cache?

[TheMacNamedDre]

i dont know much about computers so ive been reading on how stuff works, ive been reading about "caches". i dont really understand. is a cache a part u can buy separately?

 

[Cleric7x9]

cache is just a small amount of memory that is used for many different purposes. your CPU, your harddrive, everything has cache. cache isnt something you buy, thats like saying you want to buy more trunk space for your car. if you say which type of cache you are interested in im sure we can give you some more info about it, but there are lots of different types of cache.

 

[The_Other_One]

Previously, yes... Computeres had some cache and you could expand it. Current computer don't have expandable cache. Any more, it doesn't make that much of a difference. Of course the more the better, but typically there's not a huge difference between different levels of cache and actual performance.

 

[TheMacNamedDre]

ooooo okay that makes a lot more sense thanks guys
so pretty much you buy parts with a cache in it?
and what does PSU stand for?

 

[Cleric7x9]

PSU is Power Supply Unit, most people just called it a "power supply" tho

 

[DCIScouts]

And to answer the other question, yes if a particular part needs a cache, it will come with it. The main parts that I believe make a difference are the processor and the hard drive. (The processor actually has 2 caches... )

 

[TheMacNamedDre]

oooo thanks cleric7x9
i get it now

ooo okay thanks DCIScouts
but does that mean a processor can have 2 L2 cahe's?

 

[DCIScouts]

Nope, there's a Level 1 (L1) and a Level 2 (L2) cache. There's debate over which is more important to have more of, but that's for people that know more about the construction and physical operation of processors.

 

[TheMacNamedDre]

ooo i see..
well thanks man
stay up

 

[NetworkPhantom]

Okay here's a simple way to explain what it is, just think of it as a temporary QUICK ACCESS STORAGE, for example, when you stream a song, and relisten to the song like one hour later, the song would already be fully loaded, because it was stored in a "cache" that's just a VERY BASIC EXPLANATION
but yeah

 

[Geoff]

but does that mean a processor can have 2 L2 cahe's?

Yes a processor can have two L2 Caches. Dual-core processors that are two separate dies have their own L1 and L2 caches, so a dual core configured that way would have two of each.