backside cache


backside cache

(hardware, processor)An implementation of secondary cachememory that allows it to be directly accessed by the CPU.

Backside cache is used by Apple Computers, Inc. in theirPowerPC G3 processor. Previous PowerPC processors used thesystem bus to access both secondary cache and main memory.In the PowerPC G3 a dedicated bus handles only CPU/cachetransactions. This bus can operate faster than the system busthus improving the overall performance of the processor.

The term apparently derives from the relocation of thesecondary cache from the motherboard to the processor carditself, i.e. on the backside of the processor card.

backside cache

A level 2 memory cache that has a dedicated channel to the CPU, enabling it to run at the full speed of the CPU. See inline cache and lookaside cache.