Intel smart cache: what is it, how does it work and what is it for?

Today we are going to tell you what Intel Smart Cache is , one of the terms that perhaps most sound to you about the blue team. We have been hearing this nickname since approximately 2011 , and the truth is that we now see it in any set of specifications of an Intel CPU . However, what is useful and what is marketing?

Index of contents

Intel Smart Cache, a new term for processor memory

For example , the unit structure of the cores in Intel processors greatly benefits the use of the cache. It is a more expensive structure to create, but it allows much more caching.

On the other hand, we have different internal algorithms that optimize the code read as long as the cache is much more efficient.

The clearest example is the idea of Caching Blocking (or using the cache by blocks). This algorithm seeks to divide large loops into smaller blocks (divide and conquer) .

To simplify it, we could say that instead of going from 1 to 10, 000, we will go from 1 to 10, 000 times.

Ten thousand values ​​do not fit in L1 cache memory, so for each new value we will have to “go down and look for it” up to DRAM . On the other hand, ten values ​​do fit in L1 , so we will only have to go down to DRAM 10 times. The eleventh value that we look for (a 1 again) we will find in cache L1 .

We can count dozens of technologies and optimizations like this and it is the small details that make Intel Smart Cache an interesting implementation.

The Evolution of Intel Smart Cache

With all this base already established, we have to place ourselves in the year 2009 ~ 2011 , where we begin to see more efficient processors.

The move to 2 and 4 cores had occurred recently, but there were still many problems for being a new technology. The architectures were new and a lot of data was lost or not used. On the other hand, consumption was astronomical and, in general, new ideas were needed to improve this platform.

However, the idea of ​​shared cache memory was already in the minds of many and it only remained to implement it correctly. We were able to see some previous models with similar applications, but possibly Intel Smart Cache was established as the most reliable and stable alternative.

The most important models that began to share cache memory were the Intel Core of the first generations. They barely had 2 or 3 MB of cache memory between the three levels, but we already saw the first implementations of this "technology" there . In fact, in the same Intel article you can see how they constantly make comparisons with processors with unshared caches.

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Over time, the natural evolution of technology allowed us to add faster memories, more quantity and better algorithms. Today, the top user-oriented models average 12 ~ 16MB like the Intel Core i9-9900k or i7-9700k .

Intel Processor Performance

It is not news that Intel has been performing very well in recent years.

With the release of their new Intel Core they marked the way forward for future CPU models. They had excellent single-core performance, good multi-core performance and we had it clearly organized into three separate ranges. From the mid-2000s to mid-2018, we could say without hesitation that Intel has dominated the market.

Despite this, in recent years we have seen how it has been relaxing more than necessary, taking out models with few novelties that only offered “a little more” . For its part, AMD has been gradually building a solid foundation such as Ryzen processors today .

Because of the structure AMD uses, its processors need and benefit from having large amounts of cache memory. So much so that the most top desktop model will carry around 72 MB of cache and expect up to 128 MB (compare them to the 16MB of the i9) . However, more memory does not directly mean better performance.

Despite having much less cache memory, Intel processors are still nearly as or more powerful than their AMD counterparts. The most notable task is performance in gaming, where these processors put out chest with apparently lower specifications.

On the other hand, it is worth noting the response times of RAM memory . It has more to do with the structure of the processor architecture, but is somewhat interesting and related to the subject.

On average, AMD CPUs are known to have considerably higher response times than their competition. This is solved with support for higher frequency memories, but do not be fooled. Higher numbers don't mean better performance.

What does the future hold for caches?

Like many other things in life, the future is uncertain.

It doesn't seem like we have any alternative to caches, so it seems like we 'll be with them for a few decades. Of course, we can expect improvements in size, efficiency and algorithms that apply. It is not for nothing that technology is becoming more powerful, efficient and cheaper.

An issue that often comes to mind is that the competition between AMD and Intel is really unbalanced. The red team is slightly stronger than its blue competition, but we have to remember that AMD uses 7nm transistors and much higher RAM frequencies.

In other words, AMD is using two to three times more advanced technology than Intel , yet they only get a slight advantage over them. So what will happen when Intel reaches 7nm , knowing how much they squeeze and optimize their micro-architectures?

Be that as it may, we cannot see the alternative timelines. We currently know that Intel is a bit downed, but everything may change with the 10th Generation Intel processors.

It seems that things like Intel Smart Cache these days along with many other supporting technologies allow Intel to hold its own. Although it no longer has complete dominance, it is still an alternative that many users feel attached to.

Now tell us, what technology is the one that catches your attention the most from Intel? Do you think Intel Smart Cache makes any important difference? Share your ideas in the comment box.

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