cache memory
4 synonyms for cache memory, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small pool of very fast memory built into or beside a processor that holds copies of the data and instructions it has used most recently, so that they can be fetched again without waiting for slower main memory.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
CPU cache
processor cache
fast memory
How to use cache memory
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
L3 cache memory
cache hit
cache miss
cache size
shared cache
Technical. Often shortened to cache when the context is hardware.
Etymology
From cache, a hiding place, from French cacher, to hide, combined with memory.
Full origin of cache memory →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cache memory and RAM?
Both are volatile working memory, but cache memory sits on or beside the processor, is measured in megabytes rather than gigabytes and is far quicker to reach. RAM is much larger and holds everything currently running, while the cache keeps only the small slice being touched right now.
What do L1, L2 and L3 mean?
They are levels of cache arranged by distance from the processor's cores. L1 is smallest and fastest and sits inside each core, L2 is larger and slightly slower, and L3 is bigger still and usually shared between cores. The processor checks each level in turn before going out to main memory.
Is cache memory the same as a browser cache?
No, though the idea is the same: keep a copy of something nearby so you do not have to fetch it again. A browser cache stores web pages and images on your drive, whereas cache memory is physical high-speed memory inside the processor.
