Re: Large (8M) cache vs. dual-core CPUs

Bill Moran wrote:
> I've been given the task of making some hardware recommendations for
> the next round of server purchases. The machines to be purchased
> will be running FreeBSD & PostgreSQL.
>
> Where I'm stuck is in deciding whether we want to go with dual-core
> pentiums with 2M cache, or with HT pentiums with 8M cache.

Dual Core Opterons :)

Joshua D. Drake

>
> Both of these are expensive bits of hardware, and I'm trying to
> gather as much evidence as possible before making a recommendation.
> The FreeBSD community seems pretty divided over which is likely to
> be better, and I have been unable to discover a method for estimating
> how much of the 2M cache on our existing systems is being used.
>
> Does anyone in the PostgreSQL community have any experience with
> large caches or dual-core pentiums that could make any recommendations?
> Our current Dell 2850 systems are CPU bound - i.e. they have enough
> RAM, and fast enough disks that the CPUs seem to be the limiting
> factor. As a result, this decision on what kind of CPUs to get in
> the next round of servers is pretty important.
>
> Any advice is much appreciated.
>

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