Cache memory is a relatively small amount of high speed memory that resides very close to the CPU. It supplies the CPU with the most frequently requested data and instructions. This is because retrieving information from the cache memory takes a fraction of time lesser when compared to that taken from main memory. Thus it saves a lot of time. Most of the cache memory  is incorporated into the processor chip itself. But other means such as on the motherboard or a cache socket near CPU are also possible. Cache components are assigned levels based on how close they work with the processor.  For simple example a cache labeled level one is closest to the computer. Level 2 comes next and so on. Computers also have other types of caching other than cache memory. Sometimes main memory is used as cache for hard drive. Thus the term cache refers to all storage technologies used and not specifically just a memory.

Every year a new technology crops up here and there. Although the existing systems are faster than the most capable human brains ,the desire to take it to the next level still remains. The processor speeds have kept on increasing over the past decade. Increase in processor sped improves the overall performance of the system. One must not forget that processor is only one part of the system. There are various other parts which make the entire computer to work properly. All the information in the CPU to be processed must be written to or read from the memory. Hence overall performance is affected by how fast information can travel between main memory and CPU. The use of faster processors does make this process faster. But one must also have ample memory at one’s disposal incase a need for excess memory crops up. The general notion is that more than half the memory of a system must be free for greater speeds.

It has been proven that adding memory to a system improves the performance. If there isn’t enough room for all the information the CPU needs then the computer has to set up a virtual memory file. In doing so, the CPU reserves space on the hard disk to simulate additional RAM. This process is known as swapping. It slows down the system considerably. The CPU popularly known as the brain of the computer is what actually controls all operations and governs the computations. It gives signals which tell how the information is to travel between processor and other components. The memory controller is part of the chipset and it establishes data flow between memory and CPU. A bus is the data path in a computer consisting of parallel wires to which the CPU, memory and all input and output devices are connected. The design of the bus or the bus architecture determines how fast data can move across the motherboard.