Difference Between Cache Memory and Register
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
The difference between cache memory and register is that cache memory is frequently used for instructions and data, which speeds up computer operations. While registers, which hold a single small piece of data in the processor, are likewise a component of a computer. An instruction for a computer or a storage address could be stored in a register.
Although these types of memory have a lot of similarities, there are a lot of difference between cache memory and register based on various parameters. Both these hold the data but a significant difference between cache memory and register is known.
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What is the Difference Between Cache Memory and Register?
The fundamental difference between cache memory and register is that a register stores data that the CPU is now processing, whereas a cache memory stores program instructions and data that a program needs to run.
Key Difference Between Cache Memory and Register
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Cache Memory |
Register |
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The cache memory in the computer is a compact and quick memory component. |
Registers are a small, quick storage component of the processor. Due to its lower size and close proximity to the CPU, it is quicker than cache memory. |
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Data is stored in processed form in cache memory. |
Data is stored in the unprocessed form in a register. |
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Cache memory costs less. |
It is more expensive than cache memory. |
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Memory is accessed by the CPU more quickly than by the register. |
More than one operation can be performed on the contents of a register by a CPU in a single clock cycle. |
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Cache memory is a memory unit. |
The register is located in the CPU. |
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To find previously stored data, the CPU makes use of a cache. |
Registers are used by the CPU to process all fresh data and information. |
What is Cache Memory?
After discussing the difference between cache memory and register, let us know more about cache memory in detail. Cache memory is a memory unit. The cache memory of a computer is a compact and quick memory component inserted between the CPU and the main memory. In order to make this setup work the cache memory must be quicker than the main memory. This is more cost-effective than implementing the complete main memory using fast memory devices.
What is Register?
The smallest data holding component integrated into the CPU is called a register. These are areas of memory that the CPU can access directly. It can store instruction, a storage location, or any type of data, such as a bit sequence or individual characters, and can hold a little quantity of data between 32 and 64 bits.
Registers are quick-access storage components. Within one CPU clock cycle, the processor accesses the registers. More than one action can be performed on the contents of the registers and the instructions that can be decoded by the processor in each CPU clock cycle. Therefore, we can conclude that the processor can access registers more quickly than the main memory.
