Does Cache Size Really Boost Performance?

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*Source: THG (http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/...r/index.html)*
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The first processor that came with L2 cache (though it was not integrated) was the Pentium Pro in 1995. It had either 256 kB or 512 kB second-level cache on the die and thus had a significant performance advantage over the regular Pentium processors whose cache memory was located on the motherboard. With the introduction of the Pentium II on the Slot 1 module, dedicated cache memory was planted onto the processor. However, it wasn't before the second-generation Pentium III for socket 370 when cache memory could be found on the actual processor die. This hasn't changed to date for performance reasons, but there still are some processors with little cache and those with a lot. So is it worth spending money for more cache? In the past, extra cache really did not make much difference in performance.

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