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One of the factors that determine the effectiveness of the cache memory is spatial locality. Since most programs are highly sequential in nature, the proceeding instruction comes from the cache memory that is next in line. Also, a system cache memory cannot function well unless highly contiguous locations are used for increasing memory speed. Another factor that affects the functioning of Windows cache memory is the structure of the program. Many programs that are commonly used on personal computers have short loops. Nested loops are common in the innermost parts of the memory. This means that several options can be performed on exactly similar data values. Similarly, it is possible for the system to work with l2 cache memory variables that are understood to be similar. The main l2 cache memory can easily be used to store both the values used in the operation and the address. The type of Windows cache memory where the address is stored is known as associative caching memory. The property of associative memory is such that it is highly addressable. When a certain value is presented to the caching memory, the specific address of that value is returned if and only if the value in question is stored in the cache memory. If this is not the case, an indication is sent to the effect that the value does not exist in the associative memory. All these comparisons are made in a very simultaneous sequence; therefore the results are displayed very quickly. The problem with this kind of cache memory is that it is very expensive, reason being that every memory location must have both a storage element and a fully functional comparator. To implement a cache memory, an associative memory can be used together with a mere block of ordinary CPU cache memory. The associative memory is meant for holding information about the address of the data that is stored in cache memory. Then the ordinary address is meant for the data that is at that address. In case the address is not available in the computer's associated memory, then the value can only be obtained from the main cache memory.
