The primary distinctions among L1, L2, and L3 cache memory lie in size, speed, and location.
- L1 Cache: The smallest but fastest, L1 cache can be up to 100 times quicker than RAM. Each processor core has its own L1 cache, typically around 64KB.
- L2 Cache: Larger than L1, L2 cache is about 25 times faster than RAM. Like L1, it is dedicated to individual processor cores, usually ranging from 256KB to 512KB, with some reaching 1MB.
- L3 Cache: The largest in capacity, often 32MB or more, L3 cache is approximately twice as fast as system memory. Unlike L1 and L2, it is shared among processor cores and integrated into the CPU.