Many factors influence the efficiency and speed of a computer. With today's devices, one of the key roles is played by cache memory. What is a computer cache? How important is it to the operation of electronic tools? We answer these and other relevant questions in this article.
Cache memory - what is it and what does it matter?
Every computer, laptop or phone has a main memory, also known as primary memory, where the device stores most of its data. Its large capacity makes it possible to store large amounts of information, but due to the amount of information, retrieving it takes time and puts a significant load on the processor. For this reason, the main memory is accompanied by a cache, also referred to as cache memory.
Wondering what a cache is? In simplest terms, it is a processor memory, characterised by a small capacity, whose operation is helpful in gaining faster access to desired data. It works by determining temporal and spatial locality. What does the cache contain? It is a cache, i.e. files that have been used in a distant time or space, which, as a result of association by the working memory, can be quickly recalled.
This is perfectly illustrated by the following example: if, on your smartphone, you played an online game that you minimised a few days ago, the device will not open it as quickly as, for example, a weather app that you launched half an hour ago. The latter will load, so to speak, "from the background", while the game will most likely load from scratch, along with the start screen. 
When discussing cache on a laptop or cache on a phone, we would use similar terminology, as similar scripts are created. Furthermore, the specifics of how cache works in both cases, on mobile and PC, are similar.
Its capacity depends on the size of the device's primary memory, i.e. the disk, and the class of hardware, while it should be noted that there is no straightforward correlation between cache capacity and performance. Excessively large cache files mean greater effort on the part of the device to find the ones currently needed, thus increasing the amount of time the processor has to wait for a response.
It is worth mentioning at this point that not only the computer, but also, for example, the browser, is equipped with a cache. In fact, it is worth pointing this out as an example of how a cache works. In this case, the cache is simply the search history that the browser refers to every time the user types in a web page address.
Cache levels
Mostly in electronic devices, there are 2 or 3 levels of cache. In a phone, it is usually a two-level structure due to the smaller amount of data the device processes. In computers and laptops there is usually more, hence the addition of another level:
- Cache level 1 - works by association and has the smallest capacity of all levels. The stored data is ready to be read very quickly.
- Level 2 cache - in this case, direct mapping is used and the capacity is slightly larger. It is an intermediary between the operating memory and the processor and the level 1 cache.
- Level 3 cache - operates in multiple ways and has the largest capacity. It is mainly used when level 2 memory is overloaded.
Browser cache clearing - when is it worth doing?
The higher the load on the cache, the more time it takes to search it. So it needs to be 'reset' from time to time. Not sure how to clear your computer's cache? It's very simple.
Simply type the phrase "disk cleanup" in the Windows search bar and then select the application with the same name. The system will then guide you through the cache cleaning process itself.
It is undoubtedly worth clearing the cache in browsers as well. Two clicks are all it takes to do this, i.e. opening the internet browsing history and then sending a delete command to the server.
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