cache memory
Processor's quick stash
Cache memory is a small, fast layer of computer memory that stores frequently accessed data for quicker retrieval.
Rather than fetching information from slower main memory repeatedly, the processor checks the cache first: The program runs faster because the data is loaded into cache memory.
Modern processors have multiple cache levels (L1, L2, L3), each trading size for speed.
- CPUMain computing chip
- motherboardComputer's primary circuit platform
- registersRecords officially
- clock speedProcessor cycle rate
- prefetchingLoading anticipated data early
access time · speed boost · evict · line · integrated circuit · silicon chip · L1 · instruction set · tag · computing · embedded systems · power efficiency · bus · hardware · SRAM · semiconductor · processor · latency
memory hierarchy speed/proximity
cache memorymain memory
Computer's active data storage
RAM · hard disk · hard drive · mass storage · disk storage