When the processor needs an instruction or data, it searches memory in this order: L1 cache, then L2 cache, then L3 cache (if it exists), then RAM - with a greater delay in processing for each level it must search.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is the typical memory hierarchy in a computer system. The processor checks the cache memory first because it is faster to access than RAM. If the required data is not found in cache, it goes to the next level of cache or RAM, which has a slightly longer access time.

When the Processor Needs an Instruction or Data, It Searches