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What is L3 Cache?

Janezzz
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I've always wondered what L3 Cache on CPU's is. What does it do for gaming and everyday use?

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 3.2 Ghz \\ Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX \\ RAM: Corsair 2x4 GB 1600 Mhz \\ GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 4 GB DDR5 \\ Storage: WD Caviar Blue 1 TB, 7200 RPM and an external WD Elements 1 TB HDD \\ PSU: Corsair VS650W \\ Case: Cooler Master K350 \\ Optical drive: Samsung R/W 24x \\ OS: Windows 10 64-bit \\ Keyboard/Mouse: Both DELL \\ Display: Samsung 28-inch TV 1080p 60 Hz \\ Phone: Samsung Galaxy S5 Electric Blue 16 GB

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You can think of it as RAM build into the CPU itself. Its super friking fast, and access times are VERY low since its on die. For everyday use and gaming, its not very important. Even an i3 amount of L3 is "enough". That being said, more is always better when it comes to cache.

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it's a cache, it's a memory for data that is likely to be used by the cpu

it's bigger and slower than L2

 

the bigger the better

You can think of it as RAM build into the CPU itself. Its super friking fast, and access times are VERY low since its on die. For everyday use and gaming, its not very important. Even an i3 amount of L3 is "enough". That being said, more is always better when it comes to cache.

Thank you for the explanation

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 3.2 Ghz \\ Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX \\ RAM: Corsair 2x4 GB 1600 Mhz \\ GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 4 GB DDR5 \\ Storage: WD Caviar Blue 1 TB, 7200 RPM and an external WD Elements 1 TB HDD \\ PSU: Corsair VS650W \\ Case: Cooler Master K350 \\ Optical drive: Samsung R/W 24x \\ OS: Windows 10 64-bit \\ Keyboard/Mouse: Both DELL \\ Display: Samsung 28-inch TV 1080p 60 Hz \\ Phone: Samsung Galaxy S5 Electric Blue 16 GB

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Skylake will have L4 cache on some models.

Very nice

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 3.2 Ghz \\ Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX \\ RAM: Corsair 2x4 GB 1600 Mhz \\ GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 4 GB DDR5 \\ Storage: WD Caviar Blue 1 TB, 7200 RPM and an external WD Elements 1 TB HDD \\ PSU: Corsair VS650W \\ Case: Cooler Master K350 \\ Optical drive: Samsung R/W 24x \\ OS: Windows 10 64-bit \\ Keyboard/Mouse: Both DELL \\ Display: Samsung 28-inch TV 1080p 60 Hz \\ Phone: Samsung Galaxy S5 Electric Blue 16 GB

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