Optimize Large Second Level Cache (Windows NT/2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Optimize Large Second Level Cache (Windows NT/2000/XP)
Category: Home > Hardware > Processor and Motherboard

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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Windows is optimized for a 256KB secondary cache by default. With most computers now having L2 caches larger than that it pays to take the time to change the setting to correspond to the size of the cache memory installed.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, of modify the existing value, named "SecondLevelDataCache" and set it to equal your L2 cache size in Kb's (decimal).

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Note: This tweak is only useful for older processors with the cache located external to the CPU.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
SecondLevelDataCache	REG_DWORD	0x00000200 (512)


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memo...

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\
Memory Management]
Name: SecondLevelDataCache
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: Cache (in Kb) using Decimal Notation

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: October 4, 2002

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