L2 Cache (Level 2) (2024)

In this article, we have explained the idea of L2 Cache (Level 2) in depth along with location, size and how to check L2 cache size and compared it with other standard caches like L1 and L3 cache.

Table of contents:

  1. What is L2 cache?
  2. Where is L2 cache located?
  3. L2 Cache Size
  4. Check L2 Cache Size in your System
  5. L2 vs L1, L3 cache
  6. Conclusion

What is L2 cache?

L2 cache stands for Level 2 cache in a computer system. It is the cache that is placed on the processor chip but outside the CPU core. It is the second fastest cache in a system and is also, the second smallest cache in terms of size. L2 cache is significantly larger (at least 4 times) than L1 cache.

L2 cache is rarely shared among CPU cores in modern mainstream systems. Though there exists niche systems where L2 cache is shared between two CPU cores.

L2 cache is made up of Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) which is an expensive but efficient memory storage and is an alternative to DRAM. All caches are made up of SRAM.

The main points about L2 cache are:

  • L2 is the larger than L1 cache by 4 to 16 times while it is significantly smaller than L3 cache.
  • L2 cache is slower than L1 cache but is significantly faster than L3 cache.
  • L2 cache is placed in the processor chip but outside CPU core.
  • L2 cache is linked with L1 cache which is on the CPU core.
  • L2 cache is not shared among CPU cores. It is exclusive.

Where is L2 cache located?

L2 cache is placed in the same Microprocessor Chip. In early computers around 1980s, L2 cache was placed in the motherboard which was a performance bottleneck.

Following diagram illustrates the location of L2 cache compared to L1 cache:

L2 Cache (Level 2) (1)

This is the case with modern computers.

In early computers, L2 cache was placed in the motherboard which is a separate component from the processor chip. The processor chip used to connect with the L2 cache while L2 cache was connected with the Main Memory (DRAM). The design of modern computer provide better performance as access time of L2 cache is significantly reduced by placing it on-chip.

L2 Cache Size

Usually, the size of L2 cache range from 8KB to 512KB. Higher the L2 cache size, Higher is the System Performance in general.

Following table lists the L2 cache size of different production systems:

L2 cache size per core

Size in KB (Kilo Byte)
Intel IceLake524 KB
Intel CooperLake1 MB
Intel CascadeLake1 MB
Intel Skylake256 KB
Intel Gracemont0.5 MB
Ryzen Threadripper 1950X512 KB
AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400G512 KB
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X512 KB

Check L2 Cache Size in your System

To find the total L2 Cache available in your system, use the following command in terminal:

lscpu

It will provide several information including the L2 cache size. A part of the output:

...L2 cache: 512KB...

So, from the above output, the size of L2 cache is 512KB.

To know how L2 cache is organized in the system along with the placement of L1 and L3 cache, use the following commands:

lstopo

OR

lstopo-no-graphics

This will give the complete Cache Infrastructure/ topology of the system. A part of the output will be like:

L3 L#1 (4MB) L2 L#12 (64KB) + L1d L#12 (16KB) + L1i L#12 (16KB) + Core L#12 PU L#12 (P#12) L2 L#13 (64KB) + L1d L#13 (16KB) + L1i L#13 (16KB) + Core L#13 PU L#12 (P#13) L2 L#14 (64KB) + L1d L#14 (16KB) + L1i L#14 (16KB) + Core L#14 PU L#12 (P#14) L2 L#15 (64KB) + L1d L#15 (16KB) + L1i L#15 (16KB) + Core L#15 PU L#12 (P#15)

So, from the above information, we see that in this particular system, a single L2 cache of size 64KB is exclusive to one CPU core only.

So, there are two L2 cache size that can be reported:

  • Total L2 cache size in system: 512KB
  • L2 cache size per core: 64KB
  • Total number of L2 caches = 512/64 = 8
  • As each CPU core has exclusive L2 cache, so number of CPU cores in system = 8.

Differences between L2 and L1, L3 cache

The Differences between L2 and L1, L3 cache are:

  • L2 cache is exclusive to a CPU core while L3 cache is shared among multiple CPU cores. L2 cache is similar to L1 cache in this aspect.
  • L2 cache size >> L1 cache size.
  • L2 cache size <<< L3 cache size.
  • L2 is located in a processor chip but outside CPU core while L1 is placed inside CPU core and L3 cache is outside processor chip.
  • L1 cache is divided into two parts: Instruction and Data. On the other hand, L2 and L3 cache are used for Data only.

Following table summarizes the differences between L1, L2 and L3 cache:

L1 vs L2 vs L3 cache

Differences between L1, L2 and L3 cache
SpeedL1 > L2 > L3
SizeL3 > L2 > L1
SharingL3 is shared among CPU cores
L1, L2 is not shared.
Data, Instruction cacheL1 is both data and instruction.
L2, L3 is only data cache
LocationL1 is in CPU core
L2: in chip, outside CPU core
L3 outside chip

Conclusion

With this article at OpenGenus, you must have a strong idea of L2 cache and how it compares to other standard cache in the system like L1 and L3 cache.

L2 cache is critical for the overall performance of system and there is constant improvement in L2 cache as Computing Devices mature.

L2 Cache (Level 2) (2024)

FAQs

L2 Cache (Level 2)? ›

(Level 2 cache) A memory bank

memory bank
A memory bank is a logical unit of storage in electronics, which is hardware-dependent. In a computer, the memory bank may be determined by the memory controller along with physical organization of the hardware memory slots.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Memory_bank
built into the CPU chip, packaged within the same module or built on the motherboard. The L2 cache feeds the L1 cache, which feeds the processor. L2 memory is slower than L1 memory.

What is a Level 2 cache memory? ›

L2 cache, is a type of static RAM memory used by the central processing unit. It stores frequently used data and instructions. The purpose of caches is to speed up data access for the CPU by avoiding the slower RAM memory accesses.

What is L2 cache good for? ›

An L2 cache is a type of CPU cache that is located between the CPU and main memory. The L2 cache is used to store frequently accessed data that is not currently in use by the CPU.

What is a cache level 2? ›

The CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People prepares learners who have no recent or little experience in working in an early years childcare setting to prepare them for future learning and training as well as providing practical skills.

What does L2 cache do in GPU? ›

L2 Cache - is a further on-chip cache for retaining copies of the data that travel back and forth between the SMs and main memory.

What is L2 cache level 2? ›

A level 2 cache (L2 cache) is a CPU cache memory that is located outside and separate from the microprocessor chip core, although, it is found on the same processor chip package.

Is L2 cache faster than RAM? ›

Cache memory operates between 10 to 100 times faster than RAM, requiring only a few nanoseconds to respond to a CPU request. The name of the actual hardware that is used for cache memory is high-speed static random access memory (SRAM).

Is L2 cache private? ›

In practice, the upper-level cache L1 (or sometimes L2) is implemented as private and lower-level caches are implemented as shared.

Why is L2 cache slower? ›

The second-level (L2) cache is also built from SRAM but is larger—and, therefore, slower—than the L1 cache. The processor first looks for the data in the L1 cache. If the L1 cache misses, the processor looks in the L2 cache. If the L2 cache misses, the processor fetches the data from main memory.

How do I increase my L2 cache? ›

Given the same core, more L2 cache typically improves performance between two otherwise like processors depending upon what software is run. For example, if you are running software that is optimized to the smallest cache size, then adding more cache won't improve performance much.

Is cache level 2 recognised? ›

It is a recognized qualification by Ofqual- Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, in England. And it is an accredited qualification on the RQF- Regulated Qualification Framework. All Cache courses, Award, Certificates and Diplomas are highly recognized in the industry.

What level of cache is better? ›

Level 1 (L1) is the fastest type of cache memory since it is smallest in size and closest to the processor. Level 2 (L2) has a higher capacity but a slower speed and is situated on the processor chip.

What is the use of second-level cache? ›

A second-level cache is a local store of entity data managed by the persistence provider to improve application performance. A second-level cache helps improve performance by avoiding expensive database calls, keeping the entity data local to the application.

What is the benefit of L2 cache? ›

With typical hit rates for L1 and L2 caches the addition of an L2 cache can reduce the average memory access time by a factor of 2-4. The average hit rate for an L2 cache is closely dependent on its size and the memory footprint of the application.

How much L2 cache is good? ›

You can figure this out by dividing the total amount by the number of cores in the CPU. 256KB of L2 cache per core is perfectly acceptable, but gamers might want to look for 512KB per core.

Is L2 cache shared between all cores? ›

The L2 cache is usually not split, and acts as a common repository for the already split L1 cache. Every core of a multi-core processor has a dedicated L1 cache and is usually not shared between the cores. The L2 cache, and higher-level caches, may be shared between the cores.

What is the difference between L1 and L2 cache? ›

The first-level (L1) cache is small enough to provide a one- or two-cycle access time. The second-level (L2) cache is also built from SRAM but is larger—and, therefore, slower—than the L1 cache. The processor first looks for the data in the L1 cache.

Which is faster level 1 or level 2 cache? ›

L1 cache has extremely fast transfer rates, but is very small in size. The processor uses L1 cache to hold the most frequently used instructions and data. L2 cache is bigger in capacity than L1 cache, but slower in speed. It is used to hold data and instructions that are needed less frequently.

What is L1 L2 L3 and L4 cache memory? ›

L1 is low capacity but extremely fast, L2 is slower but has more storage space, and L3 is the slowest of the three but also usually has the biggest storage capacity. Modern computer processors all use a multi-level cache memory system that allows data to be temporarily stored on the chip for quick access.

What is the difference between level 1 cache and level 2 cache as used in computer organization 2 marks? ›

L1 cache is closest to the actual CPU core, has the highest speed and the smallest capacity. Generally, it is dedicated to a single CPU core. L2 cache is outside of the L1 cache, is slower and has a larger capacity. On many, but not necessarily, dedicated to a single CPU core.

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