memory hierarchy


memory hierarchy

[′mem·rē ′hī·ər‚är·kē] (computer science) A ranking of computer memory devices, with devices having the fastest access time at the top of the hierarchy, and devices with slower access times but larger capacity and lower cost at lower levels.

memory hierarchy

The levels of memory in a computer. From fastest to slowest speed, they are:

1. CPU registers
2. L1 cache
3. L2 cache
4. Main memory
5. Virtual memory
6. Disk