Memory Hierarchy: Principles of Operation

• At any given time, data is copied between only 2 adjacent levels:

  • Upper Level (Cache) : the one closer to the processor
    • Smaller, faster, and uses more expensive technology
  • Lower Level (Memory): the one further away from the processor
    • Bigger, slower, and uses less expensive technology

• Block:

  • The minimum unit of information that can either be present or not present in the two level hierarchy

Lower Level

(Memory)

Upper Level

(Cache)

To Processor

From Processor

Blk X

Blk Y

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