backside cache

backside cache

   <hardware, processor> An implementation of {secondary cache}
   memory that allows it to be directly accessed by the {CPU}.

   Backside cache is used by {Apple Computers, Inc.} in their
   {PowerPC G3} processor.  Previous PowerPC processors used the
   {system bus} to access both secondary cache and {main memory}.
   In the PowerPC G3 a dedicated bus handles only {CPU}/cache
   transactions.  This bus can operate faster than the system bus
   thus improving the overall performance of the processor.

   The term apparently derives from the relocation of the
   secondary cache from the {motherboard} to the processor card
   itself, i.e. on the backside of the processor card.

   (1998-09-10)