What size COAST module to go with. \ VOGONS

What size COAST module to go with.

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First post, by DojoDan

Posted on 2020-09-23, 11:32

DojoDan Offline

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Joined: 2014-04-02, 12:01

Hi all. Just a quick question. I'm looking to put a COAST module in my AST P166. I'll be honest that I haven't scrutinized the motherboard yet but it does have an empty COAST slot and CPU-Z doesn't report any lvl2. I don't know upto what size the board supports, and I know bigger is better right, but I'm only looking to run 32MB RAM. So, shall I just go safe and buy a 256k or is it worth trying a 512k? Do I really need a 512 for only 32MB RAM?

cheers

Reply 1 of 2, by mpe

Posted on 2020-09-23, 11:45

mpe Offline

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I assume your AST P166 uses an Intel chipset where as far cacheability is concerned the cache size doesn't matter (only cache tag type does). Anyway, 32MB is below cacheability limits of any cache type you can likely get.

512kB is going to give you 2-4% of performance boost in some apps compared to 256kB.

Blog|NexGen 586|S4

Reply 2 of 2, by DojoDan

Posted on 2020-09-23, 14:32

DojoDan Offline

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Posts: 9
Joined: 2014-04-02, 12:01

There are two chips marked SB82437FX-66 and SB82371FB on the motherboard. From a quick googling possibly 430FX? There's no onboard cache. Would something like this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-512kB-COAS … on/224163890552

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