Does CPU Cache Size Affect FPS in Games? (L3 Cache Explained)
What CPU Cache Is and Why It Matters
Cache is a basically small part of the storage which is ultra-fast. It is built-in memory directly into the processor. It basically stores the frequently accessed data. So the CPU will not always find it out and fetch it from the storage and due to which the Computer becomes slow.If we talk about its usage in the gaming field,then this short memory stores the game logics and physical calculations as well as the AI behaviors. The reason behind to store frequently accessed data is that the faster the CPU will access it, the more smoother the interface of the gameplay will feel. Cache memories reduces the latency and keeps the CPU always fast.
When the cache memory is insufficient, the system stores the data in other memory junctions, but due to this, the speed of the CPU becomes low and user waits longer for the data, and this does not give a smoother gameplay, and the performance dips are observed. While going with the cache memory, the clock speed and the cores also matters. Cache usually plays an important but hidden role in all the fields. Cache is the reason behind a fast CPU processes, workloads especially in modern FPS games.
Understanding L1, L2, and L3 Cache Differences
Basically, in CPU, the cache memory is divided into three basic parts. These are the L1, L2, and L3. L1 cache is the smallest but fastest memory in the system unit. This memory is dedicated to the CPU, where L2 memory is slightly larger but a little bit slower than the L1 cache memory, and it is also the CPU core specific. L3 cache is the largest memory and quite slower than both of them, and it’s shared across all cores.
| CPU | Cache | FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Low | Low |
| Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Large | High | High |
| Ultra | VeryHigh | VeryHigh |
For most of the games, L3 cache is used because it allows multiple cores to access the shared data quickly without any delay. When the game’s instructions bounce from one to two or two to three caches, L3 prevents repeated accessing. L3 cache memory reduces bottlenecks, which helps us to deliver a smooth FPS, better frame consistency, and a good gaming experience.
Impact of Cache Size on 1% Lows and Frame Time Stability
Average FPS doesn’t tell the full story behind the performance. Cache memory is strongly responsible for average or even low FPS. Cache size affects the 1% lows and the frame time fluctuation. When the cache memory is small and fully fetched, then the frequently used tasks are temporarily stored in other memories. And when a system fetches those from the memory, it gives a delay due to which the frame time graph spikes up and down.
These spikes result in microstuttering, screen lagging, delayed response that are more worse than the low FPS. L3 cache smooths these type of problems by large capacity. If there is a large capacity, more data will be stored and then all the frequently accessed data will be in larger L3 cache. This will help us to get a good gaming experience, more frame consistency, and a lag-free game. Competitive players have larger L3 cache because stable frame times improve aiming and precisions.
Key Ways CPU Cache Size Affects FPS
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Reduces memory latency during gameplay
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Improves average FPS in CPU-bound games
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Stabilizes 1% and 0.1% low FPS
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Minimizes frame-time spikes
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Enhances performance in multiplayer matches
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Improves AI and physics calculation speed
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Reduces CPU wait time for RAM access
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Benefits open-world and large-map games
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Improves responsiveness in competitive FPS
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Increases efficiency of multi-core workloads
Why Clock Speed Alone Doesn’t Guarantee Higher FPS
High clock speed improves the performance, but we cannot say that the clock speed alone will guarantee higher FPS. FPS is dependent of many things, so a alone clock speed cannot maintain it. Clock speed cannot be held responsible for cache limitations. A fast CPU that mostly waits for the data to be accessed from the RAM is not good and the disadvantage is that it will give delayed response.
Cache memory ensures that clock cycles are spent doing the useful work and using the short path or the fastest path. This is the reason that explains why some of the CPUs which have lower clock speed but higher cache memory outperforms many of the CPU in games. Efficiency of the cache memory determines that how responsively and effectively a system center processing unit converts the clock speed into the real gain in FPS. Gaming performance depends on the balance between the devices, components, softwares, and the hardwares. Not only the high-end devices is the solution for high FPS and a good gameplay.
Open-World and Multiplayer Games vs Cache Requirements
The open-world, multiplayer, battlefield, championship and battleground games place a heavy load on whole computer and comparatively it has more load on CPU and GPU than other devices. Although cache is totally responsible for running such heavy games which require instant fetching of the data, that is frequently used such as the user’s costumes, gun skins, the maps, and other armours. These games stream many assets dynamically, many entities, complex AI behaviors, user behavior, and all other voice chatting simultaneously.
Larger L3 cache helps us to fetch and process more data frequently which is often used and it is responsible for accessing this data globally. Without enough cache, performance will drop. There will be delayed response. Users will suffer during the intense movements, combat, and large events. On the other hand, multiplayer games also require regular calculations delivered instantly. This increases the cache usage and that’s why the cache size is held responsible in competitive battleground and championship games.
Final Verdict
Lower and used-up cache memory can also be the one reason of your system’s low FPS, so upgrade it to a higher storage to get a good balanced and a well-performing gaming atmosphere.
