What is L1 Cache?
Level 1 or L1 cache is special, very fast memory built into the central processing unit (CPU) to help facilitate computer performance. By loading frequently used bits of data into L1 cache, the computer can process requests faster. Most computers also have L2 and L3 cache, which are slower than L1 cache but faster than Random Access Memory (RAM). When we request programs or files from a standard platter hard drive, the device must search the internal disks for the information by sliding a head mechanism across the platters, roughly analogous to the way a needle reads a phonograph record. However, in the case of a disk drive, there are multiple platters and the head is magnetic, reading at a very high rate of speed. Nevertheless, the standard hard drive is the slowest storage device on the computer, compact disk drives aside. We normally think of RAM as being quite fast because it is so much faster than hard drives. RAM is a temporary holding area that becomes active when the computer b
