System performance with more RAM than can be cached

Nigel Metheringham (Nigel.Metheringham@ThePLAnet.net)
Fri, 04 Jul 1997 17:15:27 +0100


[This is a bit off-topic. I don't know a better place to ask, but if
there is a good website or mailing list that this issue falls within
please let me know]

I have access to a batch of P120 boxes that are available for me to use up
as servers - I aim to run news or squid web cache on them...
They can physically take 128MB RAM.
They have 256KB L2 cache soldered onto the motherboard - this cannot be
upgraded.
*Only* 64MB can be cached by the L2.

[The motherboards are 8500TVX if that makes a difference]

Normally I would throw as much RAM at the problem as I can.
However would increasing the RAM above the 64MB cachable area cause
performance to go down the toilet?

Nigel.

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