SLO 1.3.

7: Cache Memory & its Types

By Hashir Mubeen
 What is Cache Memory?
Cache memory is a chip-based computer
component that makes retrieving data from the
computer's memory more efficient. It acts as a
temporary storage area that the computer's
processor can retrieve data from easily. This
temporary storage area, known as a cache, is
more readily available to the processor than the
In order to be close to the processor, cache
computer's main memory source, typically some memory needs to be much smaller than main
form of DRAM. memory. Consequently, it has less storage
space. It is also more expensive than main
Cache memory is sometimes called CPU (central processing memory, as it is a more complex chip that
unit) memory because it is typically integrated directly into yields higher performance.
What it sacrifices in size and price, it makes up
the CPU chip or placed on a separate chip that has a separate
for in speed. Cache memory operates between
bus interconnect with the CPU. Therefore, it is more 10 to 100 times faster than RAM, requiring only
accessible to the processor, and able to increase efficiency, a few nanoseconds to respond to a CPU request.
because it's physically close to the processor
The name of the actual hardware that is used for cache memory is high-speed static
random access memory (SRAM). The name of the hardware that is used in a computer's
main memory is dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

The cache memory stores the program (or its part) currently being executed or
which may be executed within a short period of time. The cache memory also
stores temporary data that the CPU may frequently require for manipulation.

The cache memory works according to various algorithms,

which decide what information it has to store. These
algorithms work out the probability to decide which data
would be most frequently needed. This probability is worked
out on the basis of past observations.
 Types Of Cache Memory
L1 cache, or primary cache, is extremely fast but relatively
small, and is usually embedded in the processor chip as
CPU cache. The Instructions that are required by the CPU
are firstly searched in L1 Cache. It’s Size: 2KB to 64KB.

L2 cache, or secondary cache, is often more capacious than

L1. L2 cache may be embedded on the CPU, or it can be on
a separate chip or coprocessor and have a high-speed
alternative system bus connecting the cache and CPU. After
searching the Instructions in L1 Cache, if not found then it is
searched into L2 cache by computer microprocessor.
It’s Size: 256KB to 512KB.

Level 3 (L3) cache is specialized memory developed to

improve the performance of L1 and L2. L1 or L2 can be
significantly faster than L3, though L3 is usually double the
speed of DRAM. In multicore processors, each core can
have dedicated L1 and L2 cache, but they can share an L3
cache.
Thank You
Allah Hafiz