What is L3 Cache?
What is the major difference between the two.” Answer from LinksMaster “CPU Cache (the example CPU is a little old but the concepts are still the same): http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/cache/structIntegrated-c.html * The initial level of storage on a processor are the registers. The registers are where the actually processing input and output takes place. * L1 cache – Then the level 1 cache comes next. It is logically the closest high speed memory to the CPU core / registers. It usually runs at the full speed (meaning the same as the CPU core clockspeed). L1 often comes in size of 8kB, 16kB, 32kB, 64kB or 128kB. But, it is very high speed even though the amount is relatively small. * L2 cache – The next level of cache is L2, or level 2. Nowadays L2 is larger than L1 and it often comes in 256kB, 512kB and 1,024MB amounts. L2 often runs at 1/4, 1/2 or full speed in relation to the CPU core clockspeed. * L3 cache – Level 3 cache is something of a luxury item. Often only high end workstat
Level 3 or L3 cache is specialized memory that works hand-in-hand with L1 and L2 cache to improve computer performance. L1, L2 and L3 cache are computer processing unit (CPU) caches, verses other types of caches in the system such as hard disk cache. CPU cache caters to the needs of the microprocessor by anticipating data requests so that processing instructions are provided without delay. CPU cache is faster than random access memory (RAM), and is designed to prevent bottlenecks in performance. When a request is made of the system the CPU requires instructions for executing that request. The CPU works many times faster than system RAM, so to cut down on delays, L1 cache has bits of data at the ready that it anticipates will be needed. L1 cache is very small, which allows it to be very fast. If the instructions aren’t present in L1 cache, the CPU checks L2, a slightly larger pool of cache, with a little longer latency. With each cache miss it looks to the next level of cache. L3 cache
As more and more processors begin to include L2 cache into their architectures, Level 3 cache is now the name for the extra cache built into motherboards between the microprocessor and the main memory. Quite simply, what was once L2 cache on motherboards now becomes L3 cache when used with microprocessors containing built-in L2 caches.
