Level 2 cache is cache that is external to the microprocessor. L2 cache contains a subset of the contents of main memory. The design of the memory and L2 cache is a significant way designers differentiate their systems. High-end Pentium systems may use 256-512KB of pipelined,synchronous-burst L2 cache memory together with EDO DRAM. Mainstream systems may use less expensive memory alternatives, such as asynchronous static RAM(SRAM) with fast-page mode DRAM.
in systems with two separate sets of cache memory between the CPU and standard memory, the set between L1 cache and standard memory. [SILC99
A memory cache consisting of static RAM on a motherboard that uses an i486 or higher-level processor. The L2 cache, which typically contains 128 KB to 1 MB, is faster than the system DRAM but slower than the L1 cache built into the CPU chip. Also called level 2 cache. See also cache, dynamic RAM, i486DX, static RAM.
A piece of fast memory that sits between the L1 cache of the processor and main memory. It is usually larger than L1 cache, and the L1 cache checks the...
Caching is the art of predicting what data will be requested next and having that data already in hand, thus speeding execution. When your CPU makes a data request, the data can be found in one of four places: the L1 cache, the L2 cache, main memory, or in a physical storage system (such as a hard disk). L1 cache exists on the CPU, and is much smaller than the other three. The L2 cache (second-level cache) is a separate memory area, and is configured with SRAM. Main memory is much larger and consists of DRAM, and the physical storage system is much larger again but is also much, much slower than the other storage areas. The data search begins in the L1 cache, then moves out to the L2 cache, then to DRAM, and then to physical storage. Each level consists of progressively slower components. The function of the L2 cache is to stand between DRAM and the CPU, offering faster access than DRAM but requiring sophisticated prediction technology to make it useful. The term cache hit refers to a successful location of data in L2, not L1. The purpose of a cache system is to bring the speed of accessing memory as close as possible to the speed of the CPU itself.
Refers to "level 2 or secondary" cache. A type of cache that resides on the motherboard except when referring to an AMD-K6 based machine, where it resides on the processor.
A small amount of high-speed memory traditionally located near the CPU, but which, as of late, has been appearing on the CPU. Frequently accessed data is kept in the L2 cache, which helps improve performance by keeping that information near the CPU, and eliminating the need to fetch it from main memory. The size and speed of L2 cache can have a significant impact on a computer's performance.
Typically consists of SRAM chips near the processor, although the latest Athlon?processors have on-chip L2 caches. This is cache used to temporarily store instructions and data to ensure the processor has a steady supply of data to process until main memory catches up. Also known as the secondary cache, this is the second-fastest memory available to a microprocessor (second only to the Level 1 cache).
Level 2 cache. L2 cache has the same purpose as L1 cache, but is usually not integrated into the processor. L2 cache is traditionally made of SRAM and in socket 7 and older motherboards was in some cases upgradeable. See COAST.
Level 2 Cache, the secondary cache memory found on CPU's, L2 Cache uses extremely high speed SRAM coupled with extremely low latencies which helps improve performance.
The cache that is accessed, on certain RISC System/6000 models, if the L1 cache lookup results in a cache miss. Normally, the L2 cache is larger and slower than the L1 cache, but faster than RAM.