Which memory is fastest and located very close to the CPU?
Cache Memory
Computer memory is organised in a hierarchy based on speed and proximity to the CPU: registers → cache memory → RAM → secondary storage.
Cache Memory is a small, extremely fast memory that sits between the CPU and the main memory (RAM). It stores copies of frequently accessed data and instructions so the CPU does not have to fetch them from the slower RAM every time. Cache is physically integrated on or very close to the CPU chip (L1, L2, and L3 cache levels).
A Pen Drive (USB flash drive) is external secondary storage — much slower than cache or RAM and physically detached from the CPU.
A Hard Disk is also secondary storage; it is the slowest among the options listed and is not located close to the CPU.
A CD-ROM is optical secondary storage — even slower than a hard disk for random access and physically separate from the CPU.
Hence, the memory that is fastest and located very close to the CPU is Cache Memory.
Similar Questions
- Which of the following is an example of non-volatile memory?:
- Which of the following is NOT a property of ROM (Read Only Memory)?
- 100 nibbles are equal to ______ bits.
- Which among the following is the largest unit of memory of a computer system?
- 1 EB is equal to ________.
- Which is the primary memory of a computer?
- Where is the cache memory located?
- Which of the following is a volatile memory?
- Non-volatile memory is a type of computer memory that can retain stored information even when the computer is:
What does RAM stand for in a computer system?
Important Questions from Memory
One Exabyte is equal to ______.
Which of the following needs to be refreshed to retain data even when power is on (electric current flows)?
Which of the following has the highest storage?
Which storage medium has tracks and sectors?
The actual timing signals that govern the transfer of data between input unit, processor, memory and output units are generated by the ________ and the ______ stores the processed data.
