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    What exactly is cache?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by shivy, Aug 28, 2006.

  1. shivy

    shivy Notebook Consultant

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    Please explain in terms I can understand?Whats the difference between 2mb and 4 mb of cache?
     
    shivy, Aug 28, 2006
    #1
  2. rassler

    rassler Notebook Enthusiast

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    To my understanding, it is almost like "memory" for the CPU.
     
    rassler, Aug 28, 2006
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  3. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    What is this for, shivy? HD or CPU or what?

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Aug 28, 2006
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  4. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    drumfu, Aug 28, 2006
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  5. jellystones

    jellystones Notebook Enthusiast

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    2MB or 4MB cache, he must be reffering to the new Core2 Duo processors.

    Cache is a small amount of memory directly inside the processor. Usually when the processor has the fetch something from memory, it 1)fetches it from memory
    2)stores it in the cache.

    The reason for this is because accessing cache is much faster than accessing memory, and you if are doing repitive tasks, the processor can just keep accessing its cache instead of the memory everytime.
     
    jellystones, Aug 28, 2006
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  6. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    CPU on-die memory is also MUCH faster than accessing it from the system's memory - the more you have means faster opertation.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Aug 28, 2006
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  7. snowbrdkid

    snowbrdkid Notebook Consultant

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    cache~cash?
    money, used to buy things??
    lol j/k
     
    snowbrdkid, Aug 28, 2006
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  8. notebookfreak81

    notebookfreak81 Notebook Enthusiast

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    cache or SRAM (static RAM) inticipates the cpu's next set of instructions and hold them there (in cache) for faster accessing. Level 1 cache is usually stored on the CPU its self while Level 2 is stored on the motherboard, between main memory and the cpu. Level 1 cache is usually limited to 8kb to 64kb and quite often referred to as being internal. Level 2 cache is typically 64kb to 2mb and is often referred to as external (because it's location is outside the cpu). Level 1 cache is faster than level 2 cache. When you see a processors specs as offering a certain cache, in most cases it is referring to level 2 cache.
     
    notebookfreak81, Aug 29, 2006
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  9. shadow85

    shadow85 Notebook Evangelist

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    hehe yea the more "cash" the better. same with cache ;)
     
    shadow85, Aug 29, 2006
    #9