ABSTRACT
L1 cache n. A zero-wait state cache located onboard
the microprocessor. See also cache memory, L2 cache.
L2 cache n. A cache that requires a few wait states, located between the L1 cache and main memory (or L3 cache, if any). The sad fact is that processors are much faster than memory; main memory accesses in a PC require 50 to 100 wait states or more. Zero-wait cache is hugely expensive, so most desktop systems have a mix of L1, slower L2, and sometimes even slower L3 cache. See also cache memory, L1 cache.
