Matthew Prazak writes:
 > 
 > I would expect that both CPUs are just fine, but that the IIi will be
 > a stronger CPU, overall.  For example, a 300MHz Ultra 30 workstation
 > (IIi CPU) has SPEC benchmark scores similar to the 500MHz Sun Blade
 > 100 (IIe CPU) last time I checked.
 >

Oops, I just realized my typo:  The Ultra 30 workstation has an
UltraSPARC II, not IIi, which further explains its benchmark scores
(2MB cache vs. 256KB cache must be worth something).

Matt

 > 
 > If your options are the 650MHz IIi vs the 500MHz IIe, then the 650MHz
 > IIi will be substantially faster with double the cache and faster
 > clock (Sun marketing materials say 50% better performance, but I
 > haven't really looked for hard numbers to back this up).
 > 
 > For a decent bit of anecdotal evidence, aceshardware.com runs off a
 > single 500MHz IIe, if I recall correctly.  For general purpose
 > workloads, disk I/O is more limiting, anyway.  Just look at the
 > responsiveness of those multi-GHz P4 systems--they really aren't that
 > big of a deal unless you do true CPU-bound work.
 > 
 > Disclaimer: I can't answer your question about the NetBSD support, so
 > get more information before deciding.
 > 
 > Good Luck,
 > Matt
 > 
 > Joel CARNAT writes:
 >  > Hi,
 >  > 
 >  > 	I'm planning to buy a SunFire V100 and saw there were two kinda proc:
 >  > http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Devices/System_Board/SYSBD_SunFireV100.html
 >  > 
 >  > 	So here're a few questions :)
 >  > 	-> Does NetBSD supports both UltraSPARC IIe and IIi ???
 >  > 	-> According to SUN specs, there are not that different - looks a bit
 >  > like Intel Pentium vs Celeron - is that right ?
 >  > 	-> Should I absolutely not buy an IIe or are they OK ?
 >  > 	-> I'm planning to get the N19-UUE1-9S-256EX1
 >  > (http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Systems/SunFireV100/component.V10
 >  > 0.html) - any "NOOO, DO NOT BUY THIS ONE !!!" before I fill the check in
 >  > ???
 >  > 
 >  > Thanks for answers,
 >  > 	Jo
 >  > 
 >