L2 Cache

Click on any underlined word to see its meaning. Words with ** before and after, are downloadable links. 

 

The Problem

The time your computer takes to retrieve information and load programs is directly related to where that information is stored in your computer.

Often the retrieval time can be longer than necessary.

 

The Solution

Cache (pronounced "cash") is a temporary storage location (much like a "cache of weapons" or a "cache of gold"). In terms of your computer, this is very important, because storing data in a cache can reduce the time which your computer spends in going to your hard disk and retrieving information about the application that you just launched. Your computer has several different cache locations as shown in the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Method
We're going to make sure your computer knows the correct size of your L2 cache. It's as easy as  A, B, C.

1. We'll find the correct size ourselves with a little program we're going to download.
2. We'll convert the size into "hexadecimal form" (something that the computer can read and understand)
3. We'll enter this new figure into the Windows registry, where the computer can find it.

 

• **Download this zipped file** by Left Clicking on  it.

• When asked where to save the file, save it to your desktop.

• Double click on it and then Click on "Extract" at the top of the new window (extract the new file to your desktop also)

• A new folder will appear on your desktop called, "cpu-z-128". Double Left Click on the Folder and then Double Left Click on "cpuz.exe"

• A screen like the one below will appear

• Look in the bottom right hand section called Cache and write down just the number in the Level 2 box (You don't need the "KBytes" part)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we know how much level 2 cache you have. Let's convert it to a hexadecimal number so your computer can understand it:

• Left Click on your Start menu and then click on Run
• Type the word calc and press OK. The calculator should appear
• Click on View at the top of the calculator, then click on  Scientific from the drop-down Menu. You should now see a screen similar to one shown below:
• Type the number you wrote down. It should appear in the text box of the calculator
• Left Click on the little circle to the left of Hex. The Number in the text box should change. Write down this new number and close the Calculator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You now have the number you are going to put into the Windows Registry:

• Left Click on the Start Menu and then Left Click on Run
• In the Text box, type in the word regedit and click on OK
• The Registry Editor Window will now appear, like the picture below (with all the folders closed)

• Open the following folders (by left clicking on the little + sign to the left of each folder).
• Each new folder will appear in the list to the right and below the last folder your clicked on:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE à SYSTEM à CurrentControlSet à Control à Session Manager à Memory Management

 

 

When you reach the Memory Management folder, click on it once and look in the list to the right, for an entry called SecondLevelDataCache (see below)

• Double Left Click on SecondLevelDataCache (a box entitled Edit DWORD Value will appear)
• In the value data box, enter the "Hex" number from the Calculator that you wrote down
• Left click on  OK
• Close the Registry editor by Left Clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the window

 

You're done!!