6 MB L2 Cache vs 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache

[Fried Rice]

which is better? Whats the difference? What is cache ?

 

i tried to google but the more i read the more confused i get.. please explain in layman terms to me

[crazydj]

Okay, firstly, you need to understand that you really cannot compare side by side the two. Different technologies, different way they do things, etc, you get the picture. Difference i don't know, because seriously, i don't look at caches. I look at the CPU model itself and read up on what it can and cannot do. To make it easier, i can have a very very large cache on a Pentium 1 but a tiny cache on my i7 CPU, and my i7 CPU is still much much better. I hope you get this.

 

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Here is a link to explain in further. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache

 

Okay. A CPU cache is basically a form of memory. It is the fastest and most accessible memory to the CPU. It is built into the CPU itself. To make it simple to understand, a CPU first checks its own cache, then the RAM, then the hard disk. Why? Any data stored on the cache is faster to access.

 

Okay, i give you example. Let's say, i am going to overhaul my motorcycle. I have the service and parts manual beside me. The CPU cache. It is beside me because it will be the most used.

 

Further away, i will have my tools. This is the main RAM or volatile memory. The reason why it is further away is because i need to use the size 17 socket wrench most of the time but not ALL the time. Compare this with the service manual which i will ALWAYS need to read, regardless of what i am doing to the bike.

 

For example, to check the valve clearance, i need the service manual. To check the diameter of the piston, i need the service manual. But to remove most of the bolts and nuts which are all a size 17 socket, i don't need it to be beside me because i dont need to use it ALL the time.

 

The most furthest away would be perhaps your laptop or PC which you would use to check misc. stuff like when the parts are gonna be delivered, the optimum operating temperatures in Singapore. This would be your hard disk.

 

This is the simplest form of explanation. Mind not F**Ked yet? Let's begin.

 

So let's say, i really need to use my laptop because i got no service manual. So the laptop or PC, will be brought closer to your tools, because you need to keep accessing it frequently. If you need to use it all the time, it would be right beside you. See where i am going here?

 

Basically, data in the hard disk is loaded onto RAM to be accessed. If the data needs to be used almost all the time, its will be loaded onto the cache instead. Simply put, the cache is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations.

 

I hope you get this.

Edited November 30, 2011 by crazydj

[Fried Rice]

Oh... Good explanation. I understood it thanks!