What is the difference between an "2M shared L2 Cache" processor and a "2 x 4MB L2 C"

[FrostX]

I am buying a "MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775" motherboard and Iam confused which Processor to buy.
Which of the two Processors work with it?
The Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8GHz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

And the:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115017

If both is accepted from the motherboard,I already know that the Quad Q6600 is better, but is it going to be such a big difference in performance to choose it. it is almost 600$ difference.
Thank you

 

[tipstir]

One shares the level 2 cache on the CPU and the other has 2 different 4MB 2 level cache on the CPU. This one I would go with. Think of these caches as a buffering to and from the CPU thus speeding up the processing power.

If you got the money get the Quad Core one is going to be faster and better than Dual Core...

 

[foozy]

A bigger cache means shorter memory access times.

Personally, at this point in time, I don't think the difference between the Quad core and higher-end Dual cores will be noticeable enough to justify a $600 price jump for most users.

I liked the E6600 more than the E4300 though. I keep hearing that the E4300 is better for overclocking, but I don't overclock

 

[tipstir]

Quad is new, just Dual core didn't stay to long... Again this depends on what the user wants and can afford.

512MB or 1MB L2 Cache which one would be faster, it depends on the system also Memory , BUS Speed an etc..

 

[kitty500cat]

Unless you're doing performance intensive stuff, I recommend the E4300. The quad-core power cannot be utilized by all the programs and games yet, so I'd stay with dual-core. The E4300 is still a pretty good processor, and its overclockability is awesome.

 

[FrostX]

Thank you. I just need now a good cooling system.