Technology has gone so far that every person has a phone, laptop, or computer today. And while using all these things, the same thought must have come into your mind: what is cache memory and how does it work? In this post, I will tell you what is cache memory and how it works.
We usually know two types of memory in the computer. one primary memory, which is called ROM, and the other temporary memory, which is called RAM. But apart from these two, there is another memory that we have in common. includes types of tools, one of which is cache memory. But many of us do not know what is cache memory or how it works on our devices. So let's know.
It is used to hold the data and the parts of the programme that are used most frequently by the CPU.
By the operating system, the data and program parts required for CPU processing are transferred from disk to primary memory and then from primary memory to cache memory, from where the CPU can easily access them.
Whenever the CPU needs any data, it first finds it in the cache memory.
If the CPU gets that data in the cache memory, then it continues its process with that data, and if the data is not found, then the CPU looks for that data in the RAM or primary memory, where most of the time there is a possibility of getting the data.
Cache memory reduces the data access time from the main memory of the CPU. Due to this, the performance of the CPU increases significantly.
It is a small, chip-based computer memory that is much faster than main memory, and sometimes it is also called "CPU memory," as it is very close to the CPU chip.
RAM's data transfer speed and data access time are slower than those of the CPU. Therefore, when the CPU requests a program from the RAM, the RAM takes a certain amount of time to deliver the program, so that the performance of the CPU deteriorates.
That's why cache memory is used here. makes a backup of data or instructions from the RAM memory address to the cache memory. Therefore, whatever data the CPU needs, it checks for it in the cache memory.
If data is found in cache memory, then the CPU processes the data; if data is not found in cache memory, then the CPU has to go to RAM. The same data is stored in the cache memory, which the CPU needs again and again.
That's why you must have also noticed that when you run a programme repeatedly on a computer or mobile device, it loads very quickly, but if you load any programme or application sometimes, it takes some time to load.
L2 is the second type of cache memory. The size of the L2 cache is more capacitive than the L1 cache, which ranges from 256 KB to 512 KB. The L2 cache is located on the computer's microprocessor. After searching for instructions in the L1 cache, if they are not found, they are searched for by the computer's microprocessor in the L2 cache. The high-speed system bus interconnects the cache with the microprocessor.The cache memory of the last level 3 is larger than that of levels 1 and 2, but its speed is much less than the first two levels. The storage capacity of L3 cache memory can be up to 8 MB.
It is used to increase the performance of L1 and L2. Level 3 cache memory can also be outside the CPU. Level 3 cache memory is the same for all processors.
Cache memory is part of the CPU itself. Due to the different levels of cache memory, its status may also vary from computer to computer. In most modern processors, the L1 and L2 cache memory is a part of the processor core itself. But the L3 cache is either located in the processor or on the motherboard.
We usually know two types of memory in the computer. one primary memory, which is called ROM, and the other temporary memory, which is called RAM. But apart from these two, there is another memory that we have in common. includes types of tools, one of which is cache memory. But many of us do not know what is cache memory or how it works on our devices. So let's know.
What is Cache Memory?
cache memory, A high-speed semiconductor computer memory chip is used to increase the speed and performance of the CPU. Cache memory is much more expensive than primary and secondary memory. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the primary memory.It is used to hold the data and the parts of the programme that are used most frequently by the CPU.
By the operating system, the data and program parts required for CPU processing are transferred from disk to primary memory and then from primary memory to cache memory, from where the CPU can easily access them.
Whenever the CPU needs any data, it first finds it in the cache memory.
If the CPU gets that data in the cache memory, then it continues its process with that data, and if the data is not found, then the CPU looks for that data in the RAM or primary memory, where most of the time there is a possibility of getting the data.
Cache memory reduces the data access time from the main memory of the CPU. Due to this, the performance of the CPU increases significantly.
It is a small, chip-based computer memory that is much faster than main memory, and sometimes it is also called "CPU memory," as it is very close to the CPU chip.
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How does Cache Memory Work
When an application is started or data is read or written, the CPU is not able to directly fetch the data from the hard disc because the hard disc is very slow, so the data is loaded into the primary memory RAM. RAM is faster than a hard disk, but it is not as fast as a CPU.RAM's data transfer speed and data access time are slower than those of the CPU. Therefore, when the CPU requests a program from the RAM, the RAM takes a certain amount of time to deliver the program, so that the performance of the CPU deteriorates.
That's why cache memory is used here. makes a backup of data or instructions from the RAM memory address to the cache memory. Therefore, whatever data the CPU needs, it checks for it in the cache memory.
If data is found in cache memory, then the CPU processes the data; if data is not found in cache memory, then the CPU has to go to RAM. The same data is stored in the cache memory, which the CPU needs again and again.
That's why you must have also noticed that when you run a programme repeatedly on a computer or mobile device, it loads very quickly, but if you load any programme or application sometimes, it takes some time to load.
What are the types of cache memory?
By now, you have learned what is cache memory and how it works. Now let us see how this cache memory can generally be divided into:- Level 1 Cache Memory
- Level 2 Cache Memory
- Level 3 Cache Memory
Level 1 cache memory -
This is the first level of cache memory, which is known as Level 1 cache. Level 1 cache memory is small in size; this memory is installed in the CPU itself, and its speed is very high. which stores a very small amount of data.If the CPU is four-core, then each CPU core has its own Level 1 cache memory. Its speed is the same as the CPU's.
Level 1 cache memory size varies from 2 KB to 64 KB. When the CPU needs any data, it first checks it in Level 1 cache memory itself; if the data gets to the CPU in Level 1 cache memory, then the CPU does not check the rest of the levels and processes the data.
Level 2 cache memory -
Level 3 cache memory -
It is used to increase the performance of L1 and L2. Level 3 cache memory can also be outside the CPU. Level 3 cache memory is the same for all processors.
Advantages of Cache Memory
- It stores all the data and instructions used by the CPU repeatedly, which increases the performance of the CPU.
- This helps make the CPU fast.
- The data access time of cache memory is less than that of primary memory.
- Data is stored temporarily in the cache memory. It stores only the data that the CPU needs frequently.
Disadvantage of Cache Memory
- It is more expensive than other memories.
- Its storage capacity is quite handy.
- It stores the data temporarily.
- Devices that have very little cache memory tend to hang very quickly.
- As soon as the computer is turned off, the data in the cache memory is also destroyed.
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What is operating system?
Where is the cache memory located?
Cache memory is part of the CPU itself. Due to the different levels of cache memory, its status may also vary from computer to computer. In most modern processors, the L1 and L2 cache memory is a part of the processor core itself. But the L3 cache is either located in the processor or on the motherboard.