What is cache?

[computernewb]

Is higher cache faster speed? is there a big difference between a 64 cache and a 16 cache? thanks :lol:

 

[buzznut]

Is higher cache faster speed? is there a big difference between a 64 cache and a 16 cache? thanks :lol:

Depends on which cache you're referring to, but generally more cache is better. The system cache is a section of hard drive that is reserved for when the system fills up ram. The cache on a CPU is the space where it will store some data for number crunching that is low latency since it is onboard as opposed to retrieving data from memory through the system bus which is slower.

 

[nikorr]

Is higher cache faster speed? is there a big difference between a 64 cache and a 16 cache? thanks :lol:

It is on the HDD, but only till the transfer will fill the cache on the HDD, than it will slow down.

If that's what u are referring to.

 

[Paperdoc]

Cache is actually RAM (memory) dedicated to a particular use, and extra - NOT part of your computer's RAM. From your post, I'm sure you are talking about cache on a hard drive (HDD), and that's on the printed circuit board of the HDD itself. It is used for temporary storage of data going to and from the HDD platters, and it's all managed by the HDD unit so it's virtually "invisible" to the computer. Windows knows nothing about it - the HDD just works.

Yes, 64 MB of cache is much better than 16 MB on a HDD. It makes data access on the drive faster. In general, 16 MB is the minimum you want to have, 32 MB is significantly better, and 64 MB is a bit better than 32.

 

[computernewb]

Cache is actually RAM (memory) dedicated to a particular use, and extra - NOT part of your computer's RAM. From your post, I'm sure you are talking about cache on a hard drive (HDD), and that's on the printed circuit board of the HDD itself. It is used for temporary storage of data going to and from the HDD platters, and it's all managed by the HDD unit so it's virtually "invisible" to the computer. Windows knows nothing about it - the HDD just works.

Yes, 64 MB of cache is much better than 16 MB on a HDD. It makes data access on the drive faster. In general, 16 MB is the minimum you want to have, 32 MB is significantly better, and 64 MB is a bit better than 32.

ok thanks