Definition of L2 cache (2024)

FAQs

What is the L2 cache? ›

L2 cache, is a type of static RAM memory used by the central processing unit. It stores frequently used data and instructions. The purpose of caches is to speed up data access for the CPU by avoiding the slower RAM memory accesses.

You can figure this out by dividing the total amount by the number of cores in the CPU. 256KB of L2 cache per core is perfectly acceptable, but gamers might want to look for 512KB per core.

The first-level (L1) cache is small enough to provide a one- or two-cycle access time. The second-level (L2) cache is also built from SRAM but is larger—and, therefore, slower—than the L1 cache. The processor first looks for the data in the L1 cache. If the L1 cache misses, the processor looks in the L2 cache.

Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data access to a processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data. A temporary storage of memory, cache makes data retrieving easier and more efficient.

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With typical hit rates for L1 and L2 caches the addition of an L2 cache can reduce the average memory access time by a factor of 2-4. The average hit rate for an L2 cache is closely dependent on its size and the memory footprint of the application.

Given the same core, more L2 cache typically improves performance between two otherwise like processors depending upon what software is run. For example, if you are running software that is optimized to the smallest cache size, then adding more cache won't improve performance much.

Cache memory operates between 10 to 100 times faster than RAM, requiring only a few nanoseconds to respond to a CPU request. The name of the actual hardware that is used for cache memory is high-speed static random access memory (SRAM).

The L2 cache is usually not split, and acts as a common repository for the already split L1 cache. Every core of a multi-core processor has a dedicated L1 cache and is usually not shared between the cores. The L2 cache, and higher-level caches, may be shared between the cores.

Are registers faster than cache? ›

The CPU of a system can access the cache memory much faster than that of the register memory. When operating on registers, a CPU can operate on its contents at a rate of multiple operations in a single clock cycle. Database Query Cache, Dynamic Page Cache, etc., are a few examples of Cache memory.

RAM is the main memory of a computer that stores the operating system, applications, and data, while Cache is a small amount of memory that is used to store frequently accessed data and instructions to speed up processing time. Cache memory is faster but has a smaller capacity than RAM, and it is more expensive.

Level 2 (L2) Cache:

It may be located inside the CPU chip or outside it, but it's always closer to the CPU than the main memory. The L2 cache can be shared among multiple cores or exclusive to a single core, depending on the CPU architecture. The size of L2 cache typically ranges from 256KB to 512KB.

So while it is generally safe to delete your browser cache, be warned that most web browsers group the controls for deleting your Cache, Cookies, and Browser History all together, so while you might intend to only clear some browser data but end up clearing all of it by mistake.

A full cache needs memory, and if you're full, a bogged down memory doesn't work very quickly. Clearing the backlog could make your device work quicker.

L2 Cache - is a further on-chip cache for retaining copies of the data that travel back and forth between the SMs and main memory.

When CPUs want to accomplish things in a matter of microseconds or even nanoseconds, the slightly higher latency of L2 cache does matter. If a CPU can't find requested data within L2 cache, it asks the next level: L3. L3 cache is a big deal: It's shared between some or all cores within a CPU, and it's big.

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