Q1Computer Architecture
Question
2 marks
Q.1. What is Cache Memory?
Answer
Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory placed between the CPU and main memory that stores frequently accessed data/instructions to reduce average memory access time.
Cache memory is a small-capacity, very fast semiconductor memory (typically SRAM) positioned between the CPU and main (DRAM) memory. It exploits the principle of locality of reference (temporal and spatial) by holding copies of recently and frequently accessed instructions/data, so the CPU can retrieve them at near-processor speed instead of waiting for the much slower main memory, thereby significantly reducing the average memory access time and improving overall system performance.