Cache
Small, fast memory inside a CPU that stores recently-used data and instructions. L1 is fastest and smallest; L3 is largest and shared across cores. Cache size meaningfully impacts gaming and database workloads.
CPU cache sits between the cores and main memory (DRAM), buffering data the cores will likely need next.
Hierarchy
- L1 — 32–64 KB per core, ~1 ns access.
- L2 — 512 KB–2 MB per core, ~3 ns.
- L3 — 8–192 MB shared, ~12 ns.
- DRAM — gigabytes, ~80 ns.
Why it matters
A workload that fits in L3 runs 5–10× faster than one that spills to DRAM. AMD's X3D parts (Ryzen 7800X3D, 9800X3D, 9950X3D) stack 64–96 MB of extra cache — the gaming-best CPUs of their generation, frequently 15–25% faster than non-X3D siblings in CPU-bound titles.
Cache vs clock
For gaming, cache often beats raw clock speed. For sustained multithreaded workloads, clocks and core count win.
How to use Cache in a real comparison
Small, fast memory inside a CPU that stores recently-used data and instructions. L1 is fastest and smallest; L3 is largest and shared across cores. Cache size meaningfully impacts gaming and database workloads. In practice, this is most useful as one part of a decision rather than a standalone quality badge. Compare it alongside the workload, room, ecosystem, budget, and ownership constraints that apply to you; the strongest published figure is not automatically the best outcome for every buyer.
What to check next
On vsMars, read together so the value has product-specific context. It is especially relevant in .
Avoid the one-number trap
Manufacturers can describe the same capability under different conditions. Compare like-for-like variants, check the unit and test condition where available, and use a head-to-head page to see whether a measurable difference is material for your own use.
vsMars presents structured catalog values to make trade-offs legible. The linked product and spec pages are the right place to inspect the underlying values before buying.