who knows about it . Please, in base to buy the better one, need to buy a FSB 800mhz CPU cause i have some DDR400 and as i think just work for a FSB800mhz processor, according to the board manual.

Other thing , will anybody recommend me to buy either of the posted CPUs, if so what are the PROs and CONs like the cooling system, also if anybody thing that this is not that good this processor and recommend me to get a 3.0 instead or something please THANKS for any Help

**blackduck30** · 10-06-2004, 05:12 PM

I believe that you are right about the E being prescott and the C being northwood ( 512 cache )
Some people have run the prescott without problems but there is the heat issue . The prescott cpu seems to be more power hungry so a good power supply is essential 450w is said to be a good starting point but around 550 is best if the budget allows.
The northwood is said to be more stable and run cooler, People tend to go towards northwood if they want to overclock or just stay with a cooler cpu.
I have heard of some issues with some mother boards only running 3.2 pcu's at 2.8 but I think this can be resolved with a bios upgrade .
Your choice of cpu can depend on what you would like your computer to do, I have heard of people going from Prescott back to Northwood.
I run a 2.8 northwood clocked at 3.0 with a standard heatsink but using arctic sliver thermal compound to help transferr the heat , also run 3 fans in my case and a 480w PSU. I don't have any issues at the moment with my system.
So if a 1mb cache is important to you and you are prepared to possibly have some issues go the Prescott but personally I like the Northwood

**johnwill** · 10-06-2004, 05:23 PM

I just paid $25 extra for a 3.2ghz Northwood, they run cooler and performance is very similar to the Prescott on most applications and games. If you overclock the Northwood, it probably outperforms the Prescott. I just wanted it because it runs a lot cooler, which translates into less problems in my mind.

tenoch732 · 10-06-2004, 05:52 PM

thanks for the posts. I will be taking notes, and keep listening and reading, to buy the CPU, plus need to save more money, so can buy some good video cards, tv adapter, big HD, also if any body know abput some sites with good profile and taht sell little cheap, or where u guys recommend., thanks..

10-06-2004, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
tenoch732 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4 OS: linux	NorthWood or Prescott ?? whats the difference between the "C" and the " E " in the descriptions of a Pentium 4 processors, like this ones: --Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail -- Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail (limit 5 per customer) After look of some post in other forums. I want to believe that its some thing to do with the Prescott probably the "E" loking at the strore lists the "E" have 1MB of Cache. And The "C" for the Northwood having 512k chache, Pliss tell me if im right. Also i not sure but i believe that the Norhwood is better than the prescott, in some ways because the cache is bigger in PreScott (1MB) than NorthWood (512k), but i think that Prescott have more heating caused for some overclockin than NW, if i am rigth please let me know if not please correct me. I Will wait for and quiet explanation from any who knows about it . Please, in base to buy the better one, need to buy a FSB 800mhz CPU cause i have some DDR400 and as i think just work for a FSB800mhz processor, according to the board manual. Other thing , will anybody recommend me to buy either of the posted CPUs, if so what are the PROs and CONs like the cooling system, also if anybody thing that this is not that good this processor and recommend me to get a 3.0 instead or something please THANKS for any Help Last edited by tenoch732; 10-06-2004 at 12:11 PM.

10-06-2004, 05:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
blackduck30 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,230 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	I believe that you are right about the E being prescott and the C being northwood ( 512 cache ) Some people have run the prescott without problems but there is the heat issue . The prescott cpu seems to be more power hungry so a good power supply is essential 450w is said to be a good starting point but around 550 is best if the budget allows. The northwood is said to be more stable and run cooler, People tend to go towards northwood if they want to overclock or just stay with a cooler cpu. I have heard of some issues with some mother boards only running 3.2 pcu's at 2.8 but I think this can be resolved with a bios upgrade . Your choice of cpu can depend on what you would like your computer to do, I have heard of people going from Prescott back to Northwood. I run a 2.8 northwood clocked at 3.0 with a standard heatsink but using arctic sliver thermal compound to help transferr the heat , also run 3 fans in my case and a 480w PSU. I don't have any issues at the moment with my system. So if a 1mb cache is important to you and you are prepared to possibly have some issues go the Prescott but personally I like the Northwood __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

10-06-2004, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I just paid $25 extra for a 3.2ghz Northwood, they run cooler and performance is very similar to the Prescott on most applications and games. If you overclock the Northwood, it probably outperforms the Prescott. I just wanted it because it runs a lot cooler, which translates into less problems in my mind. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-06-2004, 05:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
tenoch732 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4 OS: linux	cool tips! thanks for the posts. I will be taking notes, and keep listening and reading, to buy the CPU, plus need to save more money, so can buy some good video cards, tv adapter, big HD, also if any body know abput some sites with good profile and taht sell little cheap, or where u guys recommend., thanks..