[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | Motherboard and System Devices | System Cache | "Layers" of Cache ]

Level 1 (Primary) Cache

Level 1 or primary cache is the fastest memory on the PC. It is in fact, built directly into the processor itself. This cache is very small, generally from 8 KB to 64 KB, but it is extremely fast; it runs at the same speed as the processor. If the processor requests information and can find it in the level 1 cache, that is the best case, because the information is there immediately and the system does not have to wait. The level 1 cache is discussed in more detail here, in the section on processors.

Note: Level 1 cache is also sometimes called "internal" cache since it resides within the processor.

Next: Level 2 (Secondary) Cache

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