AMD Athlon XP Cache Question

[autobot]

Ok, i am no longer going to go w/ the a7n8x, but rather a SHuttle an35n, seem nice, no frills, inexpensive.
Anyways, here is my question. I looking at newegg.com, at the Athlon XP 2600+ , but there are two of them. One w/ a 512k L2 cache, running at 1.9gHz, for $109 (barton). The other runs at 2.08gHz, w/ a 256k cache, at $104 (thoroughbred). Which is the better buy?

[juicelooser]

the barton will perform better.

[autobot]

damn, that was quick. another question, if i plan on adding an aftermarket CPU cooler, the Zalman CNPS3100+ Pure Copper CPU Cooler to be exact, should i still get the RETAIL box, or is it safe to go w/ the OEM, and save a little.

[Cricket]

Are you talking about the CPU? If you're going to use an aftermarket heatsink, get the OEM CPU. It doesn't come with a heatsink like the retail unit...but it doesn't have the 3 year warranty of the retail CPU either. But if you get the retail CPU, you have to use the AMD heatsink fan unit with the thermal pad. If you use anything else, you void the warranty.

Cricket

[Glaive]

So in other words:

Don't bother getting a retail box processor if you're going to use an aftermarket heatsink, since you pay extra for it and you'll void the warranty by using the other one anyways.