CPU Cache
Memory on the processor die used as a cache to improve processor performance.
L1 cache
A motherboard with two or more processor sockets. A multisocket motherboard is typically used in a server. Also called dual processors or multiprocessor platform.
multisocket
The speed at which the processor operates internally, usually expressed in GHz.
processor frequency
The memory controller on a motherboard that can access only one DIMM at a time. Compare with dual channel, triple channel, and quad channel.
single channel
The most common type of system memory; it requires refreshing every few milliseconds.
dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Memory in the processor package but not on the processor die. The memory is used as a cache or buffer to improve processor performance. Also see Level 1 (L1) cache.
L2 cache
Two processing units installed within a single processor; first used by the Pentium processor.
multiprocessing
Each process that the processor is aware of; a thread is a single task that is part of a larger task or request from a program.
thread
A motherboard feature that improves memory performance by providing two 64-bit channels between memory and the chipset. DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 DIMMs can use dual channels.
dual channels
A chipset feature on a motherboard that checks the integrity of data stored on DIMMs or RIMMs and can correct single-bit errors in a byte. More advanced ECC schemas can detect, but not correct, double-bit errors in a byte.
ECC (error-correcting)
Cache memory that is further from the processor core than Level 2 cache but still in the processor package.
L3 cache
Two processor sockets on a server motherboard. Also see multisocket.
dual processors
A processor technology whereby the processor housing contains two or more processor cores that operate at the same frequency but independently of each other.
multicore processing
Technology used by a motherboard and DIMMs that allows the memory controller to access four DIMMS at the same time. DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 DIMMs can use quad channels.
quad channel
RAM chips that retain information without the need for refreshing, as long as the computer’s power is on; more expensive than traditional DRAM.
Static RAM (SRAM)