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Level 3 cache (L3 cache) is a processor cache level that can keep data closer to the CPU cores than system memory. In many processors it is a larger, shared cache checked after nearer cache levels—but the exact layout varies by processor. L3 means “third cache level”; it is not always the processor’s last cache level.
What does L3 cache do?
Processors use a hierarchy of caches to keep data they may need close to the cores that execute instructions. Cache access can avoid a trip to system memory, which is farther from the processor. In a common design, a core checks its nearer caches first; if the data is not there, a larger, more distant cache may be checked before memory.
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Intel’s 2015 Xeon memory-subsystem white paper illustrates this pattern: an LLC hit can supply requested data, while an LLC miss is serviced from memory. It is a useful example of the hierarchy, not a guarantee that every modern processor follows the same arrangement or that every workload benefits in the same way.
How L1, L2, and L3 cache fit together
The familiar labels indicate levels in a cache hierarchy. Typically, L1 is closest to a core and fastest, L2 is a larger middle level, and L3 is larger and farther away. The trade-off is that nearer caches tend to be smaller, while a larger cache can retain more data. Exact ordering and organization depend on the processor.
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- L1: Usually the smallest, nearest cache level.
- L2: Often a larger intermediate cache.
- L3: Often a larger cache beyond L1 and L2, sometimes shared by multiple cores.
- System memory: Used when the needed data is not found in the relevant cache hierarchy.
Is L3 cache the same as last-level cache?
No. L3 means Level 3; last-level cache (LLC) means the final cache level before memory. Intel defines L3 as “Level 3 Cache” in its Resource Director Technology documentation. Intel also describes L3 as typically the last cache on Core and Xeon processors, while some Atom examples have L2 as the LLC. So an LLC may be L3, but the terms are not interchangeable for every processor.
Is L3 cache shared by all CPU cores?
Often, L3 is shared across multiple cores, but the sharing boundary is determined by the design. A cache may be shared by a group of cores or a cluster rather than by every core in the processor. Nor is there necessarily a distinct L3 or LLC in every cluster.
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For example, Intel’s Core Processor Series 3 datasheet describes an LLC shared among the performance-cluster cores, while its low-power cluster has shared L2 but no LLC. The datasheet calls the LLC non-inclusive. This illustrates why a processor’s specific documentation matters more than a general rule about L3.
How much L3 cache does a processor have?
There is no universal L3 capacity. Cache size and policy depend on the processor family and, often, the specific model. These Intel examples show how much designs can differ; they are not general figures for all Intel processors or other vendors.
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| Intel example | Cache figure and organization | Source qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Xeon E5 v4 | 2.5 MB per core of shared, inclusive L3/LLC | Intel support article reviewed 2024-10-16 |
| Xeon Scalable | 1.375 MB per core of shared, non-inclusive LLC | Intel family comparison in the same article, reviewed 2024-10-16 |
| Core Processor Series 3 | Maximum LLC size of 3 MB per P-core | Intel datasheet page dated 2026-05-19; the page says a newer version is available |
The Xeon figures come from Intel’s cache-organization comparison. The Core Processor Series 3 figure is in the datasheet; check for the newer version before relying on that specification.
How to check a processor’s L3 cache
- Identify the exact processor model. A broad family name may not be enough to establish the cache capacity or organization of a particular SKU.
- Find the manufacturer’s processor-specific specification. Intel’s guide to finding L1, L2, and L3 cache size directs users to processor-specific information.
- Check what the specification calls the cache. Look for capacity, whether the cache is shared and which cores or clusters can access it, and any stated inclusion policy (inclusive, exclusive, or non-inclusive).
- Confirm the documentation is current. Datasheet pages can signal that a newer version exists, so use the latest manufacturer document available for the exact processor.
Intel notes that its CPU Information view does not provide cache-size information for every processor. If that view does not show the value, consult the processor-specific documentation rather than inferring it from a neighboring model.
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Does more L3 cache make a CPU faster?
Not by itself. A larger L3 cache can retain more data, but cache capacity alone does not establish how a processor will perform in a particular application. The result depends on the processor’s cache design and the workload, among other characteristics. When comparing CPUs, check the exact models’ specifications and consider the intended workload instead of treating L3 capacity as a standalone performance score.
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