I don't know if you've read my other messages, but here goes again:
I think the reason for the increase in price is that your have dual processors, but that you are dealing with Pentium Pro processors. Are they Pentium Pros? If they are, it is because Intel make Pentium Pros with 256K cache and they make Pentium Pros with 512K cache. The difference in cost is huge. This cache is not secondary cache; the type with which most people are familiar. It is internal cache, built right into the chip. It is much faster than secondary cache. I own a computer retail business (on the side) and I remember checking the prices at one point. It sounds like Compac is in-line with their pricing. Why did your supplier tell you that it is because of dual-processors? Probably because you are talking to a salesperson, not a technician. A dual processor motherboard will sort-out the problems with syncronizing the two processors (that, along with the OS). If you are dealing with regular Pentiums or Pentium MMX's, you are not getting a good price. The cache should not cost that much for secondary cache.

BTW, regular secondary cache costs retail stores about $12.00 Canadian for 256K. If you go with a big name company, you might be looking at $25.00 Canadian.

>>>I am ordering a Compaq server that will run MS SQL Server. To upgrade from 256 to 512 pipeline burst cache costs $1000, so I'm told. Is it worth it? I'm not even sure what pipeline burst cache is.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Ross
>>
>>Funny, it cost me about $50. But I don't use a Compaq. I have been told that with EDO RAM pipeline cache is not as important as it was. I have not confirmed this but they seemed pretty confident. If you have a non-EDO RAM memory PC and the Compaq pipeline is < $100 (like it should be -- or you can search for a better outlet) then it is worth upgrading to.
>>
>>Tom
>
>The supplier said the cache is so expensive because of the dual processors. The real reason is probably because with government purchasing contracts the suppliers know we aren't allowed to buy from anyone else. Anyway, we ordered the cache mainly because we had a problem on another server with somebody installing cheapo RAM; I'm afraid somebody will come alomg and try to put in some $19.95 cache and crash my server, so I thought it best to fill it up now.
>
>Thanks for all the comments.