What is the difference between L1 and L2 cache??

Question

what is the difference between L1 and L2 cache??....where r they physically located??......this is driving me nuts.....

Answer 1

Multi-level caches generally operate by checking the smallest Level 1 cache first; if it hits, the processor proceeds at high speed. If the smaller cache misses, the next larger cache is checked, and so on, before main memory is checked.

Multi-level caches introduce new design decisions. For instance, in some processors (like the Intel Pentium 2, 3, and 4, as well as most RISCs), the data in the L1 cache may also be in the L2 cache. These caches are called inclusive. Other processors (like the AMD Athlon) have exclusive caches — data is guaranteed to be in at most one of the L1 and L2 caches

Answer 2

That's a good resource listed above, but if you don't have time, a basic difference is the location. The L1 cache is stored within the housing of the CPU while the L2 cache is more commonly found, near the CPU, on the motherboard. Another important difference is that the L1 cache has a smaller amount of memory and the L2 has a larger amount. On some processors and motherboards, there is even L3 cache with an even larger amount of memory.

Answer 3

both are usually located on the processor unless you are talking about L2 cache for a pentium 1 CPU or something L1 cache is very small but very fast L2 cache is fast and big but not as fast as L1 cache

Answer 4

Here is the ultimate explanation of L1, and L2 Cache
http://www.everythingcomputers.com/PCS/chapter.htm

Answer 5

1 is L1 and another is L2

Answer 6

both caches are located on the processor; the main
difference is size and speed.
the first level cache is quite small, but super fast und thus
super expensive. the second level cache is still faster than
common main memory, but not as fast as the 1st level cache.

actually, Intel Pentium can Celeron processors differ in their different 2nd level cache sizes (Celeron processors having half of it than regular Pentium ones).

Answer 7

They are located inside the microprocessor.