Overview
Cache memory stores frequently used data and instructions so that the CPU can access them much faster than if they were in the main RAM. It acts as a buffer between the fast CPU and the relatively slow RAM.
Hierarchy
- L1 Cache: Smallest and fastest, located directly inside each CPU core.
- L2 Cache: Larger and slightly slower than L1, often dedicated to each core.
- L3 Cache: Largest and slowest of the caches, usually shared among all cores in a CPU package.
Importance
Cache size and speed have a massive impact on real-world performance, especially in gaming and data-intensive tasks.