Why is cache memory divided into different levels, but RAM is not?
In all computer architecture books we study that Cache memory could be divided into 3 levels (L1,L2 and L3) and its very beneficial to do so. Why don't we use the same approach in case of main memory (RAM). Is there any particular reason that we avoid this?
Cache memory is held in the motherboard and processor(CPU). With a plethora of different types of apps and data, there needs to be differing levels to the cache that a computer stores. RAM operates on a case-by-case basis which is why it is described as dynamic in most cases. There is not enough depth to the RAM to have differing levels. RAM is constantly changing and it would be inefficient to have levels. Cache is much faster than RAM because it is much more closely tied to the processor which is what makes things happen in your computer. Your CPU will always be faster than your RAM. RAM is able to juggle a lot of data at once but there is no guarantee that is can be fast or last as long as cache. Hope this explanation helped!
