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.

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
 >