What is L3 cache?

[mohanty1942]

I know about L1 & L2 cache.

Some newer Intel CPUs feature L3 cache.

What is this L3 ?

 

[babumuchhala]

This is wat i found out on googling

As more and more processors begin to include L2 cache into their architectures, Level 3 cache is now the name for the extra cache built into motherboards between the microprocessor and the main memory.

Quite simply, what was once L2 cache on motherboards now becomes L3 cache when used with microprocessors containing built-in L2 caches.

 

[allindrome]

L3 cache is then the extra cache that sits on the motherboard between the processor and main memory, since the processor already contains L1 and L2 cache. Some processors are starting to ship with L3 cache built-in as well to speed up memory operations further. In those cases the L3 cache often sits on a separate area of the die, not built directly into the chip core.

 

[mohanty1942]

I think you are wrong Mr babumuchhala.
You tell that L3 cache is built on the motherboard itself.

But you know Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition comes with 2 MB of L3 cache built on the processor !

Mr allindrome - you may be partially correct.