What is Cache memory?

The correct answer is Buffer memory situated between the CPU and RAM.

Key Points

• Cache memory is a small, high-speed buffer memory that sits between the CPU and the main memory (RAM).
• It temporarily stores frequently accessed data and instructions so that the CPU can access this information faster than fetching it from the main memory.
• Cache memory is much faster than RAM and significantly speeds up the processing time of the CPU by reducing the time it takes to access data.
• There are typically multiple levels of cache memory (L1, L2, L3), with L1 being the smallest and fastest, and L3 being larger but slower compared to L1 and L2.
• By storing copies of frequently accessed data closer to the CPU, cache memory helps in reducing the latency and improving the overall performance of the system.

Additional Information

• Cache memory is built directly into the CPU chip or placed on a separate chip that has a direct connection to the CPU.
• Modern CPUs use advanced algorithms to predict which data will be used next and pre-load this data into the cache memory.
• The effectiveness of cache memory is measured in terms of hit rate, which is the percentage of times that the requested data is found in the cache.
• Cache memory can significantly improve the performance of tasks that require repeated access to the same data, such as running loops in programming.
• While cache memory is more expensive per byte than RAM, its performance benefits make it a crucial component in modern computer architecture.