Consider the following statements about the cache memory: It is a no

Consider the following statements about the cache memory:

  • It is a non-volatile memory.
  • It is a slow-read and inexpensive memory.
  • It is a fast-read and expensive memory.
  • It is a small-sized memory.

Which of the above statements are correct?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
The correct answer is (B) 3 and 4 only. Cache memory is known for being very fast, expensive per unit of storage, and small in size compared to main memory (RAM). It is typically implemented using SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory), which is volatile.
– Statement 1: It is a non-volatile memory. This is incorrect. Cache memory is usually made of SRAM, which is volatile; it loses its contents when power is removed. Non-volatile memory includes ROM, Flash, SSDs, etc.
– Statement 2: It is a slow-read and inexpensive memory. This is incorrect. Cache is designed for fast access (fast-read) and is more expensive than main memory or secondary storage.
– Statement 3: It is a fast-read and expensive memory. This is correct. Cache memory is located closer to the CPU and is significantly faster than main RAM. This speed comes at a higher cost per bit.
– Statement 4: It is a small-sized memory. This is correct. Cache memory is much smaller than main memory due to its high cost and the need for speed (smaller size allows faster access).
Cache memory acts as a high-speed buffer between the CPU and main memory (RAM) to reduce memory access time. It stores frequently used data and instructions so that the CPU can retrieve them much faster than fetching them from RAM. There are typically multiple levels of cache (L1, L2, L3), with L1 being the smallest and fastest, and L3 being the largest and slowest among the cache levels, but still faster than RAM.
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