Cache Memory vs. Register: Know the Difference between Cache Memory and Register
Both of these basically hold data, but there is a significant difference between cache memory and register. The cache memory stores all the frequently used data and instructions of a device in it. Thus, it speeds up the overall performance and process of the computer. The register, on the other hand, only holds a piece of info, such as a computer instruction or the storage address of any particular information, etc.
In this article, we will dig deeper into the difference between the Cache memory and Register. Read ahead to learn more.
What is Cache?
The cache is a very small yet fast component present in a computer system that you can find between the main memory and the CPU. For this arrangement to be effective enough, the cache has to be very fast as compared to the main memory. The approach for such an arrangement is very economical for fast memory devices, as they can implement the main memory easily while increasing its speed of performance.
What is Register?
A register is the smallest element for data holding. It is built-in directly in a processor, and thus, the registers act as certain memory locations that a processor can directly access in a computer. An individual register can hold a very small amount of data (it might be around 32 to 64 bits in size), an instruction, the storage addresses of data, or any other form of data, such as individual characters and bit sequences.
Examples: Program counter, Address register, Instruction register, Accumulator register, and many more.
Difference between Cache Memory and Register
Let us talk about the differences between Cache Memory and Register. To make this topic more understandable and clear, we are comparing both of the terms based on their individual characteristics in a table.
| Parameters | Cache Memory | Register |
| Definition | Cache is the fastest and smallest component of memory in a computer system. | The registers are fast storage elements present in a very small amount in the computer processor. |
| Data Stored | The recently used info/data of a computer gets stored in the cache. | The data that the computer’s CPU is currently processing gets stored in the registers. |
| Used by CPU | The CPU utilises a cache for detecting the data that was stored previously. | The CPU utilises registers for processing all the data and info that is new. |
| Location | We can locate the cache of a system on its motherboard or inside the CPU. | The registers form a part of a computer device’s CPU. |
| Data Processing | It stores data in a processed form. | It stores data in an unprocessed form. |
| CPU Memory Access Speed | The CPU of a system can access the cache memory much faster than that of the register memory. | When operating on registers, a CPU can operate on its contents at a rate of multiple operations in a single clock cycle. |
| Examples | Database Query Cache, Dynamic Page Cache, etc., are a few examples of Cache memory. | The loop is an example of the registers. |
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